Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, acclaims the arrival of the spring season and the beginning of a new year in the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar. Celebrated amongst Chinese and Asian cultures, Lunar New Year is a time to assemble with family and express the best of wishes for the new year ahead. Whilst the dates of the holiday vary depending on the cycle of the moon, this year’s celebrations will begin on January 22 and conclude 15 days later on February 5.

Chinese zodiac, or shengxiao, is represented by 12 zodiac animals, each symbolising its own understood characteristics and intuitions. 2023 marks the year of the Rabbit, a symbol of longevity, peace and prosperity in Chinese culture and a sign of hope for the year to come. Along with the representation of an animal zodiac, the years each cycle through the five elements of nature; Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal. During the 60-year calendrical cycle, 2023 is the year of ‘water’, which in Chinese culture is symbolic of agility and fortune.

Taking place on the fifteenth and last day of the Lunar New Year celebrations is the Lantern Festival, where on this night homes and public sites are lit up with the spectacular sight of colourful lanterns, a symbol of reconciliation, peace and forgiveness. In Chinese tradition, families and communities gather and watch as dragon and lion dancers’ parade in the lantern lit night and as fireworks illuminate the skies in celebration of a new year filled with prosperity.

In recognition of this special calendar event, we invite you to join us from January 22 to February 5 at Peninsula Hot Springs. Across the course of the Lunar New Year holiday, we will be hosting a series of events which promote and rejoice the Chinese festivities as well as celebrate our connection to Chinese and Asian cultures in our offering of globally inspired bathing traditions.

our program

Sunday January 22

Lantern making and Calligraphy workshops Amphitheatre Dome | 12pm to 4pm

Be part of creating pieces of art which illuminate a new sense of inspiration and imagination. Through your own practice, deepen your connection to Chinese culture and learn to design your own traditional lantern to use in celebration of the Lantern Festival as part of Lunar New Year.

Lion Dance Amphitheatre stage | 5pm to 5:30pm

The lion dance is one of the most important traditions in Chinese culture amongst the celebrations of Lunar New Year. The performance is held to bring prosperity and good luck as one year comes to an end and another begins.

Gala Performance: Dr. Wang Zheng-Ting Amphitheatre Stage | 7pm to 7:30pm

Dr. Wang Zheng – Ting is a composer and master performer of the Sheng, as known as the Chinese Mouth Organ.

Gala Performance: 陆柒 Lill Chii Amphitheatre Stage | 8pm to 9pm

陆柒 Lill Chii is a folk metal band who use an inspiring combination of both modern western rock as well as traditional Chinese instruments.

Tuesday January 24 to Friday January 27

Hot Springs Qigong with Emma Adnams Amphitheatre | 5pm

Qigong, pronounced as ‘chi gong’ is a type of moving mediation predominant in the way of Chinese Medicine. During this practice, find breath and mindfulness as you flow between postures designed to influence a centred mind and strength in body. As part of our program, be guided by instructor Emma Adnams and combine traditional geothermal bathing with this ancient practice and be part of an experience to bring calm and awareness to our modern world.

Thursday January 26

Bathe in Cinema Screening – Kung Fu Panda Amphitheatre | From 8:15pm

Our Bathe in Cinema experience returns in celebration of Lunar New Year. First, we begin with family favourite Kung Fu Panda.

“To everyone's surprise, including his own, Po, an overweight, clumsy panda, is chosen as protector of the Valley of Peace. His suitability will soon be tested as the valley's arch-enemy is on his way” - IMDB

Thursday February 2

Bathe in Cinema Screening – The Farewell Amphitheatre | From 8:15pm

For our second screening we have dramatic comedy, The Farewell. “A Chinese family discovers their grandmother has only a short while left to live and decide to keep her in the dark, scheduling a wedding to gather before she dies” - IMDB

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A special celebration of traditional cuisine

Across the course of the Lunar New Year celebrations, we will have a restaurant and café offering which reflects important meaning in Chinese culture.

In our Spa Dreaming Centre, enjoy whole baby snapper for two. A common feature on many Lunar New Year menus, fish, especially when whole, is said to represent wholeness, abundance and prosperity for the coming year.

Our Bath House Kiosk will have available our usual rice paper rolls, proven to be a guest favourite as well as almond cookies. Round and golden when baked, almond cookies are said to resemble coins and symbolise good fortune and prosperity for the diner.

In our Amphitheatre Café, immerse yourself in nature as you enjoy steamed pork, prawn and ginger dumplings. Associated with currency, dumplings are said to bring prosperity and luck.