Season's Greetings: Beijing's 2016 Christmas Bazaar Guide

[Updated Dec 7, 10.30am]

The holidays are upon us again and before you grab that journal to jot down your New Year resolutions, you need to get your loved ones gifts. Thinking of gifts is usually stressful since you have probably already given them most of their favorite things, sneaked in one of yours so they can give the gift back to you (I am not saying I have ever done this), or they already have all they could possibly want. One perk of living in Beijing is the plethora of bazaars, fairs, and markets that run throughout the winter.

RELATED: Ready to get in the mood for Christmas? Click here to see all of our Christmas events!

Upcoming events

December 9-11: Penny's x Brewdog Christmas Doggie Cafe Pop-Up at Ramo
Join Brewdog, Penny's Food Studio, and Ramo for a Christmas Doggie Cafe pop-up at Ramo with snacks for four- and two-legged friends, including a new Brewdog release. Free. 10am-11pm. Ramo

December 10: The Hutong Winter Fayre
This fayre, which we are proud to sponsor, brings food and artisanal products to the hutongs for a spot of shopping. There a wide selection of different goods on sale, and there will also be hot mulled wine, chocolate, and baked goods on offer to satisfy those Christmas cravings. Applications are still being accepted for vendors, if interested, contact danielle@thehutong.com. Free. 11am-4pm. The Hutong

December 10: Christmas Market & Workshops at Zeit Berlin Bazaar
Zeit Berlin holds a Lifestyle Market selling books, toys, clothes, jewelry, crafts, accessory, housing stuff, and more, and other stalls involved in workshops, food, a lucky draw, crafts, vintage goods, and a kids bazaar. Free. 11am-6pm. Zeit Berlin

December 10: Christmas Charity Bazaar at Beijing Collegiate Academy
Enjoy indoor activities for all ages, student performances, over 20 Christmas shopping stalls and a visit from Santa at the Beijing Collegiate Academy International School's Christmas Charity Bazaar. Free. 10am-4pm. Beijing Collegiate Academy 

December 10-11: French Christmas Market
The Association Zero Distance is happy to invite you to the fourth rendition of the French Christmas Market in Beijing. Young and old can take advantage of the magic atmosphere, enjoy food tastings, shop for French crafts, and enjoy a visit from Santa. Free. 10am-9pm. Phoenix Center Mall Sanyuanqiao

December 11: Fangjia Hutong Christmas Market
This year’s Fangjia Hutong Christmas Market will offer a wide range of craft goods and food, with 30-plus stalls divided between six venues: Cartoccio, El Nido, Fang, Mimi e Coco, Ramo and Hot Cat Club. Rager Pie, Shangrila Farms, Miss Muesli, will be dishing up sweets to warm you up inbetween shopping for Christmas cards, handmade jewelry, cosmetics, home accessories, vintage clothes, pottery, organic dog food and a whole room dedicated to Loreli artists. Attendance is free but advance tickets can be bought for RMB 120, which can be exchanged on the day for goods to the value of RMB 200 at each of the six locations as well as at any vendor of choice. Free. 2-8pm. Fangjia Hutong

December 11: Canadian School Charity Bazaar
Enjoy a vast holiday bazaar with proceedings going to charity at the Liangmaqiao located Canadian international school. Free. 11am-4pm. Canadian International School of Beijing

December 13: A Dulwich Christmas
Join in DCB’s annual Christmas time festivities that features Christmas-themed gifts and trinkets on sale, Christmas foods including carved turkey, smoked ham, minced pies, fruit cake, apple cider, mulled wine, and more. This year’s celebrations will also include traditional Christmas carols by candlelight for all to join in. Free. 3-8pm. Dulwich College Beijing

December 14: Xmas Meet Market
Find gifts, food, and gluhwein at the Xmas Meet Market at 5LMeet. Expect to see Nani's Creations, Naturalistas, Safia Argan Oil, Open Siberia, AirVisual, Palmaen, Shangrila Farm, Liuba Draws, and more. RMB 10 (donation to MCF China). 5-9pm. 5LMeet

December 17-18, 24-25: Farm to Neighbors Christmas Market
Enjoy the Christmas rendition of the popular Farm to Neighbors market at the Grand Summit, scheduled the weekends before and during Christmas so you can do all of your last-minute shopping without stressing. Includes 50 hand-picked Christmas vendors and some of the regular local vendors. Free. 12-6pm. The Grand Summit

Events passed

Nov 14: Roundabout Holiday Bazaar
Kicking off the spending tree is Roundabout's Bazaar to help raise funds for their numerous charitable causes. There will be vendors selling high-end products and offering other services to sign up for. Free. 11am-4pm. Marriott Northeast

November 19: BSB Shunyi Christmas Fayre and German Market
Come and celebrate the festive seasons at BSB, Shunyi with a traditional German Christmas market organized by the Parents Association. There will be live performances from the school’s choirs and orchestras. Also available will be a photo op with Santa, various vendors, games, and activities for all ages. Free. 4-8pm. The British School of Beijing

November 26: German Christmas Charity Bazaar Beijing 2016
What would the end of the year be without the beloved traditional German Christmas Charity Bazaar? Thanks to the great supports of the sponsors, the tireless efforts of all helpers and a large attendance, last year a record donation sum could be achieved. This year the bazaar will once again become a festive Christmas destination for the whole family. For more information on how to get tickets, click here. RMB 100. 11am-6pm. German Embassy

November 26: The Beijing Flea Market: Holiday Edition
Get your Christmas shopping done early at Beijing's one-stop shop for all things made in Beijing. The Beijing Flea Market returns from noon to 6pm, with a curated selection of some of the best local, independent design and crafts from both established and emerging markets. There will also be food and drink and activities throughout the day. Free. Noon-6pm. The Bookworm

November 26: 3e Annual Charity Christmas Bazaar
Enjoy holiday feasting and bargain gift shopping at the 3e Annual Charity Christmas Bazaar. Free. 10am-noon. 3e International School

November 27: The Very Gift Bazaar Christmas Market
Christmas is coming soon and it’s time to lavish our beloved ones with beautiful presents! Head to Zarah on November 27 to find local handicrafts, handmade jewelry, Christmas cards, and homemade jams. Do come hungry because there will also be a delicious barbeque, Christmas cookies, and German lebkuchen as well as lots and lots of Gluehwine. Free. 10am-4pm. Zarah

November 27: Urban Hippie Presents the Loreli Affordable Art Market
Get your loved one's Christmas gifts while supporting the local creative community, it's a festive win/win with people selling photos, paintings, prints, and illustrations, and sets from Noise Arcade, ANXT, iii, and DJ sets from bass Ventura. Free. 1-5pm. Yue Space

December 3: BCIS and MCF Christmas Charity Bazaar
This joint bazaar between BCIS and Migrants Children’s Family is a fundraising event for MCF that features live performances, shopping, food, and mingling with friends and the wider BCIS and MCF community at the main BCIS campus. Free. 11am-3pm. Beijing City International School

December 3: WAB Charity Bazaar
The Western Academy of Beijing’s Charity Bazaar features hundreds of vendors offering homemade gifts, holiday food and drink, and dozens of unique items for sale. Proceeds from the event will go to assist several charity organizations, including the Chi Heng Foundation, supporting children affected by HIV in rural China through education. Free. 10am-3.30pm. Western Academy of Beijing

December 3: Hilton Beijing Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Charity Bazaar
Hilton Beijing once again celebrates the holidays with its Traditional European Christmas Train and Village from December 3 through to January 2017. The Christmas Village features a Giant Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and a children’s chorus from 5.50-6.30pm. There will also be over 70 bazaar booths (2-8pm) with all proceeds from sales going to support the Morning Tears Organization. Free. 2-8pm. Hilton Beijing

Part of this article first appeared on our sister website beijingkids here.

More stories by this author here.

Email: margauxschreurs@truerun.com
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Images courtesy of the organizers