4th of July Hutong BBQ, DVD, and Book Swap
Head on over to Slow Boat Brewery Taproom on Dongsi Batiao where they will be serving a special menu of classic American barbecue, including hot dogs, burgers, corn, and potato salad. Call by between 2-7pm with your unwanted books and DVDs and swap them for new ones. Free. 2pm-midnight. Slow Boat Brewery Taproom
 

Stevie Mac and The Mac Daddies
The Mac Daddies will be rocking the Red, White, and Blue at 4corners with their signature vintage take on contemporary tunes. Cover charge includes one beer. RMB 30. 10pm. 4corners
 

4th of July Explosive Blues
Celebrate America's Birthday at Home Plate where Jo & The Hot Water band will be playing some incredible blues and rock to get you up on your feet. Free. 9.30pm. Home Plate Bar-B-Que
 

Beijing Bikini Cookout
Head down to Jing-A Brewing, where their neighbors Traitor Zhou's will be grilling an all-American cookout menu to enjoy with a pint of their new summer brew. For those who show up extra hungry, they'll be holding a Watermelon Eating Challenge throughout the day with great prizes of beer, merchandise, donuts, and more. Free. 11am-5pm. Jing-A Brewing

Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special
Celebrate Independence Day at La-Bar Bar with one of America's most loved, most inconic cultural institutions – Saturday Night Live. They will be showing the 40th Anniversary special, featuring Bill Murray, Jim Carrey, Dan Akroyd, and more. Free. 8pm. La-Bas Bar

American Independence Day Package
Includes private transfers from/to Beijing for two people, a superior queen Great Wall view room for the night of July 4, late checkout (subject to availability), Peter Murchison’s Bluegrass Band Live Performance, barbecue dinner, and breakfast for two in the Lodge. RMB 2,688. The Brickyard Inn and Retreat Center
 

Happy Birthday USA!
All American citizens who visit The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu on July 4 will receive a free beer. (One per adult guest with American passport, no purchase necessary). Free. 11am-9pm. The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu

Fourth of July Bluegrass Barbecue and Bonfire
In honor of Independence Day The brickyard will offering a special live bluegrass barbecue with fireworks! Secret-sauce chicken, juicy steaks, and fresh trout fillets will be on the grill, along with a selection of fresh foods served buffet style by the lotus pond. Book tickets (as well as return bus transport for RMB 88 per person) on Yoopay. RMB 188, RMB 98 (kids), free (kids under four). 6pm. The Brickyard Inn and Retreat Center

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Photo: Micky** (Flickr), the organizers