Beneath wide Maldivian skies, Kandolhu marks the festive season with traditions gathered from across the globe, each carried through with island warmth. From tree-lighting evenings and beachside gatherings to quiet spa rituals and a New Year’s Eve dinner beneath the stars, the season unfolds through late December with a shared sense of celebration.
Mornings settle into place – guided paddleboarding and house reef snorkelling, small workshops at Vilu Bar, and afternoons spent decorating the island’s Christmas tree together. Wine tastings, cocktail receptions and saxophone melodies carry into most evenings, each gathering shaped around warmth rather than spectacle.
As December draws on, the evenings turn more festive still. Christmas Eve unfolds as a beachside dinner beneath open sky, and Two-Michelin-starred chef Benjamin Peifer brings his fire-roasted tasting menu to Olive on two dates within the season – each a quiet highlight for guests staying through.
The year closes at Vilu Bar, where a six-course New Year’s Eve dinner carries guests, quite literally, into the year ahead – midnight giving way to music and dancing beneath the moon. The first morning of the new year begins gently, with a leisurely breakfast at The Market.
Date: Wednesday 14 and Monday 19 October 2026
Join Fabrizio Zanetti, Gault-Millau’s Rising Star of the Year 2024, for a highly exclusive series of fine dining events. This is a rare opportunity to taste Chef Zanetti’s celebrated culinary artistry in the serene setting of Kandolhu Maldives. More detail
Date: Saturday 26 and Tuesday 29 December 2026
This spectacular event showcases chef Peifer’s brilliant fusion of Japanese culinary techniques and regional ingredients. With no set menu, the guiding motto is simply: “Trust the Chef”. Surrender to his vision and experience ingredient-led, Michelin-starred dining creations from one of Germany’s most exciting gastronomic talents. More detail 
Address
Kandolhu Maldives
North Ari Atoll
Republic of Maldives
Reservations
