Busy Holiday 6: Lights, Music Festivals, Jazz & More
It's the National Holiday! While many of you may have left Beijing for the holiday, for those who have remained in the capital, there is still plenty to do! Today, we'll be taking a look at some events to hit up and activities to do tomorrow, Oct 6.
The 2nd Taihu Classical Music Festival
The 2nd Taihu Classical Music Festival is being held during Golden Week, from now to Oct 7. This year's theme is “Because Love,” and the festival aims to enrich the cultural life of Beijing residents during the holiday and also to build a robust professional and popular art ecosystem.
The festival is being hosted by the Beijing Symphony Orchestra and will take place at venues in and around the Taihu Performing Arts Town in Tongzhou District.
There will be a number of engaging musical performances, thought-provoking lectures and other fantastic activities – even a “music marathon”! There will be indoor and outdoor events with a mix of Western and Chinese classical compositions, as well as events for children, ensuring fun for the whole family.
The 2nd Taihu Classical Music Festival is taking place now to Oct 7. For more information about the festival, including events, programs, registration and tickets, click here.
Beitou Panorama Hotel 北投台湖演艺酒店
9A, Hujiafa Village, Tongzhou District
通州区胡家垡村甲9号
NCPA Taihu Stage Art Centre
6 Taihu Xilu, Taihu Town, Tongzhou District
通州区台湖镇台湖西路6号
Beitou Taihu Cultural and Performing Arts Industrial Park 北投台湖文化演艺产业园
Beijing Guoji Tushu Cheng, Puwai Lu, Tongzhou District
通州区铺外路北京国际图书城
Beijing Performing Arts Centre (BPAC)
Bldgs 1-2, 1 Lüxin Lu, Tongzhou District
通州区绿心路1号院1号楼、2号楼
Half-Price Khinkali and Live Music at Georgia’s Feast
Khinkali are the traditional Georgian take on soup dumplings. Dough is pleated around a juicy minced meat filling spiced with flavorful herbs and a delicious broth.
Every Monday at Georgia’s Feast until the end of the year, enjoy this taste of Georgian culinary and cultural pride for 50 percent off!
And while you eat, there will be a live performance from guest singer Mami from 7pm until late to enhance your dining experience.
Georgia’s Feast
9 Dongzhimennei Dajie, Dongcheng District
东城区东直门内大街9号院
“Modern Talk” at Blue Note
Jazz pianist, composer and educator Zhu Mang was one of the earliest pianists in China to self-study and play jazz. Beginning in the ‘90s, he traveled the world to intensively study jazz with international masters. He has had a 30-year music performance career, from famous bars such as Cotton Club, JZ Club, Shanghai Lincoln Center, and Blue Note in Shanghai to various jazz and music festivals in China. He has accumulated rich stage experience in both jazz and pop concerts, as well as recording albums and arranging pop music for domestic jazz masters and pop singers. His first solo jazz album, Flight, was officially released in 2021. He has collaborated with a number of jazz artists, including a Swedish trombone master Niles Langdgren, Grammy-nominated American jazz saxophonist AlexHan, and renowned Dutch jazz singer Sabrina Starke, who also serves as master of the Amsterdam Concert Hall jazz ensemble.
This event at Blue Note Beijing will focus on Zhu’s new album Reflection. In Reflection, he has successfully adapted eight works by Brahms and Rachmaninov in the form of a jazz quintet, and one from Shostakovich. The album features four original pieces by guitarist Evgeny and bass player Artem Dubyna that span ancient times and unite Europe and Asia in two dimensions for a truly modern conversation.
Zhu will be joined onstage by bassist Artem Dubyna, guitarist Evgeny Pobozhiy and drummer Jair Mayorga. You can find more information about the performance and the performers here.
“Modern Talk” will take place at Blue Note Beijing on Mon, Oct 6, at 7.30pm. Doors open at 6pm. Tickets start at RMB 180 and can be purchased by scanning the QR code in the poster above or following the green 购票 link to Blue Note’s mini program in the above link for more information.
Blue Note Beijing
B1/F, 23 Qianmen Dajie, Dongcheng District
东城区前门东大街23号院内B1层
2025 Beijing Chaoyang International Light Festival · Consumption Season
The 2025 Beijing Chaoyang International Light Festival · Consumption Season is underway, taking place now until the end of October. Here, you'll encounter radiant light-and-shadow art installations created by internationally renowned directors and creative teams.
There is also a wide array of cultural and entertainment events. From light shows, art exhibitions, festivals and fun outdoor activities to concerts of all kinds, dance performances, musical theater and more, this festival is packed with fun for everyone in the family. You can find more information about all the different activities happening throughout this month here.
Of particular interest to the foodies out there might be the 2025 Beijing Carbohydrate Festival happening now to Oct 26 up at the Olympic Park. Vendors from all over are gathering together and laying out a mouth-watering feast celebrating the mighty carb. This is a great opportunity to see tried and true favorite eateries and discover new ones. And while stuffing your face with carbs is a noble objective in and of itself, there will also be more than just carb-y foods at the fest. You can find more information about the festival here.
The 2025 Beijing Chaoyang International Light Festival · Consumption Season is taking place throughout the month of October. Please check individual event information to confirm details here.
READ: Busy Holiday 5: Chrysanthemums, Brunch, World-Class Cocktails & More
Images: courtesy of the venues, 北京朝阳
