SO/ Maldives unveils festive culinary programme with seafood feasts, beach BBQs and wine dinners
SO/ Maldives will bring together seafood-led dining, beachfront barbecues, wine experiences, Maldivian cuisine and guest-chef collaborations as part of its festive programme, running from 20 December 2026 to 8 January 2027.
Presented under the theme “Lost in Waterworld – An Underwater Gala of Glamour”, the celebrations will feature a series of culinary experiences across the resort’s restaurants and beach venues, combining ocean-inspired menus with Christmas and New Year dining traditions.
The culinary programme begins on 20 December with Waves of Flavour, a seafood-themed dinner buffet at The Citronelle Club. At Hadaba, Seafarer’s Sharing Feast will offer a more intimate dining experience, accompanied by wine and live saxophone music.
Throughout the festive period, guests can also enjoy Sun, Sea & Sizzle poolside lunches, Ocean Infusions, wine experiences and themed dining events drawing on Mediterranean, Thai and other international cuisines.
Christmas dining and beachfront barbecues
Christmas Eve will feature Pearls & Palms Christmas Eve, a beachfront barbecue accompanied by live music and entertainment.
The evening will begin with Sparkling Shores Christmas at Lazuli Beach Club, where guests can enjoy sunset drinks before moving to the main dining celebration.
For the resort’s culinary teams, the beachfront barbecue will bring live cooking and outdoor service into focus, with preparation, temperature control and coordination between kitchen and service teams playing important roles.
Christmas Day will begin with a festive breakfast, followed by Sail & Savor Brunch, accompanied by live violin music.
The beverage programme will continue with The Gin Voyage at Sky Dining, while The Citronelle Club will host Christmas Waves & Wonders, a festive dinner buffet.
The celebrations will also include gingerbread-making activities, giving pastry teams an opportunity to engage directly with younger guests.
Maldivian flavours and international cuisine
Local cuisine will form another important part of the festive calendar through Flames of the Atoll, an experience highlighting Maldivian food alongside traditional Boduberu performances and live violin music.
The resort will also host Maldivian Day – Maldivian Soul, featuring an island market experience celebrating local culture.
For chefs, these events provide opportunities to introduce guests to Maldivian culinary traditions while incorporating local ingredients and flavours into the wider festive programme.
Beyond Maldivian cuisine, the resort’s culinary calendar will feature wine dinners, ocean-inspired brunches and dining experiences influenced by Mediterranean and Thai cooking.
The inclusion of different cuisines and service formats will give SO/ Maldives’ culinary and beverage teams opportunities to showcase their skills across buffet dining, live cooking, food and wine pairing, and themed restaurant experiences.
New Year’s Eve gala and culinary showcases
The festive programme will reach its main celebration on 31 December with The Grand Oceanic Gala.
The evening will begin with Sea Breeze Soirée, a sunset cocktail reception at The Citronelle Club Beach, followed by a beachfront gala dinner at Lazuli Beach Club.
Live entertainment, music and performances will accompany the dining experience before a midnight countdown and fireworks display.
The celebration will continue with an after-party and late-night snack station, extending food and beverage service beyond midnight.
On New Year’s Day, The First Feast will welcome 2027 with a celebratory brunch accompanied by live saxophone and violin performances.
The culinary programme will continue into January with Orthodox Christmas celebrations, guest-chef experiences and culinary showcases.
Younger guests will also be able to participate in pizza-making activities at The Nest, adding another interactive culinary element to the festive calendar.
“Lost in Waterworld is our invitation to experience the festive season differently with more imagination, more rhythm and a little more attitude,” said Alexander Traeger, General Manager of SO/ Maldives.
“At SO/ Maldives, the ocean is not simply our backdrop; it is the inspiration behind the way we celebrate.”
Across the festive programme, food and beverage will play a central role in translating the ocean-inspired theme into guest experiences.
From seafood buffets and Maldivian dining to Christmas barbecues, wine experiences and New Year gala celebrations, SO/ Maldives will bring together multiple culinary disciplines and dining formats throughout the festive season.
