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Unwrap enchantment of Maldives this festive season with unbeatable stay at Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives
The festive season is just around the corner, and there has never been a better time to dive into the adventure at the newly opened Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives. To ensure your festive getaway is nothing short of legendary, this breathtaking underwater-themed paradise will present an action-packed lineup of activities to keep the whole family feeling jolly. Promising a series of unmissable adventures like engaging crafts and scavenger hunts for young guests and elegant sunset cocktails for adults, all set against the glistening sea views, now is the perfect opportunity to book your dream holiday getaway.
December 22nd
Kick off the festivities in style at the Kids’ Club from 11am where young guests will have the chance to make their very own holiday ornaments, the perfect souvenir to remind you of your family getaway. Alternatively, venture to the Sailhouse for an afternoon of crafting delicious gingerbread houses, followed by a magnificent tree decorating and lighting ceremony at Mirage Bridge to finish the day on an extra merry note.
- Holiday Ornament Making: 11am to 12pm at Kids’ Club
- Festive Gingerbread House Making: 3pm to 4pm at Sailhouse’
- Festive Tree Decorating & Tree Lighting Ceremony: 30pm to 7.30pm at Mirage Bridge
December 23rd
Promising a splash of adventure from dawn till dusk, kick off the day with the Beach & Sand ‘Snowman’ Challenge and sculpt your own sandy masterpiece. Stick around as the whole family dives into the fun with the Pirates of the Sea treasure hunt, where mysteries of the Mirage await to be uncovered. Finally, join the fun with Uncle Octopus’ Lazy River Race, bringing the island community together for waves of laughter and celebration.
- Beach & Sand ‘Snowman’ Challenge: 10am to 11pm at the Beach
- Family Fun Day/Pirates of the Sea: 3pm to 4pm at the Beach
- Uncle Octopus’ Lazy River Race: 4pm to 5pm at the Lazy River
December 24th
This festive eve, there will be an extra sprinkling of magic in the air at Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives as Santa makes his way to the island to deliver toys to all the children. As the excitement builds, gather the gang for a special holiday scavenger hunt to find things left by Madame Stingray on her first visit to the Mirage or let your little ones show off their skills at the Seaside Strikers Beach Football Match. To finish the day off, kids can unleash their creativity with a festive eve art activity at the Kids’ Corner, where they can count down to the big day with paint, glitter, and plenty of holiday cheer.
- Magical Island Scavenger Hunt – Festive Edition: 10am to 11am at the Kids’ Club
- Seaside Strikers – a Beach Football Match: 4pm to 5pm at the Kids’ Club
- Christmas Eve Kids’ Art Corner: 6pm to 9.30pm at the Kids’ Corner at the Main Pool
- Festive Eve Cocktail & Gala Dinner: 6pm to 9.30pm at the Sailhouse and Main Pool
December 25th
On December 25th, the elves at Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives will be pulling out all the stops to ensure your holiday is anything but ordinary. Begin the big day at the Kids’ Club where young guests will have one more chance to get a good word in with the big man with a Letter to Santa & Santa’s Arts & Crafts session. Next up, head to the Sailhouse to tuck into a festive day brunch packed with all your favourite holiday goodies before enjoying a special appearance from Santa on the beach. Once the sun has set, treat the kids to a fun-filled evening at Madame Stingray’s Pyjama Party.
- Letter to Santa & Santa’s Arts & Craft: 11am to 12pm at the Kids’ Club
- Festive Day Brunch: 30pm to 3pm at the Sailhouse
- Santa’s Arrival: 3pm to 4pm at the Beach
- Madame Stingray’s Pyjama Party: 7pm to 9pm at the Beach/ Main Pool
December 26th
Still got some holiday spirit left in you? Dive into a day packed with fun, starting with Jellyfish Limbo and Shark Attack Tag at the Kids’ Club. Then, embark on an Underwater Treasure Hunt with Papa Turtle before he returns, and wrap up the day with a beach volleyball match for the whole family at the E-Zone – because nothing screams the holidays quite like some friendly competition!
- Jellyfish Limbo & Shark Attack Tag: 11am to 12pm at the Kids’ Club
- Underwater Treasure Hunt: 2pm to 3pm at the Kids’ Club
- Block Busters – A Friendly Volleyball Match: 4pm to 5pm at the E-Zone
December 27th
Prepare to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the Maldives as you explore the pristine beaches as a family with a seashell hunting and crafts activity or take the plunge with guided lagoon snorkelling and an underwater scavenger hunt. For something a little more chill, make yourself cosy at the Kids’ Club for a festive movie night under the stars.
- Down by the Sea – Seashell Hunting & Crafts: 10am to 11pm at the Beach
- Under the Sea Scavenger Hunt – A Guided Lagoon Snorkeling: 3pm to 4pm at the E-Zone
- Kids’ Movie Night: 7pm to 9pm at the Kids’ Club
December 28th
Soar into the holiday spirit with an exhilarating kite challenge on the beach, testing how long your kites can dance in the breeze. After conquering the skies, gather your crew for a game of frisbee in the ‘Game of Throws,’ soaking up the sun and island vibes. When it’s time to cool down, head to the Dolphin Pool Bar for BLU! SPLASH, where the beats are fresh, the cocktails are chilled, and the laughter flows as freely as the island breeze.
- Up Up and Away – A Kite Flying Challenge: 10am to 11am at the Beach
- Game of Throws – A Frisbee Friendly Match: 1pm to 2pm at Teens
- BLU! SPLASH by the Pool: 3pm to 5pm at the Dolphin Pool Bar
December 29th
Keep the festive buzz alive and freshen up your mocktail-making skills as you mix, stir, muddle, and shake up sparkling holiday concoctions at the E-Zone. Meanwhile, young adventurers are invited to step up to the challenge at Papa Turtle’s epic Sea Creature Obstacle race. Finally, reunite the whole family with a blissful ‘It’s a Sunset Affair’, serving plenty of refreshing beverages and mesmerising island views, followed by a spectacular kids’ talent show to mark the end of another day in paradise.
- Bubbly Blast – Holiday Mocktail Making: 11am to 12pm at the E-Zone
- Sea Creature Obstacle Race: 4pm to 5pm at the Kids’ Club
- It’s a Sunset Affair: 30 to 7pm at Mirage Beach
- Get your Sparkle On – Kids’ Spectacular Talent Show: 7pm to 9pm at Mirage Beach
December 30th
Let the countdown to the new year begin with a morning of sea creature-themed arts and crafts at the Kids’ Club or dive into an afternoon of discovery with the Island Sea Creatures Hunt, where little adventurers can uncover the secrets of the Mirage. As the day turns to night, gather at the Amphitheatre for a magical movie experience under a starlit sky, the perfect way to wind down after a day of sandy escapades.
- Create Your Own Sea Creature Crafts: 11am to 12pm at the Kids’ Club
- Discover the Mirage Underwater World Themed Island Playground – Island Sea Creatures Hunt: 4pm to 5pm at the Kids’ Club
- A Theatre Under the Stars: 9pm to 11pm at the Amphitheater
December 31st
Allow your little explorers to bid farewell to 2024 at the Kids’ Club with a DIY Memoir session, capturing all their favourite moments of the year with drawings, photos, and stories. For something more high-energy, head to the E-zone to battle it out in a beach badminton match.
As the countdown approaches, make your first toast with a refreshing pre-dinner cocktail on the beach before heading to the New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner for an unforgettable bash. While the kids let their imaginations run wild at the Kid’s Art Corner, adults are invited to ring in the new year in style with a dazzling poolside party packed with live music and a DJ spinning the freshest beats – make sure to reserve your bottle of sparkling in advance!
- DIY Year 2024 Memoir: 11am to 12pm at the Kids’ Club
- Island Smashers – A Beach Badminton Match: 4pm to 5pm at the E-Zone
- The last day of 2024: 6pm to 7pm at the beach
- New Year’s Eve – Kids’ Art Corner: 7pm to 11pm at the Kids’ Club
- New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner: 7pm to 9.30pm at the Sailhouse
- The New Year’s Eve Party: 10pm until late at the Poolside
January 1st
Kick off 2025 with a touch of magic as young adventurers at the Kids’ Club create their own time capsules, filled with dreams and memories, and bury them in the enchanted sands of Mirage Beach. After the little ones have sealed their wishes for the year ahead, the whole family is invited to a flavourful New Year’s Day brunch at the oceanfront Sailhouse. To wash down all the delicious food, continue the festivities with a lavish sunset cocktail on Mirage Beach.
- Make a Special Time Capsule Project: 11am to 12pm at the Kids’ Club
- New Year’s Day Brunch: 7am to 2.30pm at the Sailhouse
- First Toast of the Year – Sunset Cocktail: 6pm to 7pm at Mirage Beach
January 2nd
Continue the underwater-themed adventure at the Kids’ Club where young guests can unleash their inner artist with a unique Stained Glass crafting session. Next, get the whole family involved with an afternoon of unmissable games, crafts, delicious food, and special surprises by the beach or let the little ones loose with a fun-packed Kids’ Night Out at the Kids’ Club.
- Stained Glass Under the Sea: 10am to 11am at the Kids’ Club
- Family Fun Day: 4pm to 5pm at the Beach
- Kids’ Night Out: 7pm to 9pm at the Kids’ Club
January 3rd
Your festive trip to the Maldives would not be complete without exploring its vibrant marine life and the Guided Lagoon Snorkelling and Under the Sea Scavenger Hunt is the perfect option. Follow Papa Turtle’s trail to uncover hidden treasures beneath the waves, then head to the beach for a lively Crab Hunt & Crab Race. To end the day, get comfy with loved ones for a magical family movie night under the open Maldivian sky.
- Under the Sea Scavenger Hunt – A Guided Lagoon Snorkeling: 10am to 11am at the E-Zone
- We are going on a Crab Hunt & Crab Race: 4pm to 5pm at the E-Zone
- Under the Stars Family Movie Night: 8pm to 10pm at the Kids’ Club
January 4th
Step up to the challenge as Papa Turtle invites young guests to the Waves of Fun Obstacle Race, promising to be an absolute whale of a time. Additionally, stick around the Kids’ Club for a friendly water balloon fight.
- Waves of Fun Obstacle Race: 10am to 11am at the Kids’ Club
- Jellyfish Races – A Water Balloon Friendly Fight: 4pm to 5pm at the Kids’ Club
January 5th
Let the spirit of adventure continue well into the new year at the Kid’s Club. On January 5th, kids can test their wits with a series of mind-bending puzzles at the Might Mind Ocean Adventure or take the fun to new heights with an exciting kite flying challenge.
- Mighty Mind Ocean Adventure: 11am to 12pm at the Kids’ Club
- Up Up and Away – A Kite Flying Challenge: 4pm to 5pm at the Kids’ Club
January 6th
Wrap up your festive island escape with activities to enchant the whole family. Beginning at the Kids’ Club, youngsters are welcomed to a sandcastle-building competition followed by a beach football match. Finally, promising the perfect ending to an unforgettable trip, gather your nearest and dearest for an evening of dazzling festive colours, scrumptious food, and live music at Suan Bua Beach.
- Build Your Own Sand Castle Challenge: 10am to 11am at the Kids’ Club
- Seaside Strikers – A Beach Football Match: 4pm to 5pm at the E-Zone
- An Orthodox Christmas Evening with Traditions & Toasts: 7pm to 11pm at Suan Bua Beach
For bookings and more information, please call +960 401 5555 or email cmlm@chr.co.th
Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa, part of The Centara Collection, offers an island experience shaped by the rhythm of the ocean in the heart of South Ari Atoll. While the resort is widely recognised for its celebrated dive sites, award-winning house reef and rich marine life, another presence quietly anchors the spirit of the island.
Within the peaceful grounds of SPA Cenvaree stands a centuries-old banyan tree known locally as the Ummeedhu Tree, meaning Wish Fulfilment. With its expansive canopy and cascading aerial roots, the tree is regarded as more than a natural landmark. It is a symbol of continuity and reflection, standing as a silent witness to the island’s past and present.
Long before the island became a resort destination, the banyan tree stood rooted in the sands of Machchafushi. Today, the resort honours it as the spiritual heart of the island, inviting guests to pause beneath its branches and engage in moments of reflection and reconnection.
This connection is expressed through the Sacred Thread Ceremony, a contemplative ritual designed to offer guests a personal and meaningful experience. The ceremony begins with a quiet walk through the spa gardens, encouraging stillness and intention. Guests select a delicate golden leaf to represent a personal wish—whether for love, wellbeing, success, abundance or inner peace—and hold it alongside a wish card while visualising that intention fulfilled. The golden leaf is then tied to the banyan’s ancient branches, symbolising the offering of the wish to the tree’s enduring presence. The leaf remains there, carrying the quiet energy of the intention until the guest’s return.
Beyond the banyan, the island continues its natural rhythm. The surrounding waters form part of one of the Maldives’ most significant marine environments, known for year-round whale shark encounters and an extensive house reef that stretches beyond the shoreline. Yet amid the movement of the sea and the vibrancy of coral life, it is often the stillness beneath the banyan tree that leaves the most lasting impression.
Sustainability and heritage are integral to life on Machchafushi Island. Located within the South Ari Marine Protected Area, the island is committed to safeguarding both its marine ecosystems and its cultural identity. The banyan tree stands as a reminder that preservation extends beyond the natural environment to include traditions, stories and the deeper connections between people and place.
At Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa, each day unfolds with moments shaped by nature and intention. From golden sunrises over the lagoon to wishes entrusted to ancient branches, experiences on the island are designed not only to be remembered, but to take root.
The Fari Islands Festival is set to return from 13 to 15 August 2026, bringing together Patina Maldives, Fari Islands and The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands for a three-day celebration of creativity, culture, wellbeing and nature across the Fari Islands archipelago.
Following the success of its inaugural edition in September 2025, the festival will once again transform the two resorts into a shared platform for artistic expression, culinary exploration and holistic experiences. Designed as an immersive gathering rather than a conventional event, the festival invites guests to slow down, connect and engage with the islands through carefully curated moments shaped by place, people and creative exchange.
Conceived under the philosophy of The Home of Island Artistry, Fari Islands represents a vision where luxury, nature, craft and community coexist in balance. This ethos continues to underpin the 2026 edition of the festival, which blends cultural curiosity, environmental stewardship and mindful wellbeing into a programme that celebrates creativity in all its forms.
Guided by its defining motto, “One Festival, Every Sense,” the Fari Islands Festival unfolds across five interconnected pillars: Culinary Exploration, Creative Artistry, Body, Mind and Soul, Sonic Immersion, and Nature Amplified. Together, these pillars shape a journey that engages guests through taste, sound, movement, conversation and connection to the natural environment.
The 2025 edition established the festival’s scope and ambition, featuring poetry and spoken-word gatherings, live music performances, chef-led dining experiences, wellness rituals and guided encounters with the marine environment. Artists, chefs and collaborators from across disciplines activated spaces throughout the islands, creating a fluid programme that moved seamlessly from day into night.
Building on this foundation, the 2026 festival will continue to favour flow over fixed schedules. Guests can expect a balance of structured moments and open exploration, with experiences revealed progressively across multiple settings and times of day. This approach allows participants to move freely between moments of participation, observation and discovery, fostering a sense of personal connection and shared experience.
One of the highlights of the festival will once again be its concluding celebration at Fari Marina Village, where the closing night brings together flavour, sound and community. The marina will host a curated gathering of culinary expressions from both resorts, alongside local vendors and pop-up concepts, accompanied by live music that carries through the evening as guests move between kitchens, conversations and communal tables.
Reserve a stay at Fari Islands Festival at The Ritz Carlton Maldives or Patina Maldives.
Atmosphere Foundation has launched a new annual scholarship programme that will sponsor 10 Maldivians each year to complete internationally recognised scuba diving training and professional development pathways, supporting youth career growth while strengthening the Maldivian workforce in tourism.
Designed to create clearer entry points into the industry and help Maldivians advance from foundational training to professional roles, the programme will provide sponsored candidates with access to a structured set of certifications that can lead to employment opportunities in resort dive centres, watersports operations, and marine excursions across the country.
The programme will support both beginners and those already working in the sector who want to progress further. By sponsoring these certifications, the initiative aims to help participants develop technical competence, safety capabilities and professional readiness—skills that are essential for career progression in dive and marine-related roles within the tourism industry.
To ensure the programme delivers direct long-term value to the Maldives, successful candidates will be required to work in the Maldives for a specified period after completing their course. This service commitment is intended to strengthen local capacity within the tourism workforce, help resorts access qualified Maldivian professionals, and support career continuity for young people entering the sector.
“Tourism is the Maldives’ greatest economic mainstay, and our future depends on ensuring Maldivians are represented across the industry—not only at entry level, but in specialist and leadership positions as well,” said Abdul Azeez Abdul Hakeem, Vice President of Atmosphere Foundation. “This programme is designed to remove barriers to training, equip young people with globally recognised qualifications, and support them to progress from the beginning of their careers to new heights. The service component also ensures that the skills gained remain in the Maldives and contribute to the development of our tourism workforce.”
Atmosphere Foundation continues to develop and support initiatives that contribute to community wellbeing and opportunity, with a focus on empowering youth, building skills, and creating sustainable pathways for Maldivians. The annual dive training sponsorship programme builds on the Foundation’s broader mission to deliver meaningful, practical support that helps individuals and communities thrive—while contributing to the long-term resilience of the national economy.
Further information on how to apply, programme partners and timelines will be announced soon through Atmosphere Foundation’s official channels.
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