Festivals, Festivals and More Festivals This May Holiday

It’s official: Beijing is back baby! Rising from the ashes of Covid the capital is alive once again with so many events this May holiday that even the biggest social butterfly could not even attempt to attend them all. 

Among the numerous events taking place there is one theme that sticks out: festivals! From coffee festivals to beer festivals to tattoo festivals this weekend has them all, so let’s take a look at a few of the biggest ones.

Beijing Craft Beer Festival

Great news for beer lovers, you don’t need to wait until Oktoberfest because there's a big fest coming to the capital this weekend. They’ve got over 500 different craft beers on offer with local favorites like Great Leap, Arrow Factory, Wild Kite and Peiping Machine serving up their brews along with breweries from across China such as Shanghai Love, Tsingtao 1903 or Urbrew. 

Along with beer they’ll also have plenty of food vendors on site so that you can line your stomach and keep drinking! Plus if you’re inebriated enough to show off your moves they have a great DJ line up for each day. Purchasing a ticket for the festival will get you a wristband and a festival tasting glass on a lanyard. 

When: Apr 29-May 1, 2-10pm
Price: RMB 100
Where: Greenhouse 14, Shougang Park, 首钢园14号大棚
Click here to read more and purchase tickets

2023 Beijing Whisky Festival

If beer isn’t really your thing and you’re more of a whisky drinker then you're covered there as well! Whisky+ Beijing 2023 will have numerous different whisky brands for attendees to sample. Plus, there are also tickets available that include a whole bottle of whiskey to go. For whiskey enthusiasts who also want to learn more, there are 30 whiskey master classes happening over the duration of the event, these do need to purchased separately but most are only RMB 9.9. 

One very important thing to note about the Whisky+ is that it’s had a last minute change of location and will now be taking place at the Beijing International Convention Center, NOT at Shougang Park. So make sure you go to the right place or you’re going to end up at the Craft Beer Festival by mistake!

When: Apr 29-May 1, 1-6.30pm
Price: RMB 99
Where: Beijing International Convention Center, 北京国际会议中心
Click here to read more and purchase tickets 

Sanlitun Coffee Festival

For those looking for a less alcohol-fuelled May holiday or who just love a good ol’ cup of Joe, the Sanlitun Coffee Festival is back! They’ve got 80+ vendors and counting so there will be plenty of great options to choose from. As well as coffee vendors there will also be vendors serving up some snacks if you fancy a bite to eat.

When: Apr 29-May 3, 10.30am-9.30pm
Price: Early bird RMB 29, on site RMB 39
Where: Sanlitun Taikooli West Plaza, 三里屯太古里西区广场
Click here to read more and purchase tickets

Living With Coffee Festival

Yes, there is not one but two coffee festival happening during the May holiday. They’ve got 150+ vendors at the festival with everything from coffee to sake to delicious baked treats or ice cream. Plus this coffee festival is taking place at Shougang so if you’re at the Craft Beer Festival and need some sobering up you can just wonder over here and get a cup of coffee!

When: Apr 29-May 3, 10am-10pm
Price: Early bird RMB 39, on site RMB 49
Where: Blast Furnace 3, Shougang Park,首钢园3号高炉
Click here to read more and purchase tickets

Beijing SKIN Tattoo Bazaar Day

Although technically described as a bazaar not a festival, with the numerous vendors, on site tattoo studios and a stellar line up of six of Beijing’s best rock’n’roll bands it’s certainly giving festival vibes. If you’re looking to get inked there will be five tattoo studios at the bazaar or if you just want to do a bit of shopping they’ve got plenty of great local vendors selling their wares to choose from. 

When: Apr 29, 4pm-late
Price: Early bird RMB 78, on site RMB 98
Where: Xian Bar, East Hotel
Click here to read more

Strawberry Music Festival

Launched in Beijing in 2010, Strawberry Festival is China’s biggest rock festival. Now hosted over multiple dates in multiple cities it will be coming to Beijing, as per tradition, for the May holiday. This year they’ve got four different stages and 66 different groups of musicians/bands playing. Tickets for Apr 29 are no longer, but as of press time tickets are still available for Apr 30 and May 1. 

When: Apr 29-May 1, 1pm-late
Price: RMB 450
Where: Beijing Shiyuan Park, Yanqing District, 延庆区北京世园公园
Click here to read more and purchase tickets

Intro Urban Electronic Music Event

This electronic music festival will be showcasing 12 DJs across two days up in Langyuan Station. At the festival there will be a special INTRO Stage that uses 3D technology to create holographic images that will be mesmerizing to watch. Sponsored by Budweiser you can expect that there will be plenty of beer available to partake in. 

When: May 1-2, 2-10pm-late
Price: One day early bird RMB 180, one day on site RMB 240, two day early bird RMB 300
Where: Langyuan Station, 郎园Station
Click here to read more and purchase tickets

READ: Get Your Comedy Fix Over the May Holiday With Daily Shows

Images: courtesy of the venues, Unsplash