Event Calendar

Learn to make and decorate birthday cakes and cookies. Classes offered include Kids Candy Making, Kids Cupcakes Fun, and Kids Cookies Making & Decoration. All classes are designed for ages 5 and up and last two hours (9.30-11.30am or 3.30-5.30pm) for RMB 200. For more information e-mail info@exquisite-bakery.com or call 6450 9838. Exquisite Bakery, www.exquisite-bakery.com
 

Learn to make and decorate birthday cakes and cookies. Classes offered include Kids Candy Making, Kids Cupcakes Fun, and Kids Cookies Making & Decoration. All classes are designed for ages 5 and up and last two hours (9.30-11.30am or 3.30-5.30pm) for RMB 200. For more information e-mail info@exquisite-bakery.com or call 6450 9838. Exquisite Bakery, www.exquisite-bakery.com
 

Free entry with advance booking. Call Joanna Dear on 6444 8900 ext 635 or email jdear@harrowbeijing.cn to book in advance, Harrow International School Beijing, www.harrowbeijing.cn

Take a Miyun countryside ramble with other Beijing Hikers on a long walk through peaceful and unknown populated hills, valleys, and forests. Approximately 3.5 hours of hiking over 15km. RMB 250.Contact Huijie at 139 100 25516 or 5829 3195 for registration.

Learn to make and decorate birthday cakes and cookies. Classes offered include Kids Candy Making, Kids Cupcakes Fun, and Kids Cookies Making & Decoration. All classes are designed for ages 5 and up and last two hours (9.30-11.30am or 3.30-5.30pm) for RMB 200. For more information e-mail info@exquisite-bakery.com or call 6450 9838. Exquisite Bakery, www.exquisite-bakery.com
 

Christmas and Father Christmas come early to BSB this year with lots of activities for children and adults, gift stalls and a variety of tasty foods and wines. Get into the spirit of Christmas by attending for the famous BSB raffle of fabulous prizes. All proceeds raised from the day go to BSB's charities. For more information call 8532 3088. Sanlitun Campus, The British School of Beijing, www. britishschool.org.cn

Learn to make and decorate birthday cakes and cookies. Classes offered include Kids Candy Making, Kids Cupcakes Fun, and Kids Cookies Making & Decoration. All classes are designed for ages 5 and up and last two hours (9.30-11.30am or 3.30-5.30pm) for RMB 200. For more information e-mail info@exquisite-bakery.com or call 6450 9838. Exquisite Bakery, www.exquisite-bakery.com
 

Kindermusik will organize their second annual music day, Children’s Specialty Products Bazaar. Enjoy family-friendly performances at RMB 25 per person or RMB 50 for each family. All proceeds go to local children’s charities. For more information check www.kindermusikbeiing.com.cn. Canadian International School

This seminar looks at the problems facing students who are reluctant readers and what a parent should do to instill good reading practices. For event details, call 6443 3151. Beijing BISS International School, www.biss.com.cn

Expedition leader Steven Schwankert will present his documentary about his diving expedition to Mongolia’s Lake Hovsgol. Watch the diving team identify and film fish in their natural environment and look for new species. Also, see the exploration of known shipwrecks in the lake, submerged cars and trucks, and Buddhist idols allegedly thrown into the lake in the 1930s. Free. International School of Beijing, www.sinoscuba.com
 

Learn to make Christmas tree ornaments with Chinese knotting and embroidered designs. RMB 150. For more information call 6432 9341. China Culture Center, www.chinaculturecenter.org

Dog obedience training instructor Joan Li shows how to enhance the dog-human relationship. Minimum of three and maximum of five dogs per class. RMB 1,200 per dog for a four-week session. To register, call Li at 134 2633 3693. Way of Dog, wayofdog.spaces.live.com

Enjoy the reading of international classic tales in a group atmosphere. Free. For babies up to age 2. Limited to the first 10 registered kids. For more information, call 5166 0516 or e-mail 102@gymboree.com.cn. Gymboree Lido Center, www.gymboree.com.cn

Globe-trotting humanitarian Dr. Jane Goodall hosts a breakfast talk on Dec 4 at the European Chamber of Commerce (reservation required). On Dec 5, she attends the “Conservation Christmas” dinner at the Traders Upper East Hotel (cocktails at 5.30pm, dinner at 6.30pm). On Dec 6, she delivers a “Hope For Nature” public lecture at Peking University Hall (starts at 7pm). To make a reservation, contact Roots & Shoots Beijing at 6778 3115/5802, or e-maiing ticket@jgichina.org, or visit www.jgichina.org/rootsandshoots.html.

In this high-energy seminar, Sarah Cooper, beijingkids columnist and career coach, will help you rediscover your true passions and uncover what drives and motivates you. RMB 200, including breakfast. Le Petit Gourmand in Sanlitun. For details and to pre-register, visit www.inspiredbeijing.com or call 136 2113 2201.

Ange Gervan leads fun, creative and age-appropriate yoga sessions for kids ages 4 and up. RMB 370 for a three-week session. For more information and to register e-mail ange@yogayard.com or info@yogayard.com. Yoga Yard, www.yogayard.com

Visit Beijing’s old lanes, courtyards, kindergartens, vegetable markets and meet some lao Beijingren, who will share details about their living conditions and the changes they’ve seen in Beijing. Call 6432 9341 or check www.chinaculturecenter.org for details. RMB 150. China Culture Center
 

Beijing Playhouse brings us Charles Dickens' classic work, A Christmas Carol, the tale of Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit and the ghosts that teach Ebenezer Scrooge the true meaning of Christmas. Don’t miss this locally produced musical with a cast of 28 actors, singers and dancers. In English with Chinese subtitles. Fri and Sat(7.30pm), Sun (2pm). Call 137 1890 8922 for tickets. RMB 250 in advance, RMB 300 at the door, RMB 400 for opening night seats.  For reservations, e-mail performance@beijingplayhouse.com. Block 8 (west gate of Chaoyang Park), www.beijingplayhouse.com, Beijing Playhouse

This winter concert features students from nursery school to Grade 5 and an intermission where tea and coffee will be served. All parents, families and friends are invited to attend this celebration of music. Main theater in BCIS. For more information or to pre-register, e-mail reed.rhodes@bcis.cn. Beijing City International School, www.bcis.cn
 

For babies ages 0-3 years. Parents are advised to bring a gift (more than RMB 30) with no gender preference for exchange. RMB 80 for members, RMB 100 for non-members. To reserve space, call 5166 0516 or e-mail 102@gymboree.com.cn. Limited to the first 20 families. Gymboree Lido Center, www.gymboree.com.cn
 

French chef Yvan Cadiou guides kids through an exploration of the names and tastes of food. In French and Chinese. Reservations required. Free. 10-11am (for children 6-8 years old), 11am-noon (for children 9-12 years old). To register, call 6553 2627. French Cultural Center

Workshops and performances in improvised music, art, education and theater from around the world. Laughter and creativity guaranteed. In English and Chinese. Workshop from 1-10pm. At the Beijing Improv Theatersports Show, (8-10pm) two teams of improvisors compete for your laughter and affection. Featuring audience inspired skits, improvised songs and comedic competition. In English. Penghao Theater off Nanluogu Xiang.Entrance by donation (recommended RMB 50). For more information, visit www.beijingimprov.org.

This performance of Beethoven Symphony No.9 (“Choral”) features internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Ning Liang. Conducted by Nicholas Smith and performed by Xinkongqi Chamber Orchestra, with support from Harrow International School. For details, visit www.beijinqifc.org. Tickets at 6775 6666. RMB 50-580. Forbidden City Concert Hall

French chef Yvan Cadiou guides kids through an exploration of the names and tastes of food. In French and Chinese. Reservations required. Free. 10-11am (for children 6-8 years old), 11am-noon (for children 9-12 years old). To register, call 6553 2627. French Cultural Center

The Rotary Club will hold a Christmas Bazaar with a children’s choir and a tree decorated with the names of underprivileged children at the Beijing Hilton. Money raised will go to Sun Children, the Gubeikou Village Education Program and HIV/AIDS programs. For more information, call 135 1105 6135 or e-mail siyijo@gmail.com. The Rotary Club, www.rotaryclub-beijing.org
 

Parents and children can celebrate the holiday season at the Teddy Bear Afternoon Tea at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel’s lobby lounge. Everyone goes home with a 2008 Christmas Ritz-Carlton Bear. RMB 128 per child, RMB 158 per adult. For reservation call 5908 8777 or e-mail emma.wang@ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, www.ritzcarlton.com

The International Festival Children’s Choir holds its annual Christmas concert at Harrow International School Beijing. Those interested in auditioning for next term will have an opportunity to meet with conductor Helena Murchie and administrator Paul Eldon. RMB 30. Harrow International School (Primary School campus). For more details e-mail childrenschoir@beijingifc.org. International Festival Children’s Choir, www.beijingifc.org

Yew Chung International School will perform the YCIS Christmas concert series. Time TBD. For more information contact Monica Horak at 8583 3731 ext 20. Yew Chung International School, www.ycef.com
 
 

Dog obedience training instructor Joan Li shows how to enhance the dog-human relationship. Minimum of three and maximum of five dogs per class. RMB 1,200 per dog for a four-week session. To register, call Li at 134 2633 3693. Way of Dog, wayofdog.spaces.live.com

Explore the thousand-year-old Tianning Pagoda and visit the most famous Taoist temple in Beijing, White Cloud Temple. RMB 150. Visit www.chinaculturecenter.org or call 6432 9341 for details. China Cultural Center