Kandolhu Maldives Unveils Festive Season Programme of Celebration and Renewal

Kandolhu Maldives has announced its festive season programme, inviting guests to celebrate the holidays through a series of culinary experiences, island traditions, wellness rituals and intimate gatherings from late December through the New Year.

Set against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean, the programme brings together festive dining, cultural experiences and opportunities to unwind, with each celebration designed to reflect the character of the island. From Christmas traditions and seasonal gatherings to New Year celebrations and ocean-based activities, guests can experience the festive period at a relaxed island pace.

Christmas Celebrations

The programme begins on 20 December with a festive workshop where guests can create ornaments from palm leaves, followed by the annual tree lighting ceremony and Christmas cocktail reception featuring handcrafted cocktails and canapés.

Christmas Eve continues with artisanal cocktails at Vilu Bar before a gala dinner served on the beach beneath the stars. On Christmas Day, guests can enjoy a festive beachside buffet featuring seasonal favourites and island-inspired dishes.

Festive Culinary Experiences

The festive calendar also brings a series of culinary events centred on international flavours and local traditions. Two special evenings will feature two-Michelin-starred Chef Benjamin Peifer at Olive restaurant, with each experience limited to 22 guests.

On 28 December, guests can enjoy a four-course dinner showcasing Peifer’s Palatinate and Japanese culinary influences, followed by a five-course Wine & Dine experience on 30 December, paired with wines selected by Sommelier Jan Spener and featuring fire-roasted izakaya-style flavours.

Further culinary highlights include a Taste of Asia evening, a Maldivian-inspired gathering accompanied by boduberu performances, cocktails and local bites, and a traditional Frühschoppen at Vilu Bar featuring freshly baked pretzels and wheat beer. Guests can also take part in beachside tastings featuring selected Champagnes, sparkling wines and canapés, with wines curated by Sommelier Jan Spener.

New Year Celebrations

New Year’s Eve brings together music, dining and celebrations by the water. Guests will gather for seasonal cocktails and canapés before a six-course dinner served beneath the stars. As midnight approaches, the evening continues with music and dancing.

New Year’s Day begins with a festive breakfast, followed by a four-course dinner at Sea Grill paired with sparkling wine.

Wellness And Island Experiences

Alongside the festive programme, Varu Spa provides a range of treatments and wellness experiences designed to complement the slower pace of island life. Treatments include deep tissue massage with warming oils, hot stone therapy, Thai-inspired Stretch Therapy, a Rose Indulgent Scrub and tailored facials. The Varu Haven couples’ treatment combines a sea salt soak with a shared wellness experience.

Guests can also explore Kandolhu’s surrounding marine environment through guided excursions, snorkelling and swims alongside manta rays and whale sharks. Additional activities include stand-up paddleboarding, champagne sunset cruises and beach volleyball, offering a range of ways to experience the island throughout the festive season.

The Kandolhu festive programme brings together food, island traditions, wellness and ocean experiences for a season centred on celebration and renewal. For reservations and more information, visit www.kandolhu.com or contact the reservations team at +960 668 0790 or info@kandolhu.com.