This festive season, Soneva invites guests to celebrate differently across its three Maldivian island resorts, with each offering its own interpretation of Christmas and New Year.
From communal celebrations and remarkable guest residencies to intimate dinners and nights beneath the stars, Festive 2026 at Soneva is shaped around the brand’s philosophy of Just What Matters.
Across Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Secret, the season brings together festive traditions, exceptional dining, family experiences, wellness, sport and encounters with inspiring visiting experts — all leading towards a memorable welcome to 2027.
Soneva Fushi: Where Joy Belongs
At Soneva Fushi, the festive season is centred around togetherness. Children become part of the celebrations by baking bread for the Christmas Eve Gala, growing herbs for the festive table and creating personalised wooden ornaments that can return to the island’s Christmas tree year after year.
Christmas Eve unfolds with golden-hour cocktails on the sandbank followed by a long-table gala beneath the stars, while Christmas Day begins with Santa setting guests off on an island treasure hunt.
On New Year’s Eve, the celebration journeys through eleven culinary venues before one of the season’s most striking rituals: at 23:55, the island falls into darkness for five minutes, allowing the Milky Way to take centre stage. At midnight, Boduberu drums break the silence and welcome 2027.
Soneva Fushi will also welcome a remarkable line-up of visiting experts.
British ESA astronaut Tim Peake will be on the island from 19 to 29 December, with experiences ranging from stargazing and a celestial cinema evening to a Christmas Day talk and Astronaut Academy for younger guests.
Former doubles world No. 1 and nine-time Grand Slam champion Jonas Björkman follows from 28 December to 9 January, hosting tennis and padel sessions for different ages and abilities.
Soneva Jani: Where Wonder Shimmers
Over the lagoon at Soneva Jani, the celebrations take on a playful character. Beginning with the tree lighting at South Beach on 19 December, guests can experience an unexpected Maldivian interpretation of winter as petal “snow” falls in 29°C temperatures each evening until Christmas.
Throughout the season, champagne and caviar breakfasts, sunset dolphin cruises and films beneath the stars at Cinema Paradiso add to the island’s festive rhythm.
Christmas Eve includes floating high tea, festive cocktails and Santa’s arrival by sea, while Christmas Day begins with a leisurely South Beach brunch before sunset paella, dinner and music around the fire.
New Year’s Eve is designed as a seven-stop culinary journey, with seven courses leading towards midnight and a dedicated celebration for younger guests before everyone gathers at South Beach to welcome the new year.
On 1 January, the pace slows again with a long First Brunch overlooking the water.
Soneva Secret: Where Time Is Yours
For travellers looking for an especially private celebration, Soneva Secret offers the most intimate interpretation of the season.
Experiences are highly personal, from handwritten recipes and night fishing beneath the stars to unexpected moments revealed through cards delivered at turndown.
Christmas Eve begins with a wax-sealed invitation before guests gather around the table for an intimate dinner prepared, hosted and shared with the chef.
On Christmas morning, champagne breakfast is served in the villa before families meet by the beach for Santa’s arrival across the water.
For New Year’s Eve, guests receive a hand-drawn linen map at sunset and seal a personal wish that will be posted back to them the following year.
Dinner then travels across the resort before concluding at The 1am Kitchen. The first days of 2027 bring a restorative breakfast, family brunch and the planting of a coral frame in each family’s name.
Extraordinary Festive Encounters at Soneva
The programme extends well beyond Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. Copenhagen seafood restaurant Fiskebar will take up residence at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani from 14 to 26 December, bringing collaborative dinners, seafood lunches and culinary experiences to the islands.
Guests can also join football freestyler Marcel Gurk at Soneva Fushi from 15 to 23 December, while Nathalie Schyllert of Bodyism leads wellbeing experiences at Soneva Jani during the festive period.
In January, artists from Moscow’s Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Theatre will perform at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani on 6 and 7 January, accompanied by children’s ballet and Russian Orthodox Christmas celebrations. Movement and wellbeing expert Richie Norton will then be at Soneva Fushi from 8 to 15 January, bringing together breathwork, movement and stillness for a restorative start to the year.
Plan Your Festive Escape with SEANSES
Contact SEANSES to discover Soneva’s festive stays and begin planning your Christmas and New Year escape in the Maldives.
