While Lunar New Year is still over a week away, London has wasted no time ushering in the Year of the Horse. Early last week, Raffles London at The OWO marked the occasion with an intimate celebration with Elite Traveler as the exclusive media partner, alongside Selfridges and Sipsmith Gin.
Lunar New Year is the most important traditional holiday in Chinese culture, celebrated not just in Asia but worldwide, and marks the beginning of the lunar calendar. Every Lunar New Year is linked to one of 12 zodiac animals, each tied to personality traits, fortune, and compatibility. In 2026, the holiday begins on February 17, welcoming the Year of the Horse, associated with energy, movement, freedom, and optimism.
There are many key symbolic elements to Lunar New Year celebrations. Red is a central hue to the holiday, coloring everything from lanterns, banners, and paper cutouts to attract prosperity and happiness. Fireworks and firecrackers are used to ward off evil spirits, and money is gifted in red envelopes to symbolize good luck and protection against evil.
Such envelopes were gifted to VVIPs at Raffles London at the OWO last week, where 90 of the hotel’s most valued guests were invited to an exclusive Lunar New Year gathering at The Guard’s Bar & Lounge, set against the backdrop of the Royal Household Cavalry. A year associated with movement and music, event attendees were welcomed into the bar by a seated pipa musician dressed in traditional hanfu.
The evening’s highlight unfolded in the hotel’s grand lobby, where guests were treated to a traditional lion dance blessing ritual. Accompanied by the beat of drums and cymbals, the oversized lion puppet ‘feasted’ on lettuce and tangerines before spraying the crowd – a cultural gesture believed to bring good luck, wealth, and prosperity to those lucky enough to catch it.
Inside the bar, attendees toasted the year ahead with champagne, canapés, and bespoke gin cocktails created in collaboration with Sipsmith Gin. Each departed with a gift from Selfridges, alongside details of Raffles at The OWO’s Lunar New Year Stay, and a complimentary spa consultation.
Available from February through March 15, 2026, the Lunar New Year Stay includes an overnight stay in one of Raffles’ rooms or suites, a traditional Raffles Chinese breakfast, and a celebratory dinner at Saison by Mauro Colagreco with a glass of champagne. Guests will also enjoy a welcome gift and a private luxury shopping experience at Selfridges, complete with personalized service and complimentary delivery back to the hotel.
