It’s said that the Year of the Horse is a time of movement, momentum, and bold new beginnings. Known for its energy, independence, and drive, the Horse year encourages action and fresh starts. It’s a season rooted in progress and optimism. That sense of forward motion gives these gatherings extra weight, as families come together carrying shared hope for what’s ahead.
Chinese New Year for Chinese-Filipinos hits differently. It’s not just about the fireworks, or the dragon dances, or the color red. In Cebu, the occasion unfolds through reunion feasts and time-honored traditions that turn meals into more than just another family dinner. Some keep it low-key, others go all out. However you plan to celebrate, these spots around the city are where the Horse gets a proper welcome.
Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino
A tradition that’s as festive as it is symbolic. Tin Gow’s Yee Sang Set Menus invite diners to take part in the classic Yee Sang toss, a lively ritual believed to attract prosperity and good fortune. Centered on sharing, it’s a natural fit for families and large groups starting the year together. Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino welcomes the Year of the Horse on February 16, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Grand Lobby.
Set menus start at PHP 12,888 and are good for up to 10 guests. For inquiries and reservations, call (032) 232-6888 local 8607 or book via bit.ly/WaterfrontCebuBookATable.
Shangri-La Mactan
A Grand Chinese New Year Reunion Feast
If your idea of celebrating includes ocean views, a packed table, and a lechon parade (yes, you read right), this one’s hard to beat. Tides at Shangri-La hosts a Chinese New Year buffet on February 16 and 17, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM, featuring traditional CNY dishes alongside an expansive international spread.
The lechon parade rolls through at 6:45 PM, adding a distinctly Cebuano touch to your night. Dinner is priced at PHP 3,113 net per person—with children aged 6 to 11 dining at 50% off—and includes a complimentary round of house wine, local beer, or soda.
For reservations, visit bit.ly/CNYatTides or contact them at (63 32) 231 0288 or at fbreservations.mac@shangri-la.com.
Chinese New Year Feasts of Fortune
For something more intimate and tradition-focused, Tea of Spring offers curated CNY set menus from February 9 to 28, 2026, available for lunch from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM and dinner from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Designed for group dining, each menu leans into symbolism and balance. Options include the Blissful Set at PHP 2,318++ per person (minimum of four guests), the Longevity Set at PHP 2,788++ per person (minimum of eight), and the Abundance of Wealth “Poon Choi” Set at PHP 2,988++ per person, created for groups of ten or more.
For reservations, visit bit.ly/CNYinShangriLaMactan or contact them at (63 32) 231 0288 or at fbreservations.mac@shangri-la.com.
Jpark Island Resort
A more laid-back but still celebratory option, Alona by Jpark Island Resort’s Gong Xi Fa Cai Dinner Buffet is perfect if you want good food without too much formality. Enjoy Chinese New Year-inspired dishes and a crowd-friendly 4+1 buffet deal—one free dinner for every four paying adults.
Available on February 17, 2026, expect a price of PHP 988 net per person. Kids 7 to 12 get 50% off, while children under 6 eat for free.
For reservations, call +63 917 831 3765 or email rsvn@alonabyjparkislandresort.com.
Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu
Set against a coastal backdrop, The Sails’ Prosperity Feasts: Chinese New Year Dinner Buffet blends classic CNY dishes with Mövenpick’s signature dining style.
It runs on February 16 and 17, 2026, making it a laid-back option for family reunions by the sea. If you’re staying on for the full experience, February 17 kicks off with a Dragon and Lion Dance at 8:15 AM in the hotel lobby, marking the start of the Year of the Horse on a high-energy note.
For reservations, call +63 32 252 7777 or email hotel.cebu@movenpick.com.
Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Temple (Chu Un 慈恩寺 Buddhist Temple)
If you’re looking for something more communal and cultural, the Fo Guang Shan Chu Un Temple’s Chinese New Year 2026 Countdown Celebration brings the Lunar New Year spirit front and center. Expect performances, fireworks, and rituals meant to bring in all the luck and blessings.
Happening on February 16, the festivities begin at 6:00 PM and run all the way to midnight. For a ₱30 entrance fee, you’re already looking at a full evening of booths, performances, Chinese costume rentals, fireworks, and the traditional bell ringing to usher in the new year with luck and blessings.
Luy’s Classic Teahouse
Luy’s Blazing Gallop of Prosperity pairs festive dining with live lion dance performances on February 16, 2026, at 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. The celebration features auspicious set feasts, symbolic Koi Tikoy, private rooms for group dining, and a Feast & Fortune lucky pick for diners, adding a playful touch to the evening.
For bookings, here are some numbers to note down:
0956-839-1270 | 0917-132-3177
(032) 236-0684 | (032) 419-1669
And for inquiries in Chinese, here’s where to contact:
中文咨询: 0917-706-9279
微信号: luysteahouse
Marco Polo Plaza Cebu
For a more premium celebration, Hai Shin Lou offers Chinese New Year set menus suited for large families or corporate-style gatherings.
Two menus are available, both good for ten guests. The Ma Dao Gong Cheng Set Menu is priced at PHP 15,888, while the Full of Energy and Good Fortune Set Menu is offered at PHP 26,888 for a more elevated spread. Both follow classic Cantonese traditions, making this a solid choice for formal reunion dinners.
For full menu details and reservations, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu is quite responsive on its Facebook page.
Ringing it Right
No matter how you celebrate—quietly, lavishly, or somewhere in between—Cebu offers plenty of ways to welcome the Year of the Horse in style. Gather, toss, feast, and make CNY 2026 a year to remember.
