Celebration
Festive revelry in Nature’s Playground as Niyama to host Maldives’ greatest New Year’s Eve show
Tradition meets glamour at Niyama Private Islands Maldives, with Christmas sparkle mirroring the lush tropical setting. A host of happenings throughout the holidays caters for honeymooners, families and active solos alike. Wander the Christmas market’s stalls on December 22, with mulled wine, eggnog and festive treats. Take the kids to meet Santa six metres below the ocean’s surface on the 23. Feast as a family on the beach on Christmas Day, with roast turkey and all your favourite trimmings.
Witness the greatest show the Maldives has ever seen this New Year’s Eve, as Niyama presents a night with the stars, with performers flying in from all over the world. Diversity Juniors, born from the incredible dance collective, Diversity, Winners of British Got Talent, bring their breath-taking energy to the beautiful beach. America’s Got Talent’s Will Tsai who took the world by storm then wows with visual illusions. Dine as soul band Soul Family croons after their 11-year residency at the famous Ronnie Scott’s Nightclub in Soho, London, and magicians Brendan Rodrigues and Laura London take the floor. Count down as fireworks burst over the ocean, dancing on the beach until sunrise.

Diversity Juniors

Will Tsai

Soul Family

Brendan Rodrigues and Laura London
A whole calendar of visiting wellness practitioners, guest chefs and artists in residence keeps the islands buzzing well into January. Get into shape with celebrity trainer Ingrid Clay. Find inner healing with acupuncturist Dr Rui Loureiro. Get ready for a new you with ace Hollywood cosmetic surgeon Dr Alessi and his non-surgical facelifts. Artist Ibrahim Ali unleashes the inner painter in you with masterclasses, while two Michelin-starred Chef Hervé Rodriguez tempts the palate at Edge.
The kids enjoy their own fun this festive season — be sure to pack a costume for their superhero party. As well as daily activities at the kids’ club – the Maldives’ most extensive, catering for four age groups – a fashion show and scavenger hunt are lined up, as well as a visit from Santa with gifts for all.
Niyama, a popular A-list hideaway nestled in the Dhaalu atoll, offers guests exclusive access to its twin islands – Chill and Play – conveniently connected via a picturesque bridge.
The family-friendly retreat, surrounded by picturesque shorelines and lush vegetation, has nine deluxe room categories ranging from spacious beachfront studios and one-bedroom water pavilions to three-bedroom family beach pavilions with two private pools, jacuzzi and a personal spa treatment room. With state-of-the-art amenities, in-room fridges filled with gourmet treats, a private butler plus the magic of the Maldivian island, this is the ultimate antidote to city life.
The jewel in the resort’s crown is the magnificent Crescent, a playground of five ultra-chic villas, all with private pools, for up to 14 adults and eight children. Boasting a private chef, two butlers, a housekeeper and a host of complimentary activities including a sunset dhoni cruise and movie under the stars, this over water sanctuary is the perfect paradise treat for extended families, honeymooners and discerning travellers.
With nine dining destinations, including tree house restaurant Nest and the world’s first underwater playground Subsix, guests can enhance their stay at Niyama with surreal gastronomic experiences.
Young VIPs will adore the Explorers Kids Club with its range of activities including nature expeditions around the tropical isles to MasterChef classes, while adventure-seeking teens and adults will be inspired by the resort’s excellent water sports offerings such as surfing, scuba diving and jet-skiing. Wellness devotees looking to indulge in a spot of indulgent pampering can retreat to the tranquil Drift by Niyama spa while enjoying the crystal-clear turquoise sea views from the six overwater treatment rooms.
Niyaa warmly invites you or the end-of-year celebrations. Book your stay now, or for more information visit www.niyama.com or call +960 676 2828.
Celebration
Spooky glamour takes over Lazuli Beach Club at SO/ Maldives
SO/ Maldives presents a bold fusion of avant-garde style and barefoot luxury, creating a distinctive island experience where fashion, art, and contemporary design converge. The resort embodies creativity and sophistication across its vibrant villas, dining venues, and beach clubs, inviting guests to embrace the high-energy spirit of “Style, Bold, and Playful.”
This Halloween, the resort will transform into an island of eerie elegance and playful mischief, offering guests an unconventional celebration on the shores of Lazuli Beach Club. On Friday, 31 October 2025, the day’s festivities will include activities for all ages, from imaginative workshops to moonlit gatherings by the sea.
The celebrations will begin with interactive family experiences at The Nest, including Mask Making, Tie-Dye Halloween T-Shirt Painting, and Scary Cookie Making. Children can also enjoy DIY Costume Creation, Face Painting, and a Trick-or-Treat Parade along Lazuli Beach Club. The daytime programme is designed to inspire creativity and fun for both young guests and adults.
As evening approaches, the atmosphere will take on a more mysterious tone. The Witches & Waves Dinner will be served beachside from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM, offering a four-course set menu accompanied by a themed welcome cocktail and a captivating ambience under the stars.
From 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM, guests can enjoy Spooky Special Cocktails at Lazuli Beach Club Bar with 50% off themed drinks, followed by the Spooky Halloween Party featuring DJ performances, glow body paint, and “witchy shoulder spells”—a five-minute charm that may win participants 50% off. The evening will culminate in the Glow Foam Party at 8:30 PM, combining music, lights, and foam against the backdrop of the moonlit sea.
“This isn’t your average haunted house; it’s a beachfront bash with a twist of glamour and a splash of mischief,” said Olivier Moies-Delval, General Manager of SO/ Maldives. “We’re reimagining Halloween in true SO/ style—bold, beautiful, and beyond expectations.”
Celebration
W Maldives introduces its ‘Make Waves, New Traditions’ festive series
W Maldives is inviting guests to Make Waves, New Traditions this festive season, presenting a celebration that redefines the holidays with creativity, connection, and indulgence. From 23 December to 1 January, the resort will transform into a tropical haven where every moment is designed for joy and every guest has officially “Made the List.”
The festivities commence with Twinkle & Toast, a lighting ceremony that marks the start of a vibrant, week-long calendar of events. Highlights include flame-grilled feasts on FIRE Beach for Christmas Eve, holiday movie nights under the stars, festive afternoon teas overlooking the reef, seafood markets brimming with fresh coastal flavours, and a Maldivian beach barbecue infused with rhythm and local flair. On New Year’s Eve, the island will evolve into a lively playground featuring creative cocktails, immersive culinary journeys, electrifying performances, and fireworks over the Indian Ocean to welcome 2025 in true W style.
This year’s celebration also introduces The Restore Series with internationally acclaimed wellness coach Arron Collins-Thomas, founder of TONIQ. Integrating Qigong, breathwork, and cold-water therapy with energising workouts and restorative rituals, the seven-day wellness experience aims to refresh both body and mind while harmonising with the festive atmosphere. Guests can take part in sunrise sessions, sunset meditations, and ice-bath resets, embracing wellness as an essential part of the celebration and preparing themselves for the year ahead.
Culinary experiences take centre stage in this season of togetherness and authenticity. From ocean-to-table creations at FISH to Chef Bakaa’s festive degustation menu and the dynamic seafood markets at KITCHEN, each dining encounter blends local ingredients with bold imagination. Guests are encouraged to come together, share stories, and experience the Maldivian spirit through flavours that are both comforting and refreshingly innovative.
“This is the season to connect, recharge, and celebrate without boundaries,” said Amila Handunwala, General Manager of W Maldives. “At W Maldives, we embrace the unexpected. Make Waves, New Traditions is our invitation for guests to come together, savour the island’s soul, and create memories that sparkle long after the fireworks fade.”
With its star-lit skies, daring gastronomy, revitalising wellness rituals, and music that carries into the night, W Maldives offers a festive escape where traditions are reimagined and every guest truly Makes the List.
Celebration
Gourmet journeys and island traditions define festive season at Kandolhu Maldives
Kandolhu Maldives has unveiled its festive programme for the 2025 holiday season, running from 19 December through to the New Year, promising guests a celebration filled with style, warmth, and Maldivian charm. The island’s festive calendar blends gourmet dining, ocean adventures, and cultural experiences, creating an atmosphere that captures the essence of Kandolhu — Shaped by the Sea.
Throughout the festive period, the resort’s culinary team will host an exceptional series of themed dining events. Guests can enjoy “Taste of the Sea” seafood nights and “Lobster & Sparkling Wine” evenings at Sea Grill, an authentic Indian Thali experience and a pan-Asian night at The Market, and “Chapoutier Uncorked” at Olive — a curated wine journey through the Rhône Valley and other European vineyards of M. Chapoutier. Ata Roa will also host a hands-on Ceviche Masterclass, where participants can learn to prepare this classic dish and craft the perfect Pisco Sour.
On Christmas Eve, the celebrations will begin with a cocktail party followed by a Gala Dinner on the beach, featuring an array of international festive dishes and grilled favourites. The merriment continues on Christmas Day with a beachside buffet at Vilu Bar, allowing guests to dine under the stars in true island style.
As the year draws to a close, Kandolhu will host an elegant New Year’s Eve celebration, beginning with cocktails and a six-course degustation dinner, followed by live music and a DJ set to welcome 2026 in spectacular fashion. Guests can ease into the new year with a leisurely late breakfast on 1 January.
Those seeking wellness and adventure will find plenty of experiences through the Noovilu sports centre, offering guided snorkelling with manta rays, sunset kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. At Varu Spa, relaxation takes centre stage with treatments such as the “Rose Indulgent Scrub,” “Muscle Boost” deep tissue massage, and the “Varu Haven” couples’ experience.
Adding a cultural touch, the festive schedule includes a palm-leaf Christmas decoration workshop and a traditional Maldivian Boduberu drum and dance performance.
Combining fine dining, meaningful experiences, and island-inspired festivities, Kandolhu Maldives promises a magical holiday season filled with memorable moments and refined celebration.
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