Lifestyle
JOALI Maldives to host ‘artistic creativity’ kids summer camp
The first and only art-immersive resort in the Maldives has announced its 2024 Kids Summer Camp, taking place during 1 July through 31 August 2024. Surrounded by pristine white-sand beaches, brilliant blue waters and an island-wide art collection of one-of-a-kind installations and experiential pieces, JOALI Maldives Kids Summer Camp will spark creativity and allow kids’ imaginations to soar. Bringing families and young explorers on an unforgettable journey of artistic expression and learning in a breathtaking setting, the island will be joined by world-renowned artists who will further guide, inspire and educate throughout the summer.
Through JOALI Maldives joie de vivre, or “Joy of Living”, philosophy and ongoing commitments to immersion into the local landscape, art, and history of the island’s surroundings, the Kids Summer Camp along with the Muramas Kids Club at JOALI Maldives provides a unique opportunity for kids to develop a greater understanding of and appreciation for nature, wellness and the true joys of living. With a camp theme of ‘Choose Your Joy, Spark Your Creativity’, JOALI Maldives will be joined by international artists to create personalised experiences this summer:
- Emmanuel Deschodt, 8th to 14th July: From Paris, Emmanuel is an artist and a boxer, who blends the two for a dynamic approach to portraiture and performance art. During his time at JOALI Maldives, he will host wood painting workshops, boxing classes, as well as a live performance of his ‘Punch Portrait’, an expressive portrait that combine physicality with artistic expression.
- Karu Paper Studio, 15th to 21st July: Founder of Karu Paper Studio, Anouk Vigneau is a paper artist based in Lillie, Paris. Through cutting, pasting, folding, bending and more, Anouk creates pieces both big and small and will be offering five paper workshops during her time at JOALI Maldives.
- Gabriela Noelle, 5th to 11th August: A Cuban-American artist based in Miami in the United States, Gabriela’s interactive pieces inspire the viewer to see the world through the eyes of a child, from functional items to three-dimensional sculptures. At JOALI, Gabriela will host three workshops for kids and families to create pieces that prompt imagination, exercises curiosity, and creates a bond with their environment.
With each day bringing new possibilities at the Kids Summer Camp, this year’s itinerary is tailor-made for guests between the ages of 4 – 12, and will also include:
- Education & Sustainability: Kids will learn from JOALI’s resident sustainability experts on the importance of becoming a protector of the planet, and will organise eco-activities such as tree planting, organic gardening, as well as workshops on reducing plastic waste and conserving energy.
- Art Classes: In addition to workshops and classes with the visiting artists, kids will embrace their artistic side with JOALI’s resident artists who will teach pottery, photography, wood painting, marble, crystal art, and more.
- Island Immersion: Explore the fascinating plant life of the Maldives on an island walk, and stargaze with JOALI’s resident astronomer, identifying stars and planets in the night sky.
- Culture: Kids will have the opportunity to learn about the Maldivian local culture and rich heritage of the Maldives through traditional music and dance performances.
- Wellness: Wellness experiences during Kids’ Camp include making their own natural soaps and skincare products, yoga classes and boxing classes, all led by JOALI’s wellness experts.
- Culinary: Little Chefs can take part in cooking classes and learn to make sushi, sandwiches and two classic Maldivian dishes — Mas Huni and Huni Roshi.
- Sports & Games: Everyday is filled with games and sports activities such as padel tennis, foam parties, an ocean scavenger hunt with JOALI’s resident Marine Biologist, beach games and more.
While young visitors are at Kids Camp, parents will enjoy the many luxuries of the 73-villa island such as innovative dining concepts, exploring the spectacular sea life, destination programming, and more, including the newly refreshed wellness centre, JOALI BEING Cure, bringing guests the award-winning ‘weightlessness’ philosophy of JOALI BEING. With a selection of beach or overwater villas offering one, two, three and four-bedroom options, families will enjoy private pools, dedicated butlers known as “jadugars” (the Maldivian word for “magician”), bicycle rides around the island together, and memories to last a lifetime.
JOALI Maldives has villas from $2,928 per night based on two persons sharing a Water Villa with Pool on B&B basis. For further details and booking, please visit joali.com.
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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