The iconic One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives invites guests to experience a Magical Season of Wonder on the iconic island of Reethi Rah. The resort has prepared a variety of exciting Christmas and New Year’s events, including the arrival of Santa Claus, a lavish Christmas Day Brunch and an exquisite New Year’s gala night to complement family traditions.

The theme of this year’s celebrations honours the beautiful festive illuminations reflected in the calm lagoon waters of the island. For those who want to celebrate the Festive Holidays in a warm location, the tropical haven will gift its guests with treats for all the senses, from glittering gourmet culinary pop-ups and immersive spa rituals to magical sunset performances.

The Festive Season begins on 20 December with a pool-side Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, transforming the resort’s Rah Bar into a magical setting for the season. While the Christmas tree is switched on, guests will ring in the celebrations with delightful cocktails, canapés and traditional carols, looking ahead to a radiant line-up of events until the 14^th of January 2025. On Christmas Eve, guests are treated to a sumptuous and elegant feast at the lavish Gala Buffet Dinner at Reethi Restaurant.

For junior guests and anyone similar, Santa Claus will arrive in a festive surprise to greet families on Christmas Day, followed by a magical meet-and-greet experience on the beach. Leaving his legacy for the Holidays, Santa’s Arts and Crafts Workshop will keep children entertained at the Art Studio on the 26^th of December. For teens, football matches will inspire a healthy dose of competition on the 27^th and 4^th of January.

As 2024 comes to a close, One&Only Reethi Rah invites guests to partake in their iconic incredible New Year’s Eve events. Perched directly on the shores of Sunrise Beach, the evening begins with the New Year’s Cocktail Party as a delightful precursor to the main event, the grand Gala Dinner promising an unforgettable evening of award-winning entertainment from international bands, an abundant epicurean feast paired with the finest Champagnes and world-class wines, and a stunning fireworks display in the sky to ring in the coming of 2024.

For those following the Orthodox calendar, the resort has special celebrations planned with the Orthodox Christmas Eve Cocktail Party and Gala Dinner at Sunrise Beach, followed by a joyous Brunch the next day, and the Orthodox New Year’s Dinner on the 14^th of December to close off the magical season.

The culinary highlight of the season is an array of culinary pop-ups by the Italo-Argentinian Chef Mauro Colagreco, the chef patron of restaurant Mirazur*** in Menton, Côte D’Azur, which is currently rated with three stars by the Michelin Guide. In 2019 the restaurant was named the best restaurant in the world (#1) by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. The island-based events will take place from the 21^st until the 28^th of December. Chef Mauro’s culinary creations will reflect the Festive Celebrations on the island, with ingredients sourced from the tropical gardens of Reethi Rah and dishes crafted according to the phases of the moon, following the ancient practice revived by followers of biodynamic agriculture. This philosophy allows the chef to make the most of his extensive vegetable gardens, as well as his carefully selected supply of fish, shellfish, and meat. Despite the technical finesse of the dishes, they remain approachable, prioritizing flavours that are expertly combined in perfect harmony.

“Promoting meaningful gastronomy in the heart of our land is the challenge we try to take up every day. You will therefore be able to savour the essence of the produce we grow in our two hectares of permaculture vegetable gardens, but also the fruits of wild picking, fishing and local breeding. We also aim for zero waste, which allows us to return to the land what we have borrowed from it.” ­- Mauro Colagreco.