A Few Festivals to Check Out This May Holiday
May Day holiday is two days away, and with it comes a ton of festivals and markets worth checking out over the five day break and after. The Beijing Craft Beer Festival returns to Shougang, there’s a big tattoo and art fest in Tongzhou, and the Drum and Bell Towers are opening their doors for their own market and art happenings. Read on to see what else is going on…
2024 Beijing Craft Beer Festival
The biggest party in honor of sudsy goodness is headed back to Shougang Park for the May Day holiday. 100+ breweries and beer makers from across China will descend upon the park for four days of hops enjoyment, with a bit of music and food in the mix as well. Tickets come with a commemorative stainless steel cup and cup holder strap for drinking throughout your visit.
Duration: May 1-4, 11am-10pm daily
Entry: RMB 99/person
Where: Shougang Park No. 14 Greenhouse and Lawn
Click here for details and tickets
Beijing “Ci” Tattoo Art Festival
Described as the capital’s first dedicated tattoo art festival, this three-day event in Tongzhou will play host to not only tattoo artists, but graffiti art, art, art and more art.
Duration: May 4-6, 10.30am-6.30pm daily
Entry: RMB 66-168
Where: Songzhuang Contemporary Art Museum, Tongzhou
Click here for details and tickets
Yufeng Park “May 1” Green Eco-Market Shopping Festival
This park on the banks of the Yongding River has become a bustling marketplace since Apr 26. Here you’ll find all kinds of goods, from eco-friendly foods to imported goods to beautifully handcrafted traditional garments and more.
Duration: Now until May 9, 8am-5pm
Entry: Free
Where: Yufeng Park East Tourist Area
NEED! FLEA 2024 Beijing Market
NEED! FLEA returns to the capital for 2024, with tons of independent clothing brands, sellers of vintage and secondhand goods, and a whole bunch of music at Longfusi (with free entry to the afterparty on May 5). There are a few new things in store this year as well, with workshops ranging from arts and crafts to yoga and more available for market goers.
Duration: Apr 30-May 5, 1-10pm daily (market), 10pm-Late (music)
Entry: RMB 39/person at door
Where: Longfusi Phase II, Outdoors
Click here for details
Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Youth Culture Festival
Coming to Taikooli’s West Square thanks to the folks behind NEED, the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Youth Culture Festival is bringing all the things you NEED like clothing, accessories, art and more, with a bit of Hong Kong and Macao specials thrown in like arts, crafts, food, and drink among other things.
Duration: Apr 30-May 5, 11am-10pm daily
Entry: Free
Where: Sanlitun Taikooli West
Click here for details
THE BOX Youth Culture Festival
THE BOX is putting on a Youth Culture Festival that'll encompass a number of smaller events happening throughout the week of Apr 29 to May 4 (and into May 5). These include things like Yoga with Pets, a Mini Cooper exhibition, K-Pop show at Club Yummy, Singularity Plan ARTPHILE 2024, and a few other things.
Duration: May 1-4, 11am-10pm daily
Entry: RMB 80 for standard ticket
Where: THE BOX Youth Energy Center B
Click here for details
Tomato Pocket Original Art Festival
For more original art, 798 is the place to be with the Tomato Pocket Art Fest showcasing 50+ artists and crafts vendors throughout the holiday. All the vendors taking part have designed their own posters for this shindig as well, check ‘em out in the link below.
Duration: May 1-3
Entry: Free
Where: 798 Arts District, D Zone, 798 Xijie
Click here for details (and posters)
Wonderful New Life Natural Healing Festival
Touted as Beijing’s first healing festival, this event promises to wake up the body and mind for spring on a healthier note. Come for a few days of traditional yoga, yoga chanting, outdoor “nature” concerts and other activities to get you up and running for long after the holiday.
Duration: May 1-3
Entry: RMB 299-699/person
Where: Shang 8 Guanggao Yuan
Click here for details and tickets
“I Am in the Drum Tower” Lifestyle Festival
Beijing’s Drum Tower opens its doors and comes to life for the holiday with a special string of events. Along with a market selling arts, crafts, and other goods, there’s an exhibition of dragon art inside the tower, the opening of the new Zhonglou Drinking Time shop, and a plethora of evening activities happening in and around the Bell and Drum Towers.
Duration: May 1-5 (please note, the month in English on the poster is wrong)
Entry: Free for daytime events; RMB 168+ for evening events
Where: Beijing Bell and Drum Towers
Click here for details and tickets
TEDDY MAG Urban Outdoor Lifestyle Festival
Back again for the May holiday, this festival with market and other activities has a focus on all things outdoors. Expect gear for camping and other outdoor activities with a sprinkling of art, music, and food and drink in the mix.
Duration: May 1-5
Entry: Free
Where: COFCO Xiangyun Town, Shunyi
Click here for details
Poly Film Theater Mad Art Market
This market goes beyond just visual art, with comics, art books, vinyl records, rock posters and t-shirts and a whole lot more available. There are also the usual suspects available, like crafts, food, and drink. It looks like one massively mad art party.
Duration: May 1-5, 10.30am-7.30pm daily
Entry: Free
Where: B1-B2, Beijing Fun East, Xicheng
Click here for details
Starfish Youth “Stall” Play Festival
Music, bazaar, coffee, beer, dessert, and more at this festival at Beijing Weixing Factory Science & Technology Park in Haidian.
Duration: May 1-5, 1-9pm daily
Entry: Free
Where: Beijing Weixing Factory Science & Technology Park
Click here for details
“Looking for Trouble” Market
Another market promising 120+ booths of arts and crafts, goods from all kinds of makers, food, drink and more on a massive scale out at Moon River Town in Tongzhou.
Duration: May 3-5, 10am-7pm daily
Entry: Free
Where: Moon River Town, Tongzhou Grand Canal
READ: A Weekend Walks Guide to Managing the Spring Tourist Crush
Images: TheBeijingers, courtesy of the organizers
