Beijingle Bells: The Big List of 2014 Holiday Bazaars

Every November, bazaar season starts up again in Beijing. There have always seemed to be a disproportionate number of charity fairs held by schools, embassies, and bazaars, but this year is proving to be a doozy. Between now and Christmas, there will be tons of opportunities for you, and if you have one, the entire family, to pick up great gifts and seasonal treats, all while helping local charities.
 

Sat, Nov 15
River Garden Winter Holiday Bazaar
River Garden Villa in Shunyi hosts a European-style charity bazaar in its clubhouse lobby. Volunteers have brought together some of the best vendors from Beijing and beyond for great family shopping. Proceeds will go to local charities. Free. 10am-4pm. River Garden Clubhouse (8046 1918, management@rivergarden-villa.com)

Mon, Nov 17 and Tue, Nov 18
Embassy House Christmas Bazaar
Find gifts like silk scarves, jewelry, and more with proceeds benefiting selected charities. Free. 10am-4pm. Embassy House (8449 9000)

Sat, Nov 22
WAB Winter Charity Bazaar
Find vendors, food, and entertainment for the entire family with onsite babysitters and children’s activities for the little ones happy and lots of shopping for the grownups. All proceeds go to charity and the event is open to the entire community. Free. 10.30am-3.30pm. Western Academy of Beijing (5986 5588)

BSB Shunyi Christmas Fayre and German Market
Come and celebrate the festive season with a traditional German Christmas market organized by BSB Shunyi’s Parent Association. There will be musical contributions from the school choirs and orchestras. Children can enjoy a visit to Santa on his sledge, and have a photo taken with him. A variety of vendors will be selling gifts and decorations, with plenty of games for the children to enjoy. Free. 4-7.30pm. British School of Beijing, Shunyi (8047 3588)

Sun, Nov 23
2014 Rotary Charity Christmas Fair
The Rotary Club of Beijing’s annual charity bazaar features vendors selling handmade arts and crafts, health and beauty products, lifestyle and fashion wares, and unique gifts. There will also be games for kids, holiday music, great food, and charity auctions. Free. 10am-7pm. Conrad Beijing (admin@rotaryclub-beijing.org)

Mon, Nov 24
INN Monthly Meeting: Holiday Gifting Bazaar
To coincide with their November meeting, INN will be bringing together gift-giving ideas under one roof. With jewelry, skincare, beauty products, and gourmet food on sale, there will also be a chance to make new friends. RMB 50 (includes coffee, tea and pastries). 10am-noon. (contactus@innbeijing.org)

Sat, Nov 29
BCIS and MCF 2014 Christmas Bazaar
BCIS and the Migrant Children’s Foundation (MCF) are teaming up for a Christmas bazaar with lots of vendors, family-friendly games and activities, and a full stage show. All money raised will be donated to MCF, which provides health check-ups for migrant children in Beijing. Free. 11am-3pm. BCIS Early Childhood Center (6770 0766)  

German Embassy Christmas Bazaar
Bringing German tradition and Christmas spirit to Beijing, this popular annual bazaar supports a number of local charities in and around Beijing. Taking place on the first Advent weekend, there will be a full day of festivities. Open to foreign passport holders only (bring your passport for admission). Free. 11am-5pm. German Embassy (contact@christmasbazaar-beijing.com)

Hilton Beijing Christmas Charity Bazaar
For the 20th year in a row, Hilton Beijing is a having a Christmas tree lighting ceremony with a three-storey tall tree and a 65sqm winter landscape with a Christmas train. There will also be live music, performances, and a visit for Santa Claus. A Christmas charity bazaar will take place in the galleria with a range of products for sale, including hampers, jewelry, and organic produce. Free. 2-8pm (tree lighting at 6pm). Hilton Beijing (5865 5125, laura.wang@hilton.com)

3e Christmas Bazaar
Festive food, shopping, and games for the whole family await at 3e's Christmas Bazaar. Free. 10am-noon. 3e International School (6437 3344)

Sun, Nov 30
The Gift Charity Bazaar
Once again, CISB and Stage One Productions are teaming up for a charity bazaar with unique gifts, seasonal foods, natural beauty products, and more. Free. 11am-4pm. Canadian International School of Beijing (info@stageoneproductions.org)

BSB Sanlitun Christmas Cracker
This year’s Christmas Fayre will have a focus on craft-making and games for children. There will be food stalls, an outside heated bar for the adults to enjoy, Christmas carols, music, and plenty of festive activities for the whole family. Free. 11am-3pm. British School of Beijing, Sanlitun (8532 3088)

Beijing Riviera Holiday Gift Bazaar
With vendors selling gifts and goodies, all fees go towards supporting the Migrant Children’s Foundation. Free. 10am-4pm (8450 6888)

Sat, Dec 6
Christmas Bazaar at Z Hairdressing
Given how late Chunjie will be this year, this is one of the longest recent winter seasons in Beijing. Holiday bazaars are a huge part of the fun, and Z Hairdressing are adding to the list, with their Christmas Bazaar. Happily coinciding with blonde live wire and Creative Director Scarlet Salmon's birthday, the bazaar will feature a soundtrack of Northern Soul courtesy of DJ Dudu, crafts, foods, and gifts on sale. Ten percent of the proceeds from the event will go to The Little Adoption Shop, who use the funds to provide shelter, food, and medical care for abused and abandoned animals in Beijing. So we encourage you to dress up, get down, and spend freely in support of a worthy cause! Free. 7-9pm. Z Hairdressing (8424 4533)

Wed, Dec 10
A Dulwich Christmas
Join the DCB community for a wonderful evening to celebrate the holidays. Come along and share a hot chocolate or mulled wine followed by a special Christmas performance put on by students and teachers. There will be other activities like meet and greet with Santa, arts and crafts for younger kids, and vendors selling holiday items (food, children’s holiday books, stocking fillers and more). Free. 5pm (performance at 7pm). Dulwich College Beijing, Legend Garden Campus (6454 9000)

Sat, Dec 13
The Hutong Winter Fayre
The last Christmas Bazaar of the year. With a warm winter theme, The Hutong will be serving up plenty of cups of mulled wine. With Christmas just around the corner, you can pick up a gift for your friends and loved ones, with a choice of locally produced goods, jewelry, foods, and handicrafts from a range of vendors. Free. 11am-4pm. The Hutong (6404 3355)

This article first appeared on beijingkids.

Photo: enjoyourholiday.com