Hot & Spicy 2020: Putting the Fire Back in Dragon Boat Festival!

Get ready, Beijing, because the carnival of capsaicin, the jamboree of jalapeño, the party of peppers, or – depending on where you stand on mind-melting heat – the terrorization of your tastebuds is here to shake you out of your lockdown slumber and smack you upside the head with a boatload of chilis. That's right, the Beijing Hot & Spicy Festival will return once again to Galaxy Soho this Dragon Boat Festival, Jun 25-27.

Now in its third installment, our previous years' events – the only food festivals in China dedicated to everything spicy – were attended by hordes of food fans brought to a sweaty, teary, mess of chili-induced ecstasy courtesy of dozens of Beijing's best spicy food vendors. In turn, they were supported by live music, dancing, entertainment, and the 9th Annual Hot Chili Pepper Eating Contest – Beijing's love of chili cannot be underestimated, with last year's two-day festival drawing over 10,000 people alone.

Depending on how the pandemic situation plays out we may not be able to hit those numbers, however, we won't be slumping on the goods, and are busy preparing the same knockout food and entertainment line-ups that our festivals have become known for.

For now, mark your calendars and stay tuned to our blog and WeChat account (ID: theBeijinger) for all the latest Hot & Spicy news, as we will be releasing more vendor and entertainment information, not to mention advance ticket sales very soon.

Weren't able to attend last year's festivities? Take a look at what to expect come Dragon Boat Festival:

Images: Uni You, the Beijinger