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Through Foo’s eyes: Oaga Art Resort’s festive season celebrates soul of Maldives

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This 2025-2026 festive season, Oaga Art Resort invites guests to experience the Maldives through the eyes of Foo, the island’s timeless and playful curator and storyteller. With every performance, every craft, and every meal, Foo brings the spirit of the islands to life, creating a celebration rooted in homegrown creativity, culture, and tradition.

A Celebration of Local Talent

Central to this year’s festivities is a line up of 100% Maldivian artists. From soulful solo performers and dynamic duos to vibrant bands and rhythm driven DJs, the resort’s programme showcases local creativity across multiple genres. This season, Maldivian artistry takes centre stage, allowing guests to connect with the islands’ authentic rhythm and spirit at every turn.

Flavours of the Maldives

Culinary storytelling forms the heart of the festive experience. Guests can savour local flavours and voyage around the Maldives through Mama’s Food Cart, a rotating palm leaf cart based at Kaa Kada, the main restaurant at Oaga Art Resort. Each week, a local woman from a different island shares her signature dish, bringing the unique tastes and traditions of her home to the table and offering a delicious journey across the atolls.

Hands On Cultural Experiences

In collaboration with Kiyavahi, a cultural studio dedicated to authentic Maldivian experiences, guests can engage directly with the living crafts of the islands. Workshops, open air installations, and interactive storytelling spaces bring traditional artistry to life, including kasabu gethun (embroidery), thundu kunaa (mat weaving), roanu veshun (coir rope making), fangi viyun (thatch weaving), and liyelaa jehun (lacquer work).

Beyond craft, the festive season comes alive with the rhythm of traditional Boduberu, presented in collaboration with Kiyavahi, giving guests a taste of Maldivian music and heritage.

Endless Artistry Across the Island

Oaga’s evolving Rahvehi artist team brings creativity to every corner of the resort. From visuals and dance to movement-based performances and more, guests will encounter pop-up shows throughout the festive period, each crafted to surprise, delight, and evoke the vibrant spirit of the Maldives. This multi-talented team ensures that artistry is not confined to a stage but woven into every step of the guest experience.

A Maldivian Story in Every Celebration

This festive season, Oaga Art Resort celebrates tradition and creativity with a Koadi-inspired Christmas Tree, a homage to Maldivian heritage. Koadi, a hand-crafted pole adorned with intricately woven palm leaves and flowers, is traditionally presented as an umbrella-like design during Eid Al -Adha. Alongside this, botanical Christmas trees across the island bring natural beauty and sustainability to the celebrations.

Guests can also look forward to a spectacular New Year’s Eve, with fireworks and a night-long celebration of music, performance, and storytelling. The festivities feature high-impact Boduberu and fire-led performances that feel both ancient and primal, theatrical dining experiences, and island storytelling that captivates and moves audiences. Curated musical nights and art-led shows create a rhythmic celebration where culture, creativity, and energy build continuously over the course of the season.

Step Into the Story

This festive season, Foo invites guests not merely to witness the Maldives, but to live it. Every melody, every handcrafted detail, and every culinary creation becomes part of a larger story, a celebration of individuality, creativity, and the timeless soul of the islands.

Some stories aren’t written. They are discovered, felt, and lived.

For art lovers and creative souls seeking a Maldivian escape, Oaga Art Resort’s Greatest All-Inclusive Plan re-defines the very essence of an all-inclusive holiday. Dive into Free Flow art sessions, find your rhythm with Dance Lab movement and dance experiences, savour Floating Meals through the day, embark on captivating excursions, enjoy thrilling motorised watersports, and so much more.

Nestled in North Malé Atoll, Oaga Art Resort is a 45-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport near Male’. This intimate island features 60 vibrant beach and overwater villas, unique cart-style dining experiences, and a spa deeply inspired by Maldivian traditional healing practices. Oaga Art Resort stands as a true creative hub, offering sensory-rich experiences thoughtfully curated by both local and visiting Maldivian artists and craftspeople.

Discover your next inspiration at www.oagaresorts.com and book your stay; an unforgettable artistic journey awaits!

Fashion

Finolhu Maldives to welcome artist Araceli Adams for ceramics masterclasses

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Finolhu, a Seaside Collection Resort, is set to welcome contemporary artist Araceli Adams for an exclusive festive residency from 20 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Bringing together art, nature and the joy of creative expression, the residency invites guests to discover the world of ceramics through immersive workshops inspired by the extraordinary marine life and natural beauty of the Maldives.

Known for her distinctive artistic interpretations of marine life on ceramics, Adams draws inspiration from the natural world, transforming everyday objects into expressive works of art. Through Araceli Adams, her creative practice celebrates the beauty and diversity of ocean life, making her residency a natural fit for Finolhu’s spectacular setting within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll.

Throughout the festive season, guests will have the opportunity to explore their artistic side under Adams’ guidance, discovering the pleasures of working with ceramics in a relaxed and inspiring island environment. Designed for both beginners and those with a passion for art, the experiences encourage creativity, personal expression and a deeper appreciation of the marine world.

The residency begins with a meet-and-greet at Finolhu’s cocktail party on 21 December, offering guests an opportunity to meet the artist and discover the inspiration behind her work. An introductory pottery experience on 24 December will set the tone for a series of intimate creative sessions, followed by group masterclasses taking place between Christmas Day and 3 January.

Limited to just six participants per session, the masterclasses offer a more personal and engaging opportunity to learn from Adams while creating individual pieces inspired by the colours, textures and marine surroundings of the island. For guests seeking a more tailored experience, private pottery sessions will also be available, providing an intimate setting for individuals, couples and families to explore their creativity together.

The residency forms part of Finolhu’s festive celebrations, Magic by the Sea, bringing an artistic dimension to the resort’s seasonal programme. Beyond the traditional festivities, the collaboration offers guests an opportunity to slow down, discover a new creative pursuit and create meaningful memories through hands-on experiences.

The collaboration with Araceli Adams continues Finolhu’s commitment to bringing international creative talent to the island. Earlier in 2026, the resort welcomed celebrated British designer Matthew Williamson for an exclusive October residency, introducing guests to his distinctive world of colour, pattern and design through creative masterclasses and personalised experiences. In November, contemporary artist and photographer Yakov Khomich brought his artistic perspective to Finolhu’s Art Lab, further enriching the resort’s programme of immersive creative encounters. Together, these residencies reflect Finolhu’s growing reputation as a destination where art, design and island living come together.

Art and creativity have long been part of Finolhu’s distinctive island identity. With its contemporary design, vibrant atmosphere and dedicated Art Lab, the resort embraces creative expression as an integral part of the guest experience. The collaboration with Araceli Adams further reflects this philosophy, connecting guests with the island’s remarkable natural surroundings through art.

Set against the backdrop of Finolhu’s turquoise lagoon, pristine beaches and iconic two-kilometre sandbank, the residency offers a refreshing way to experience the festive season. Whether discovering ceramics for the first time or simply enjoying a shared creative moment with loved ones, guests are invited to embrace the freedom of artistic expression in one of the world’s most beautiful island settings.

Araceli Adams’ residency at Finolhu will take place from 20 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, with group masterclasses scheduled between 25 December and 3 January and private pottery sessions available from 24 December to 2 January. Advance reservations are recommended due to limited availability.

For further information and reservations, visit www.finolhu.com or contact stay@finolhu.com.

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Entertainment

QUEENZ OF PIANO to perform at Reethi Faru Resort this festive season

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Reethi Faru Resort has announced that internationally recognised piano duo QUEENZ OF PIANO will perform at the resort as part of its Christmas and New Year celebrations for the 2026/27 festive season.

The duo will present three live performances on 29 December 2026, 31 December 2026 (New Year’s Eve) and 2 January 2027, offering guests a series of musical experiences during the holiday period.

QUEENZ OF PIANO are known for combining classical music with contemporary pop, performing arrangements that bring together compositions from different musical periods and genres.

Their performances reinterpret well-known classical pieces and modern hits, incorporating elements of both musical styles to appeal to audiences of different ages and musical preferences.

The duo’s approach focuses on showcasing the versatility of the piano through arrangements that blend traditional classical techniques with contemporary musical influences.

The performances will form part of Reethi Faru Resort’s festive entertainment programme, providing live musical experiences for guests celebrating Christmas and New Year in the Maldives.

The three scheduled performances will take place during the resort’s year-end celebrations, including a special appearance on New Year’s Eve.

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Entertainment

Hard Rock Hotel Maldives welcomes British duo The Whiskey Brothers for live performances

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Hard Rock Hotel Maldives is turning up the volume this October as The Whiskey Brothers bring their signature live performances to CROSSROADS Maldives for two evenings of music, energy and island entertainment.

Known for their engaging performances and distinctive musical style, The Whiskey Brothers will bring their sound to two of the destination’s vibrant venues, creating memorable evenings against the stunning backdrop of the Maldives.

The duo will kick off their performances at Hard Rock Cafe Maldives on 27 October 2026. Open to the public, including local residents, expats, and visitors, the evening invites music lovers to come together and experience the electrifying atmosphere of Hard Rock Cafe, where great music, dining and entertainment take centre stage.

On 28 October 2026, The Whiskey Brothers will continue their island performance at The Elephant & The Butterfly, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives’ signature beachfront restaurant. This exclusive performance is reserved for resort guests, offering an intimate evening of live music in a relaxed tropical setting.

The performances reflect Hard Rock Hotel Maldives’ commitment to bringing its iconic music-inspired DNA to life through dynamic entertainment, engaging experiences and vibrant island programming.

Located within CROSSROADS Maldives, just 15 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives continues to celebrate the spirit of music, entertainment and island living.

Event Details:

  • 27 October 2026 | 9:00 PM – 9:45 PM Venue: Hard Rock Cafe Maldives; open to the public, including locals, expats and visitors
  • 28 October 2026 | 7:30 PM – 8:15 PM Venue: The Elephant & The Butterfly, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives; exclusive to resort guests
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