Chinese New Year at Niyama Private Islands Maldives is anything but ordinary. Set against twin islands wrapped in jungle and surrounded by endless shades of blue, Niyama Private Islands Maldives welcomes Lunar New Year 2026 with a week-long celebration inspired by renewal, wellbeing, and the spirited energy of the Year of the Horse.
Running from 16 to 22 February 2026, the programme blends festive dining, immersive wellness, creative workshops, and family-friendly moments, designed to feel celebratory without losing Niyama’s signature laid-back rhythm.
Food takes centre stage throughout the celebrations. Guests can indulge in a Prosperity Feast Gala Dinner on the beach, where traditional Chinese favourites such as dumplings, Peking duck, and longevity noodles are paired with a vibrant seaside atmosphere and a lively lion dance performance.
For those seeking something more intimate, highlights include a Chinese Communal Hot Pot Dinner on the beach, candlelit and communal, and a hands-on Dim Sum Cooking Class where guests master classic techniques before enjoying their creations.
Daytime indulgence comes in equally memorable forms from Golden Fortune Afternoon Tea featuring mooncakes and gold-themed treats, to a playful Floating Breakfast infused with Chinese flavours, fortune cookies, dumplings, and traditional tea, served in the privacy of the villa pool.
In tune with the New Year’s symbolism of fresh beginnings, Niyama’s programme places strong emphasis on wellness. Guests are invited to start the day with Yoga Flow – Chinese New Year Edition, designed to release stagnant energy and prepare body and mind for the year ahead. Evenings bring a more reflective pace with Guided Yoga, Pranayama, and Sound Bath, aligned with the New Moon and focused on intention-setting and inner balance.
At Drift Spa, a dedicated Chinese New Year Renewal Retreat combines steam or sauna, a deep tissue massage infused with mandarin and lavender oils, and a choice of mini facial or foot acupressure—finished with a take-home aromatherapy oil to extend the experience beyond the island.
Families are well catered for, with a thoughtfully curated line-up at the Explorers Kids Club. Activities range from Lucky Hooves and Swirls art sessions inspired by the zodiac horse, to lantern painting, scavenger hunts, chopstick challenges, and the lively Great Zodiac Race. Each experience blends creativity with cultural storytelling in a way that feels fun, accessible, and memorable.
Beyond the kids’ programme, guests of all ages can contribute to the resort’s sustainability efforts through a Coral Planting Experience, where coral fragments are planted onto a specially designed horse shaped coral frame symbolising strength, vitality, and positive momentum for the year ahead.
What sets Lunar New Year at Niyama apart is its balance. The celebrations honour tradition through food, ritual, and symbolism, while remaining unmistakably modern, playful, and rooted in nature. From wall-of-wishes installations and energising fitness sessions to moonlit meditation and beachside feasts, every moment is designed to let guests celebrate in their own way at their own pace.
For travellers seeking a Chinese New Year escape that goes beyond red lanterns and banquet halls, Niyama Private Islands Maldives offers a vibrant, soulful alternative where new beginnings unfold between jungle, ocean, and sky.
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Niyama Private Islands Maldives welcomes Chinese New Year 2026 with lunar rituals, cultural celebrations, and island-wide festive experiences.
