Champagne receptions, wine pairings and gala dining lead RAH GILI MALDIVES festive season
RAH GILI MALDIVES will bring together curated wine and sake pairings, candlelit beach dining, festive gala dinners and Maldivian culinary experiences as part of its first Christmas and New Year programme, running from 21 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.
Presented under the theme “Circle of Light”, the programme draws inspiration from the changing light of the Maldivian day, with gastronomy, culture, wellness and entertainment forming part of six chapters that take guests from Christmas through to the New Year and Orthodox Christmas celebrations.
For chefs and food and beverage professionals, the programme places dining within a wider experiential concept, with meals and beverage experiences designed around different times of day, island settings and cultural traditions.
Throughout the festive period, guests will be able to enjoy culinary experiences inspired by Maldivian culture, alongside wine journeys, curated wine and sake pairings and intimate candlelit dinners by the beach.
The emphasis on pairing-led experiences provides opportunities for collaboration between the resort’s culinary and beverage teams, particularly in developing menus that complement the characteristics of selected wines and sake.
Outdoor dining will also form part of the programme, combining the island’s natural setting with carefully planned food and beverage service.
Christmas and New Year gala dining
The festive calendar will include two principal gala dinners, on 24 and 31 December, both featuring performances by DJ Ravin from Buddha Bar Paris.
The Christmas Gala Dinner on 24 December will bring together dining and entertainment as part of the resort’s Christmas celebrations.
On 31 December, the Grand Circle of Light Gala will mark the culinary highlight of the New Year programme.
The evening will begin with Champagne receptions before moving into gala dining, international performances, dancing and fire entertainment, culminating in a midnight fireworks display.
For the resort’s culinary and F&B teams, these occasions will require coordination between kitchen production, beverage service and entertainment schedules to ensure dining remains integrated with the wider celebrations.
The first morning of 2027 will bring a change of pace, with a recovery brunch following the New Year’s Eve festivities. Dining experiences will continue into January alongside Orthodox Christmas celebrations.
Maldivian culture and culinary experiences
Local culture will also play an important role in the festive programme.
Through the resort’s Rayyithun, or People of the Island, guests will be introduced to Maldivian traditions, craftsmanship, Boduberu performances and culinary experiences.
The inclusion of local food culture alongside international wine and sake experiences reflects the resort’s approach to combining Maldivian heritage with contemporary hospitality.
RAH GILI’s festive concept is built around the SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS philosophy of Live Your Lifestyle, allowing guests to choose experiences according to their interests rather than follow a fixed daily programme.
For the food and beverage operation, this means offering a combination of celebratory dining, intimate meals and more informal experiences throughout the festive season.
“Our festive season is about giving guests the freedom to experience RAH GILI in a way that feels personal to them,” said André Kretschmann, General Manager at RAH GILI MALDIVES.
“One guest may find their favourite moment at sunrise, another around a table with family, and someone else beneath the stars. That is the spirit of Live Your Lifestyle.”
The festive programme will conclude on 7 January following a series of cultural, culinary and wellness experiences, including a farewell beach bonfire and commemorative mango tree planting.
As the inaugural resort within the SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS collection, RAH GILI MALDIVES will use its first festive season to establish a culinary offering that connects dining, beverage experiences and Maldivian culture within its wider island hospitality concept.
