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Alila Kothaifaru Maldives Unveils Three-Week Tides of Wonder Festive Programme Across Christmas and New Year

From December 21 to January 7, the Raa Atoll resort will combine marine discovery, chef-led dining, beach celebrations and incentives for longer stays.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Alila Kothaifaru Maldives will run its Tides of Wonder festive programme from December 21 2026 to January 7 2027.
  • The calendar includes marine discovery activities, Maldivian traditions, Christmas dining and a New Year’s Eve gala.
  • Christmas Day features a four-hands dinner by Frank Wackerhagen and Chef Mumu at Pibati Sul Mare.
  • A seven-night stay offer provides selected benefits, while stays of at least 14 consecutive nights include return seaplane transfers for two adults.

A holiday programme stretching from the week before Christmas to Orthodox Christmas in January will give guests at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives more than a single New Year’s Eve celebration to plan around. The Raa Atoll resort’s Tides of Wonder calendar runs from December 21, 2026, to January 7, 2027, combining marine activities, themed dining, Maldivian traditions and wellness experiences.

The longer festive schedule is intended to make extended island stays more appealing, with activities spread across the property rather than concentrated around Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. The opening event is a Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Mirus Beach on December 21, followed by a succession of activities for couples, families and guests interested in the surrounding marine environment.

Marine encounters and family activities form part of the holiday programme

Ocean-focused activities include dolphin cruises and reef encounters, alongside two Marine Discovery Quiz Nights led by the resort’s resident marine biologist at Mirus Bar. The quiz programme combines information about the local marine environment with a guest competition; one grand-prize winner is due to receive a Marina Raphael Swarovski bag.

Other elements of the calendar include island-based wellness sessions, Maldivian games and experiences designed for families. Thomas Weber, the resort’s general manager, says the longer programme allows visitors to participate in celebrations while leaving time for unplanned experiences during their stay.

Christmas dining leads into New Year’s Eve celebrations

At the resort’s restaurants, Christmas Eve on December 24 features dinner and entertainment at Seasalt. On December 25, executive chef Frank Wackerhagen teams up with Chef Mumu for a four-hands dinner at Pibati Sul Mare. Further dining events include Ten Tides Omakase at Umami on December 28, Maldivian dishes at Alila Spice Garden and Yakitori BBQ Night 3.0 on December 30.

The resort’s New Year’s Eve Gala on December 31 is scheduled to begin with beachside cocktails and continue with a gala dinner, live performances, an appearance by a mentalist and music from DJ Ossanna. The programme then shifts towards a quieter opening to 2027, including the New Year Flair Sundowner at The Shack on January 1, alongside further ocean and wellness activities.

Celebrations extend beyond the Western New Year period, concluding on January 7 with Orthodox Christmas dining and a White Beach Party at Mirus Beach. The extended calendar gives travellers considering a Christmas-to-January holiday the option of participating in multiple events within the same resort stay.

Longer-stay package offers added benefits

Alongside the festive calendar, the property is promoting its Stay Longer, Save More offer for stays of at least seven nights. According to the resort, the package includes daily breakfast and dinner, dining and spa privileges, laundry savings and benefits associated with seaplane transfers. Guests booking 14 consecutive nights or more are offered complimentary round-trip transfers for two adults, subject to the resort’s applicable booking terms.

Travellers can review scheduled events and enquire about arrangements on Alila Kothaifaru Maldives’ official festive-season page. The property is situated on Kothaifaru island in Raa Atoll; general information about visiting the country is available through Visit Maldives.

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