From Santa by Sea to Starlit Dinners: How the Maldives Reimagines Festive Travel

This year Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas has decided to shape its festive season around the four elements of nature: earth, water, fire and air. The celebrations begin with the lighting of the Christmas tree and Santa’s arrival by boat, while families can take part in activities such as gingerbread decorating, a pirate cruise for children and outdoor challenges. Each event has been designed to reflect a different element of the natural world.

The end of December will feature an open-air New Year’s Eve gala with international cuisine, live cooking stations and music, ending with a countdown under the tropical sky. Orthodox Christmas on January 7 will take a calmer approach with oceanfront dining and live performances connected to the element of water. Guests will also find additional options such as wine tastings on isolated sandbanks, underwater dining experiences and wellness rituals.

This program shows how resorts are starting to rethink the way holidays are celebrated. Instead of offering the same type of parties seen in many destinations, the focus is on experiences that carry a symbolic meaning and connect more closely to the setting. This could appeal to those who want more than simple entertainment during the busiest travel period of the year.

The choice to link celebrations with nature also reflects a wider shift in tourism. More and more luxury resorts are weaving cultural traditions and local character into their event planning, aiming to offer guests an authentic sense of place rather than a typical luxury package. This means that the decision of where to spend the holidays increasingly depends on the promise of authenticity and connection.

Looking at these changes, it becomes clear that festive travel is no longer just about leisure but about creating experiences with lasting value. Travelers are showing interest in holidays that combine celebration with reflection and that highlight the uniqueness of a destination. The program at Kihavah is one example of this trend, suggesting that future holiday travel will continue to evolve toward deeper cultural and environmental engagement.