TGIF: Make the Most of Your Weekend With These Killer Activities

The weekend is here! Time for fun, relaxation, and recharging the ol' batteries ahead of *gulp* Monday morning's alarm clock. Luckily enough, there’s plenty of fun stuff to keep you occupied over the weekend that doesn't necessarily involve getting blitzed. Our TGIF roundup offers you some of the best.

Catch some phenomenal short films 

The second 86358 Short Film Week touches down at UCCA this weekend in collaboration with Jia Zhangke's film research center Jia Screen. This year, they’ll show 24 short movies that are stylistically distinct, spanning experimental, fiction, essay film, animation, and documentary genres. Click here for the full line-up and registration. Free. Saturday, 4.30-10.30pm; Sunday, 1-6.30pm. UCCA

Appreciate some great art

Pictures of submissive rope-bound women and eroticized flowers are among Japanese photographer Nobuyoshi Araki’s instantly recognizable subjects, making him a constant source of controversy. However, to depict Araki as having a singular focus on sex would be doing him a huge disservice – there’s much more than just carnal urges flowing through his work, as his current solo exhibition at 798 Bridge Art Space proves. Read our in-depth review of the show here. RMB 68. Tue-Sun, 10am-6pm. Bridge Art Space

Shop for local products

TTG’s Suitcase Rummage takes place this Sunday at 46 Fangjia Hutong Theatre, bringing makeshift suitcase-toting stallholders together to sell their unwanted secondhand goods. While they downsize their wardrobes and closets, you'll get the chance to re-up on some very reasonably priced knick-knacks, including clothes, books, jewelry, shoes, records, and more. Free. 6.30-11pm. 46 Fangjia Hutong Theatre

Go for a morning run

The heat right isn't great for running, but don’t let that be your excuse to not get out and about. Nothing's better for shaking off your workweek blues than getting out for a morning run (even though it may not feel like it at the time). We're particular fans of Chaoyang Park for its 5km, tree-lined running track. Read everything you need to know right here.

Want to try a new bar? Sanlitun's Pi Bar evokes fond memories of hutong cocktail bars of yore.

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Photos courtesy of the organizers