Hey Beijing parents! This weekend, Jan 3rd & 4th, the post-New Year lull is over. Forget the usual haunts; we need some fresh air and fun. The mega 第十六届陶然亭冰雪嘉年华 is officially open for proper snow play, and don't miss the early-blooming 2026北京家庭园艺嘉年华 for some unexpected springtime vibes indoors. Let’s hit the ground running in 2026!
Quick Picks
2026“京”彩“冀”遇新年游园会
莲花池公园
Free traditional crafts and New Year atmosphere at this cultural fair.
第十六届陶然亭冰雪嘉年华
陶然亭公园
It’s an outdoor snow park, but with the upgraded indoor/heated service areas and the thrill of the snow/ice, it’s worth bundling up for even if it drizzles.
2026“京”彩“冀”遇新年游园会
莲花池公园
Tons of free, hands-on traditional craft workshops like paper cutting and New Year picture printing.
2026北京家庭园艺嘉年华
Yes, it’s only January, but this huge city-wide event kicks off on the 1st, running until March! Think early year-end flowers, workshops at parks like Beihai, and special New Year bloom stalls. It’s a great way to get a springtime vibe before the actual spring.
Why we picked it: It starts Jan 1st and brings an unexpected 'spring' feeling to the dead of winter with flower markets and garden workshops.
2026“京”彩“冀”遇新年游园会
This New Year's fair is still on and sounds genuinely fun—less touristy than some spots. They have a whole market with intangible cultural heritage (非遗) crafts, plus free hands-on workshops for families to make New Year art.
Why we picked it: It has genuinely free, fun, hands-on cultural activities like calligraphy and paper-cutting workshops.
第十六届陶然亭冰雪嘉年华
The 16th season is in full swing with 38,000 sqm of snow space! They've upgraded the snow tubing slide and even brought back the nostalgic elephant slide. Check the penguin parade schedule for the best times to visit.
Why we picked it: It's the perfect winter weekend activity, featuring classic snow activities and unique events like penguin parades.
冬季冰雪文化旅游主题线路 (Winter Ice & Snow Routes)
The city has launched special 'Ice & Snow + X' routes focusing on dual-Olympic heritage sites and general winter fun. This is a great way to find lesser-known ice rinks or skating areas outside the main tourist hubs.
Why we picked it: It’s an official city push, meaning better-organized and possibly unique skating/skiing experiences available this weekend.
Children's Drama 演出 (Check for Jan 3/4 listings)
While *Mulan* is later in the month, January theatre listings often have other quality children's dramas or performances like *Souvenirs Entomologiques* at NCPA. A great indoor option for a cold weekend.
Why we picked it: Theatre is a reliably high-quality, weatherproof option, and looking for non-holiday specific shows often uncovers gems.
2026新年音乐会GALA——《风声》音乐会新年珍藏版
This is a very high-brow, limited-run concert combining the Beijing Symphony Orchestra with music from the famous drama *The Message* (《风声》). Perfect for music-loving teens or parents needing a sophisticated cultural outing.
Why we picked it: A special, limited-time orchestral crossover event happening right on Saturday, Jan 3rd.
Haidian 2026 New Year Market (Check End Date)
This market focuses on blending 'smoke and fire' (local life) with culture and **tech interaction**. It's worth checking if it extends to the 3rd/4th, as it’s a good mix of local vendors and modern entertainment stalls.
Why we picked it: It specifically highlights 'tech interaction' stalls alongside traditional market goods, offering a unique mix for families.
LTL Beijing Winter Camp Activities (Check for single-day options)
While primarily a camp, sometimes they offer single-day immersion experiences or cultural excursions open to non-campers for a fee. It’s a very hands-on way for older kids to boost Mandarin and learn traditions.
Why we picked it: A rare chance for non-enrolled kids to tap into focused, high-quality cultural immersion programs.
“公园+”系列活动 (Park + Series Events)
Beyond the main holiday events, many city parks host smaller, often free or low-cost, family gardening/craft sessions as part of the overall Garden Fair. Check the '首都园林绿化' WeChat for daily updates on which park has what.
Why we picked it: These smaller, park-level workshops offer an intimate, non-commercial family activity that tourists often miss.
ChaoWan Entertainment Zone at 鸟巢 (Nest)
If your teens like gaming, the Bird's Nest Ice & Snow Festival has a '潮玩休闲区' (Trendy Play Zone) linked with the IP *Eggy Party* (蛋仔派对). It’s more than just ice; think massive inflatables and team shooting games.
Why we picked it: It mixes traditional winter fun with a very current, popular gaming IP, making it highly appealing to tweens and teens.
博物馆里观年俗/品年味 (Museum New Year Culture)
The city's museums are rolling out themed exhibitions focusing on New Year customs (年俗) and culture, with over 70 themed activities planned. Check out the China Garden Museum for its flower/zodiac crossover exhibits.
Why we picked it: Museums are leveraging the post-holiday season to showcase unique, culture-heavy exhibitions with specific family programming.
2026“京”彩“冀”遇新年游园会 (Free Calligraphy)
If you missed the free Spring Festival couplet (春联) writing on New Year's Day, this fair is still running and often has calligraphers on hand throughout the weekend. A super local and meaningful free activity.
Why we picked it: It's a rare chance to get beautiful, free, custom calligraphy from professional artists for the Lunar New Year season.
State Guesthouse/Olympic Ice and Snow Sports (General Area Check)
Since the city is heavily promoting winter sports routes, this is the weekend to check for specialized, perhaps less crowded, ice/snow activities near the Olympic venues that are running special programming.
Why we picked it: Capitalizing on the city’s focus on winter sports tourism means unique or upgraded experiences might be running at Olympic-linked venues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Beijing this weekend (Jan 3-4)?
The best genuinely free option is the 2026“京”彩“冀”遇新年游园会 at 莲花池公园 [id: beijing-2], which features free traditional craft workshops and a festive market atmosphere. Also, check for free calligraphy/couplet writing events at the 莲花池公园 [id: beijing-11] or local parks.
What's the best indoor/rainy day option for kids?
For a guaranteed indoor experience, check theatre listings for children's dramas like those often staged near the NCPA [id: beijing-8]. Alternatively, the museum cultural events focusing on New Year traditions (博物馆里观年俗) [id: beijing-10] offer great indoor learning.
Are there good outdoor activities for a full day of family fun?
Definitely! The 第十六届陶然亭冰雪嘉年华 [id: beijing-3] is running all weekend at 陶然亭公园 with snow tubing, sledding, and penguin parades. It’s your best bet for a full day of winter action.