Capella Sydney is delighted to unveil its 2025 Lunar New Year programme, offering guests an immersive cultural experience that blends rich traditions with the hotel’s signature luxury and unique crafted hospitality.
In honour of the Year of the Snake, Capella Sydney will offer a series of unforgettable experiences that blend ancient traditions with the hotel’s signature luxury. From traditional tea ceremonies and Chinese calligraphy to an exclusive Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea at Aperture, the hotel is set to offer a sensory journey that celebrates both culture and contemporary elegance.
The festivities will commence on 28 January with a public Eye-Dotting and Lion Dance Ceremony, heralding the arrival of the Year of the Snake. This vibrant event, taking place at Farrer Place at 11.00am, is open to the public with Sydney residents and visitors invited to partake in the jubilant occasion. The Eye-Dotting Ceremony, an ancient tradition designed to “awaken” the lion dancers, will be performed by Jin Wu Koon, one of Australia’s oldest and most revered Dragon & Lion Dance associations, adding energy and vibrancy to the celebration.
Throughout the Lunar New Year celebrations, hotel guests will enjoy an exclusive array of cultural experiences as part of the Capella Moments programme. Signature offerings include a traditional tea ceremony and calligraphy masterclass led by Master Raymond Leung of Zensation Tea House. A revered figure in Sydney’s Chinese cultural scene, Master Leung has dedicated nearly 40 years to promoting Chinese traditions and was instrumental in the founding of Sydney’s original Chinese New Year Festival.
Guests can also partake in Tai Chi classes with Grandmaster Gary Khor, a martial arts icon featured in the series Limitless with Chris Hemsworth. Known for his work with legends like Jet Li, Khor’s classes are designed to promote balance and wellness, offering a meditative practice that cultivates harmony between body and mind.
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.
Capella Sydney’s youngest guests will also have their own Lunar New Year adventures with the Little Stars Programme, which introduces children to ancient traditions through engaging workshops. These include crafting movable snake costumes adorned with watercolour eyes and metallic scales under the guidance of artist Anney Bounpraseuth, along with fun activities like baby lion dancing, snake collages, and fortune cookie-making — ensuring that little ones can experience the enchantment of the Lunar New Year.
Aperture, the ideal setting for Lunar New Year celebrations, invites guests to indulge in an exclusive Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea, 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. Available daily from 28 January to 16 February, the afternoon tea is priced 
at $125 per person, with the champagne upgrade available for $25.
Marc von Arnim, General Manager of Capella Sydney, shared, “The Lunar New Year marks a fresh beginning, a time to reflect on the past and embrace the prosperity, health, and good fortune that lie ahead. We are deeply honoured to celebrate this enchanting time at Capella Sydney, and we invite both our esteemed guests and our Sydney community to join us in celebrating the Year of the Snake, a symbol of wisdom, grace, transformation, and elegance.”
To mark the occasion of the Lunar New Year, Capella Sydney is delighted to offer an exclusive Lunar New Year Celebration Package priced from $1,190 per night for a Deluxe Room. This special experience includes luxurious overnight accommodation, a daily breakfast at Brasserie 1930 for two, and a thoughtful welcome amenity featuring an 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 and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages from the personal bar.
