Western Festivities.
There is no need to fear a complete absence of Western holidays in China. In particular, Christmas is readily making its way into Chinese society, although with a largely commercial, Santa-centered approach that ignores the holiday's true origins.
Around the yuletide season, Christmas trees can be found in countless store windows, Christmas songs play in shopping malls, and Handel's Messiah is performed in the Forbidden City Concert Hall (every December since 2002). Christmas Eve and Day services are held in churches around the city (see Churches Link).
For those who find themselves in Beijing for the Christmas season, there are a number of hotels that offer Christmas tree lighting ceremonies or buffets on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, such as the Hilton, Ritz-Carlton or Grand Hyatt Beijing. Holiday goodies can be found at many cafés and international supermarkets around town. Similarly, Thanksgiving dinner buffets can also typically be found at most large hotels and some select restaurants in Beijing.
Another holiday that is perhaps even more widespread in China than Christmas is Valentine's Day - with flowers, chocolates, gifts, and all the rest - though it is mostly celebrated by the younger generation. Halloween is virtually non-existent as a door-to-door trick-or-treating fest, but costume parties abound in expat bars and international schools.