Capella Sydney, renowned for its commitment to exceptional luxury experiences, is thrilled to unveil the program for its 2025 Lunar New Year celebrations to usher in the Year of the Snake, held at the hotel and kicking off on January 28th until 16th February.
Sydneysiders are welcome to join in on the programme of unforgettable experiences that blend ancient traditions with the hotel’s signature luxury. This year, Capella Sydney is collaborating with various Chinese culturalists and associations to curate a schedule of authentic and unique experiences.
On January 28th, Lunar New Year’s Eve, celebrations will begin at 11:00 AM with a traditional Eye-Dotting and Lion Dance Ceremony at Farrer Place. This vibrant event will feature a performance by Jin Wu Koon, one of Australia’s oldest dragon and lion dance associations. The celebration is open to all, with no booking required.
Capella Sydney’s limited edition Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea at Aperture is available for the general public and hotel guests alike. Curated by Capella Sydney’s Head Pastry Chef Arthur Carré, Aperture’s bespoke Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea menu celebrates oriental cuisine with an Australian twist including their soon-to-be Lunar New Year cult classic, mandarin lamington.
For added detail and booking links for the full programme please see below:
Eye-Dotting and Lion Dancing Ceremony
Tuesday 28 January, 11.00am, Farrer Place (outside Capella Sydney)
Capella Sydney’s celebrations commence with a traditional Eye-Dotting and Lion Dance Ceremony, an ancient tradition designed to “awaken” the lion dancers, and will be performed by Jin Wu Koon, one of Australia’s oldest and most revered Dragon and Lion Dance associations. The ceremony will be attended byTea and Calligraphy Master, Raymond Leung from Zensation Teahouse and Tai Chi Grandmaster to the stars, Gary Khor as seen in Chris Hemsworth’s documentary, Limitless.
Aperture’s Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea
Tuesday 28 January – Thursday 16 February, 1.00pm – 4.00pm
$125 per person, with the Champagne upgrade available for $25. Book HERE, full menu HERE.
Escape to an urban oasis and indulge in an exclusive Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea experience expertly crafted by Head Pastry Chef Arthur Carré. This bespoke menu features a delectable selection of delicacies, including Capella Kaluga Caviar, sesame prawn toast, Peking duck pancake roll cornetto, fried pork dumplings, and pandan and mandarin lamingtons. The experience is complemented by the delicate notes of white rabbit jasmine tea from Zensation Tea House, with an optional upgrade to a glass of Louis Roederer Champagne for a truly indulgent experience.
Exclusive Lunar New Year Capella hotel stay package Available to stay from 20 January – 24 February. Book HERE.
Capella Sydney is delighted to offer an exclusive Lunar New Year Celebration Package. This special experience includes luxurious overnight accommodation, daily breakfast for two at Brasserie 1930, guest-only access to The Living Room, and a thoughtful welcome amenity featuring either the exclusive Capella Sydney Lunar New Year Tea Blend (for room bookings) or Capella Kaluga Queen Caviar (for suite bookings). Guests will also enjoy access to the hotel’s curated Lunar New Year programming. This offer is available from $1,190 per night for a Deluxe Room.
(CAPELLA MOMENTS – FOR IN-HOUSE GUESTS ONLY):
All in-house guest events must be booked directly through Capella’s Culturist team. However, further details can be located in the hotel programme HERE.
Tea Ceremony and Calligraphy experience with Raymond Leung
28 January & Saturday 1 February 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Capella Sydney is privileged to host the esteemed Tea and Calligraphy Master, Raymond Leung, in our Living Room, offering in-house guests an exclusive opportunity to experience his expertise. Immerse yourself in the aromatic ambiance of a Chinese Tea Ceremony, where every sip is a journey into cultural richness. Witness the captivating artistry of Raymond’s calligraphy strokes as he skillfully crafts personalized traditional blessings, adding an expressive and meaningful touch to the festivities. Reservations required 24h in advance.
Art Gallery of NSW – Cao Fei and Naalu Badu Wing guided Tour with Fiona McIntosh Wednesday 5 February 10:00am – 12:30pm
For art aficionados, a guided tour of the Cao Fei: My City is Yours exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW (Naala Badu), led by art expert Fiona McIntosh will be a highlight of the programme. Guests will have the opportunity to explore the work of Cao Fei, one of the most influential contemporary Chinese artists and delve into the world of modern Chinese art.
Neighbourhood Tales, Lunar New Year Edition with Mark Bowyer
Thursday 30th January 9:00am – 11:00am
Capella Sydney has partnered with history and heritage specialist Mark Bowyer, founder of Old Compass Travel, to offer a series of exclusive 2-hour walking tours called Neighbourhood Tales for hotel guests. During the Lunar New Year festivities, join Capella on a fascinating journey through Sydney’s first Chinatown, located in the historic Rocks area. Learn about the first Chinese shops and residences, which were situated along lower George Street, and uncover the rich cultural heritage of this iconic neighbourhood. Reservations required 24h in advance.
Little Stars programme:
Capella’s existing children’s offering, Little Stars, has been updated with a special Lunar New Year programme, the full line up of activities can be seen in the hotel programme above.