The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, an architectural masterpiece hovering above the crystal waters of one of the world’s most enticing oceans, announces its festive programming for the season ahead. The theme of this year’s celebrations, ‘Eau’, will honour the resort’s oceanic home and the elemental power and magic of water. Connecting and awakening guests to the beauty of the ocean, and interpretations of water in all its forms, artfully curated moments will gift the senses with gourmet trails, once in a lifetime undersea adventure, transformative spa journeys and magical performances with aquatic twists.

The festivities begin on the 22nd of December with a sparkling evening reimagining the resort’s EAU Bar and iconic spherical pool into a crystalline stage of liquid theatre for the season. While the Christmas tree is switched on, guests will ring in the celebrations with signature Sangu cocktails in hand, looking ahead to a breath-taking line-up running until the 9th of January 2025.

Each night guests will step into awe-inspiring scenography, with sunset shows of music, dance and theatre inspired by interpretations of water, reflection, renewal and transformation. Ethereal dream-scapes will host candlelit concertos in the moonlight, and the resort’s New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner will cast a liquid glow in a spectacular culmination of culinary excellence and entertainment.

A journey of gourmet treats will provide unrivalled mastery across the destination’s dining venues curated by the resort’s stable of exceptional chefs. On the 23rd of December, omakase venue IWAU presents an exclusive wagyu and sake feast, introducing the resort’s renowned Asian flavours to the festivities. The celebratory gastronomy continues to mark holiday days with the Christmas Eve cocktail reception at sundown, a prelude to a night of epicurean splendour at EAU Bar. Christmas Day is marked by the coveted Indian Ocean outpost of Singapore’s highly acclaimed venue Summer Pavilion serving up its Cantonese wok lunch, while Beach Shack hosts its signature New Year’s Day barbecue prepared on an open grill beachside.

Throughout the holidays, a decadent series of dining experiences will span exclusive Veuve Clicquot and Taittinger dinners, izakaya menus with sake pairings, oriental tea ceremonies and Champagne raw bars. Bringing the festive frosting, this year’s exclusive masterclasses will invite guests to make, bake and decorate their very own traditional gingerbread house.

For those looking to learn, move and explore, festive programming will ensure a breadth of activities. With Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program, the resort’s marine naturalists will be on hand to guide exploration into the big blue, including the Cities under the Sea and turtle snorkelling experiences. Above sea-level guests can board a luxury sunset cruise to explore sun-dappled waters at golden hour, or at dawn a more traditional pastime of fishing by Maldivian Dhoni boat. On land, a sunset painting and champagne soiree will ensure memories captured for a life-time, with water-side acro-yoga, and sunrise cardio tennis sessions on the resort’s high spec tennis court to keep festive fitness in check.

Harnessing the restorative power of water, and blue mind theory, the halo-shaped spa, perched serenely over its sparkling lagoon will provide unadulterated wellness with Bamford. In addition to its menu of holistic treatments, spa-seekers will enjoy workshops to learn the art of gua sha self-massage, sound healing and tapping therapy. To close 2024 and welcome in the new year, intention-setting practices and floating meditation will guide resolutions, while in the Mystique Garden, sunrise yoga can be practised at the foot of the resort’s 98-foot-tall banyan tree.

For junior guests, Santa Claus will arrive in a festive surprise to greet families on Christmas Day leaving his merry legacy for the holidays. Keeping children aged four to twelve entertained, Ritz Kids programming is overflowing with water-inspired activities from bubble parties to over-water piñata fun. Little ones won’t want to leave Ritz Kids’ futuristic indoor-outdoor space including playgrounds, napping pods, an area for video games and movies, and a pool with jets and slides. Daily festive workshops will include gingerbread house decorating, Christmas wreath making, and Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program’s fascinating learning for junior guests, where joining marine scientists they will explore the micro world of organisms living in the ocean. A fashion show for kids will invite mini fashionistas to take to the catwalk, and for teens, beach paddle ball, tennis tournaments and kayak racing will inspire a healthy dose of competition, with surf clinics riding the waves into 2025.

A 15 minute boat ride to Fari Marina Village, The Fari Marina Night Market on the 4th of January will bring together the very best of the unique Fari Islands’ destination. Illuminated by artist James Turrell’s Amarta installation, the evening presents gourmet delicacies from both The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands and neighbouring Patina resort and an array of local crafts.

Guests can expect the festivities at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands to continue until the 9th of January, before welcoming in the lunar new year.