Entertainment
Finolhu to kickstart ‘Finolhu Blhu’ events for 2017
Finolhu is gearing up to welcome exclusive talent from the world over to the shores of Maldives as part of its vibe-defining “Finolhu Blhu” events for 2017.
“Finolhu Blhu” events, held four times a year, will commence with “Evolution” event extravaganza that will take place from March 27-31 at the island’s 1OAK Beach Club.
For four nights, guests can expect non-stop exhilarating party fun with special themed events every night and world-class, boundary pushing entertainment brought to the Maldives in collaboration with Area 51, Finolhu’s very own crew of entertainers and Imaginoire, a luxe lifestyle events management company from Singapore founded by Jeannette Tan, specialised in creating unique edgy event concepts and curating exceptional talents from across the globe.
Some of the performers and highlights of the festival include:
The Riffs: The acid Jazz band was born in Turin, Italy in 2015. The range from R’n’B to Fusion, Rock, Pop, Lounge, International Repertoire and Hip Hop make Riffs one of the most interesting band of Italy.
DJ Tony Montana: Since 2000 Montana spans the globe, playing the hottest beach clubs in Ibiza, Bali, Maldives and other destinations such as Dubai, Phuket, Sri Lanka, Malta and the Greek Islands.
DJ Jaffa: Since 1998 in the UK, Ibiza, Italy and Thailand, he’s played large festivals and major nightclubs such as the Es Paradis famous water party in Ibiza.
DJ Patrick Olivier: Played through the early 2000s at the regular hot spots on South Beach, Patrick Oliver was soon performing at nightclubs and festivals all over the world; Italy, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, India, China, Germany, Taiwan and Malaysia alongside world-class artists such as Deadmau5, Dash Berlin, Kaskade, LMFAO, Pitbull, and Armand Van Heldan. Today Patrick continues to tour the globe DJing for at top nightclubs and private events from Asia to Europe.
DJ Ono: Constantly touring Asia holding residencies in Bangkok, Japan, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Korea and Taiwan, and is a member of The Heavyhitters, which is one of the leading DJ crews in the world.
Sukki: Known as the modern Asian role model and “one of the most beautiful women in burlesque” (Female First). Mashable has referred to her as “the kind of person who electrifies the internet”, Facebook chose her to represent “what International Women’s Day was all about”, Her World Singapore hailed her as a “firm demonstration of female empowerment”, and her fans include Cherie Blair, Bill Gates, and Buckingham Palace. Even Desmond Tuttu has referred to her as “wonderful.”
I AM: The passionate all female creative collective from New York by American director and producer Kate March, is a global pioneer for immersive dining and interactive experiences in non-traditional performance settings. Using fashion, dance, live art, and music, I AM transports people to a niche world of infinite imagination and redefines the exchange between audience and performer.
Chi Chi Von Tang: A celebrity-loved fashion label from Singapore, which fuses east and west. This bad-ass brand is known for its street-luxe sensibility, melding luxurious materials and workmanship with every day wearable statement pieces. As worn by Mick Jagger, Eve, and Southeast Asia’s Fashion Elite.
Bringing a timeless sense of style to the pristine lagoons and rich waters of the Maldives’ Baa Atoll, Finolhu, which opened last June, is a refined, retro-inspired island paradise for the fun-loving beach-erati, and an unexpected revival of the halcyon days of the classic chic getaway. With its retro themed Maldives island concept, Finolhu, run by The Small Maldives Island Co., caters to guests seeking fun and adventure on a party atmosphere.
Entertainment
Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort sets stage for first music festival in May 2026
Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort will host Your Paradise Maldives from 11 to 16 May 2026, as the boutique, destination-led Your Paradise music festival makes its Maldives debut with a curated roster of global electronic tastemakers. Marking the resort’s inaugural music festival, the award-winning Avani+ Fares Maldives sets the stage for a lifestyle-led escape that pairs sun-soaked sets with easy-going island living.
Designed around the island’s natural rhythm, Your Paradise – with past editions in Fiji and a strong international following – will unfold across a series of open-air stages and social spaces, shifting from golden-hour sets by the lagoon to pop-up beach parties and after-dark sessions with seamless transitions from day to night.
The phase one line-up features Ayybo, Arielle Free, Coco & Breezy, Double Touch, Jordan Brando & William Kiss, Low Steppa, Melé, Niiko x Swae, Sarah Story, Sasha Spielberg, Tom & Collins and Tori Levett, with further names to be announced. Delivering everything from feel-good house through to deeper club sounds, the festival is a limited-ticket experience with dedicated travel packages available.
Set on the natural island of Fares on the western edge of Baa Atoll’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort is ideal for festival crews, solo travellers and couples, with a mix of Beach Pool Villas and Over Water Villas, plus Two and Four-Bedroom Pavilions for groups of up to eight. For those going all in, the resort also offers two 287 sqm Two-Bedroom Overwater Pool Residences and a 368 sqm Three-Bedroom Overwater Pool Residence, each with an oversized terrace, infinity pool and seamless indoor-outdoor dining made for a private after-party. For sundowners with a local twist, the resort’s Ambaa Adventure sees a traditional dhoni cruise the lagoon, delivering handcrafted cocktails and mocktails direct to guests’ overwater pool decks.
Between sets, guests can lean into island life with watersports, diving and snorkelling on the house reef, then reset with sunrise yoga and meditation at AvaniFit and post-party recovery at AvaniSpa. The resort also offers easy access to the atoll’s marine highlights, including Hanifaru Bay, one of the world’s most celebrated manta ray hotspots.
Avani+ Fares has built strong momentum since opening in 2023, named Best Beach Resort 2025 at the TTM Awards, following its Best Dive Resort win in 2024, with General Manager Judd Rabbidge recognised as Resort Manager of the Year 2025 at the Global Hospitality ON Awards.
Rates for Your Paradise Maldives start from USD 2,599 per person, with solo, couple and group packages available. Each package includes five nights at Avani+ Fares Maldives on a half board basis, main stage performances and exclusive parties, as well as group yoga and meditation sessions. For more information and to book, visit www.avanihotels.com/en/fares-maldives, email fares@avanihotels.com or call +960 660 1660.
Entertainment
Hulhumalé’ set for New Year festivities as Visit Maldives and partners launch preparations
Visit Maldives Corporation, together with the Ministry of Tourism & Environment and the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), has commenced planning for New Year celebrations in Hulhumalé’, building on the success and positive public response of last year’s festivities.
The celebrations are expected to feature signature elements that resonated strongly with the public in 2024, including a special Drone Show, Fireworks, Food stalls, and cultural experiences designed for both locals and visitors. The initiative, running from 30 December 2025 to 1 January 2026, aims to once again create a vibrant, inclusive, and family-friendly atmosphere to welcome the New Year.
At this stage, planning is ongoing and further details regarding the programme, dates, and activations will be announced in due course.
The New Year celebrations are being developed as a joint initiative by Visit Maldives, the Ministry of Tourism & Environment, and HDC.
Organisers are also in discussions with potential partners and sponsors and welcome expressions of interest from organisations keen to be part of this national celebration.
Entertainment
Award-winning singer Nicole Scherzinger to appear at One&Only Reethi Rah’s New Year’s Eve celebrations
One&Only Reethi Rah, the all-villa resort in the Maldives, has announced the international star and award-winning singer Nicole Scherzinger will make an exclusive live appearance during the resort’s iconic New Year’s Eve celebrations, welcoming guests into 2026 with a special musical performance as part of the countdown.
Renowned for her magnetic stage presence and powerhouse vocals, Nicole Scherzinger originally rose to fame as a member of one of the best-selling female groups of all time, the Pussycat Dolls, before pursuing her career as a solo musician, a judge on various television shows, and a stage actress in theatrical work such as in Cats and Sunset Boulevard. Throughout her career, Scherzinger has received numerous nominations and awards, including the 2024 Laurence Olivier Award and the 2025 Tony Award, both for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in Sunset Boulevard.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Indian Ocean, the resort’s annual New Year’s Eve celebrations take place on 31st December 2025 at the Believe Ball, the Festive program’s main event featuring a refined beachside cocktail reception before unfolding into a joyous evening of epicurean discovery and thrilling entertainment. As the year draws to a close, Scherzinger will take the stage for a highlight live performance as part of the countdown, bringing the New Year’s celebrations to new heights with glamour, energy, and musical prowess.
“We are thrilled and honoured to welcome Nicole Scherzinger to One&Only Reethi Rah for our New Year’s Eve celebrations,” said Jan Tibaldi, General Manager of the resort. “Her global appeal, extraordinary talent, and dynamic energy make her the perfect artist to be part of our most iconic evening of the year, setting the scene for a remarkable welcome to 2026.”
The Festive season at One&Only Reethi Rah invites guests to embrace the spirit of the season with this year’s theme of Believe, centered on celebrating the joy, wonder, and magic of the holidays. From Christmas family traditions and world-class culinary experiences to quiet moments of deep wellbeing and exciting sports tournaments, the resort’s Festive program promises an array of unforgettable moments designed to delight guests of all ages and interests. Scherzinger’s special live appearance will be the highlight of the program, culminating with an exciting countdown to welcome the New Year.
The Festive season at One&Only Reethi Rah commences on 20th December 2025 with the traditional Tree Lighting Ceremony & Cocktail and ends on 13th January 2026 with the Orthodox New Year Gala Dinner.
Reservations and pre-bookings are recommended for most of the Festive events. For inquiries and bookings, please contact the VIP Services team at reethirah.festive@oneandonlyreethirah.com. For bookings, please call +960 664 8800 or contact the Reservations team at reservations@oneandonlyreethirah.com.
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