Looking for CNY event ideas that go beyond a rushed lo hei at the pantry counter? Chinese New Year is one of the warmest moments on the Singapore corporate calendar — a natural time to gather the team, thank clients and start the year on an auspicious note. This guide gathers practical, inclusive ideas for a company Chinese New Year celebration, from the all-important yusheng toss to lion dances, festive styling, games and photo moments that get everyone involved.
Why these CNY event ideas work at the office
A company Chinese New Year gathering does more than mark the festival. It closes the loop on the previous year, welcomes people back with a sense of renewal, and creates goodwill with both staff and clients. Because the festival is built around family, reunion and prosperity, it lends a naturally warm, generous tone that formal year-end events sometimes lack. The key is to keep it inclusive — many colleagues will not celebrate CNY at home, so frame the day around togetherness and shared festivity so everyone feels welcome. If you plan wider company celebrations too, our corporate event ideas guide has formats that adapt neatly to a festive theme.
The lo hei: making yusheng the centrepiece
No corporate CNY event feels complete without the yusheng toss. Lo hei is the perfect ice-breaker because everyone gathers around the same platter, chopsticks raised, tossing the raw-fish salad while calling out auspicious phrases for prosperity, health and success in the year ahead. To make it land:
- Brief a host or senior leader to lead the toss and call out the well-wishes as each ingredient goes in.
- Prepare enough platters so tables are not overcrowded — a good toss needs elbow room.
- Offer a vegetarian or non-fish option so everyone can join the ritual.
- Capture it — the raised-chopsticks moment is one of the best group photos of the year.
Done with a bit of energy and a good host, the lo hei sets a joyful tone that carries through the rest of the event.
Entertainment: lion dance, god of fortune and games
Beyond the meal, entertainment is what turns a gathering into a celebration:
- Lion dance — the classic showstopper. The drums, the “cai qing” plucking of greens and the auspicious blessing bring instant festivity and are a magnet for photos.
- God of Fortune (Cai Shen Ye) appearance — handing out mandarin oranges or token ang bao for a fun, lucky touch.
- Festive games — a prosperity-themed quiz, a nian gao or pineapple-tart guessing game, or a lucky draw with auspicious prizes.
- Calligraphy or craft corner — writing spring couplets or making lanterns for a hands-on, cultural touch.
Mix a headline act (like the lion dance) with a couple of lighter activities so there is something for every personality.
Festive styling and decor
Red and gold do the heavy lifting, but a few considered touches make the space feel genuinely festive rather than tokenistic. Cluster decor at high-impact points — the entrance, the stage and the food area — with lanterns, blossom branches, auspicious couplets and a feature backdrop. A styled photo wall gives guests somewhere to take group shots and reinforces the celebratory mood. If you would rather not source and set all of this up in-house, our event styling and decor service can create a cohesive festive look, from backdrops to centrepieces, so your team simply turns up and enjoys it.
Photo moments everyone will share
CNY is wonderfully photogenic, and a strong photo moment gives colleagues keepsakes and floods your internal channels with festive cheer. A themed photo booth with red-and-gold props, mandarin oranges and auspicious signs draws a happy queue and prints instant mementos. For a livelier crowd, a 360 photo booth captures the swirl of the lion dance and the lo hei toss in shareable slow motion. Branding the prints with your company greeting adds a subtle, lasting touch of festive goodwill. Position the booth near the entrance or food area where the energy naturally gathers.
Scaling from a team lunch to a full celebration
Match the format to your headcount and ambition. A simple version might be a catered reunion lunch with a lo hei and a lion dance in the office. A fuller celebration adds a dedicated venue, a hosted programme, games and a photo booth — better suited to larger companies or client-facing events. For anything beyond a modest office gathering, a photo booth paired with a proper venue keeps things comfortable; browse options that suit festive crowds and confirm the space allows a lion dance if you want one, since the drums and props need room. If you would like one team to plan, style and run the whole thing, our corporate events service can take it end to end.
Frequently asked questions
What are good CNY event ideas for a company?
A lo hei yusheng toss is the essential centrepiece, paired with a lion dance, festive games or a quiz, a lucky draw, and a themed photo booth. Style the space in red and gold and cater a reunion-style meal to bring the team together warmly.
How do we keep a CNY celebration inclusive?
Frame the event around togetherness and shared festivity rather than assuming everyone celebrates at home. Invite all colleagues to join the lo hei and activities, offer vegetarian or non-fish options for the toss, and keep the tone welcoming and celebratory for everyone.
Do we need a lion dance?
It is not essential, but a lion dance is a beloved showstopper that brings instant festivity and great photos. If you want one, confirm your venue has enough space and clearance for the drums, props and the “cai qing” routine, and book the troupe early as they get busy.
How much does a corporate CNY event cost?
It varies widely with headcount, catering, entertainment and styling, so request a quote for your plan. A simple office lo hei lunch is very affordable, while a styled celebration with a venue, lion dance and photo booth costs more. Book festive vendors early, as the period is in high demand.
When should we start planning?
Start early — the weeks before Chinese New Year are peak season for lion dance troupes, caterers and venues, which book out fast. Confirming your date, venue and entertainment well ahead gives you the best choice and avoids last-minute scrambles.
Ring in the year with a celebration to remember
The best CNY event ideas bring your team together with warmth, festivity and a few lucky touches — without you having to juggle every vendor. Functions.sg can style the space, arrange the lion dance and lo hei, set up the photo booth and coordinate catering as one seamless package. Request a quote or WhatsApp us on +65 8090 9549, and we will help you welcome the new year in style. Gong xi fa cai!