Celebrate Chinese New Year at The Peninsula Chicago

As Asia’s oldest luxury hospitality brand, The Peninsula Hotels worldwide will celebrate Chinese heritage and ring in the Year of the Dragon. The Peninsula Chicago is pleased to present inspiring initiatives and special décor throughout the holiday, along with music, food and activities on the most fortunate date of the year, February 10, 2024. The hotel will offer guests a personalized experience during the Chinese New Year designed to create memories, including the traditional lion dance, and authentic dining delights from Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea to special Chinese menus at Shanghai Terrace.

Auspicious Traditional Lion Dances to Start a New Year

On Saturday, February 10, 2024, a traditional lion dance will commence at 3:00 pm at The Peninsula Chicago’s front entrance amid a joyful atmosphere, while loud drumbeats and strong cymbal crashes scare away evil spirits. The lion troupe will then make its way down the gallery on the hotel’s main fifth floor lobby, weaving through the tables in The Lobby during Afternoon Tea at approximately 3:15 pm. A child will be invited to “feed” lettuce to the lion, representing good luck for the coming year.

Holiday Décor to Bring Fortune and Luck

The Peninsula Chicago will be adorned with red lanterns and festive décor throughout the hotel. The color red represents joy and luck in Chinese culture, and so the hotel’s facade will be illuminated in red, adding to the spirit of the season. The Lobby will be decked with red flowers and tangerine trees, representing good fortune. Guest rooms will also feature festive customs, including a red packet containing a large chocolate coin that will be placed in all guest rooms during turn-down service on Friday, February 9, 2024, the eve of Chinese New Year. Traditionally, Chinese customs are to place a red packet with lucky money underneath the pillow on the eve of the New Year to wish for a healthy and prosperous year.

Quintessential Gourmet Delicacies to Share with Friends and Family

Food plays a key role in Chinese culture, and no less so than at Chinese New Year. At Shanghai Terrace from Friday, January 26th through Sunday, February 11, 2024 guests can raise a toast in celebration of a signature Chinese New Year-inspired cocktail, ‘Yellow Earth,’ featuring chili and goji berry-infused Grey Goose vodka, mandarin clementine, lime, and grapefruit bitters, for US $24. Then indulge in a six-course Chinese menu of authentic favorites. The menu which features a Shanghai Terrace appetizer trio, followed by golden shrimp, steamed Chilean seabass, traditional lemon chicken, beef tenderloin in XO sauce, concluding with strawberry inspiration chocolate mousse. This menu is priced at US$ 168 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. This special menu will be offered in addition to the regular á la carte menu. Guests will receive the traditional red packet as a parting gift. Reservations may be made via OpenTable or by calling +1 (312) 337 2888. 

Special Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea 

A special Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea will be served at 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm in The Lobby on Friday, February 9th through Sunday, February 11th, 2024. The menu features distinctively festive flavors including traditional Chinese fare. On Saturday, February 10th attendees will witness the annual Lion Dance in The Lobby during the 2:30 pm tea seating. The Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea is available for US$ 140 for adults, including a glass of Champagne. Guests will receive the traditional red packet as a parting gift. Reservations for Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea may be made via TOCK. 

To make reservations or for more information, please call direct at +1 (312) 337 2888, toll-free at 1 866 288 8889, visit peninsula.com/chicago or e-mail reservationPCH@peninsula.com.  Some experiences may only be booked via TOCK. Terms and conditions apply.