An Extravaganza of Tea, Tradition, and Mandarin Lamingtons
Capella Sydney’s Lunar New Year: An Extravaganza of Tea, Tradition, and Mandarin Lamingtons
The Year of the Wood Snake slithers in with a whisper of wisdom and a side of indulgence, promising slow but steady progress which, let’s be honest, is a blessed relief after recent years that felt more like an out-of-control rollercoaster operated by a sleep-deprived intern.
For those seeking an elegant, culturally rich way to celebrate, Capella Sydney is offering an unapologetically decadent Lunar New Year programme, fusing ancient tradition with five-star luxury. The festivities kick off on January 28th and run through February 16th, featuring everything from lion dancers and tai chi masters to personalised calligraphy and a Champagne-drenched afternoon tea because if you can’t welcome the new year with bubbles and an extravagant pastry, what even is the point?
The Year of the Snake: Not as Sinister as It Sounds
Snakes get a bad rap, what with their biblical baggage and their general slithery-ness, but in Chinese astrology, the Year of the Snake is all about prosperity, wisdom, and reinvention. It favours the patient, the strategic, and those who know when to strike—or, more practically speaking, those who understand the value of waiting for the waiter to come back with the dessert menu.
This year, we’re welcoming the Wood Snake, which adds a touch of creativity and warmth to all that calculating cleverness. If you were born in a Snake year, congratulations—you’re now in the same club as Taylor Swift, John F. Kennedy, J.K. Rowling, and Robert Downey Jr. No pressure.
The Programme: Culture, Cocktails, and Calligraphy
Lion Dance & Eye-Dotting Ceremony – January 28th, 11:00 AM, Farrer Place
An explosion of colour, sound, and frankly outstanding acrobatics, this ceremony awakens the lion dancers in a ritual that involves dotting their eyes for good luck. Expect a spectacle of drums, movement, and uncontainable festive energy. Also in attendance: Raymond Leung, a tea and calligraphy master, and Tai Chi Grandmaster Gary Khor (as seen teaching Chris Hemsworth how to move like an enlightened warrior).
Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea at Aperture – January 28th – February 16th, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Price: $125 per person (Champagne upgrade for $25, because obviously.)
What’s on the menu? Think delicate pastries, intricate savouries, and a Mandarin Lamington that is about to become your new obsession.
The Tea: A selection curated from Zensation Tea House, featuring white rabbit jasmine tea and other sublimely soothing blends.
Tea Ceremony & Calligraphy with Raymond Leung – January 28th & February 1st, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Immerse yourself in the art of tea-making, where every sip is a lesson in mindfulness.
Watch Raymond Leung create personalised calligraphy blessings, which you can frame and display as proof that you are deeply cultured and possibly a little mystical.
Art Gallery of NSW Tour: Cao Fei & Naala Badu Wing – February 5th, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
A guided tour of contemporary Chinese artist Cao Fei’s mesmerising work, led by art expert Fiona McIntosh. Expect vivid, thought-provoking pieces and many opportunities to nod knowingly.
Neighbourhood Tales: Lunar New Year Edition – January 30th, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Join historian Mark Bowyer for a walking tour through Sydney’s first Chinatown, located in The Rocks. Discover stories of the first Chinese merchants and settlers, and learn how history, commerce, and dumplings intertwined in the making of the city.
Capella Sydney Lunar New Year Stay Package – January 20th – February 24th
What’s included:
Luxury accommodation (so lush you may never leave)
Daily breakfast for two at Brasserie 1930 (croissants, coffee, and no regrets)
Exclusive Capella Lunar New Year welcome amenity (choose between a bespoke tea blend or caviar, because at Capella, you are either deeply relaxed or extravagantly indulged)
Starting at: $1,190 per night
Little Stars: Lunar New Year Edition
The hotel’s children’s programme has been transformed into a festive wonderland, featuring storytelling, hands-on activities, and tiny future Snakes plotting world domination.
Final Thoughts: A New Year, A New Excuse for Luxury
If you’re looking for a glamorous, immersive way to usher in the Year of the Wood Snake, Capella Sydney has nailed it. There’s culture, indulgence, and a chance to pretend you understand the finer points of tea preparation, all wrapped up in the kind of setting where even your casual selfies look editorial.
So go forth, sip, feast, and let the Year of the Snake work its slow, strategic magic.
