Maldivian cooking, Japanese cuisine and beachfront galas lead Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru festive season
Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru will bring together Japanese gastronomy, Thai cuisine, Maldivian culinary traditions and beachfront gala dining as part of its festive programme, running from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.
Presented under the theme “The Secret Underwater Garden”, the celebrations will draw inspiration from the marine environment surrounding the island, with food and beverage experiences forming part of a wider programme of cultural activities, ocean conservation and wellbeing.
For chefs and food and beverage professionals, the culinary programme will span several dining formats, from Japanese and Thai restaurant experiences to Maldivian cooking classes, festive mixology and Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Japanese, Thai and Maldivian flavours
The resort’s award-winning Madi Hiyaa will bring Japanese gastronomy into the festive programme, while Saffron will showcase signature Thai flavours.
The two restaurants provide distinct culinary approaches, allowing guests to explore different Asian cuisines throughout the holiday period.
Maldivian cuisine will also feature through dedicated cooking classes and cultural dining experiences, offering guests an opportunity to learn more about local ingredients, preparation methods and culinary traditions.
For the resort’s culinary team, these interactive sessions provide a platform to introduce the flavours and techniques associated with Maldivian cooking, while allowing guests to engage directly with chefs.
The programme will also include traditional sandbank shore fishing, connecting visitors with the fishing practices that have shaped Maldivian food culture for generations.
On 1 January, Festive Maldivian Night will combine traditional island flavours with Boduberu performances, bringing together gastronomy and local heritage as guests welcome the New Year.
Festive mixology and gala dining
Beverage experiences will form another part of the celebrations, with festive mixology sessions giving guests an opportunity to explore cocktail preparation and flavour combinations.
For bartenders, such activities provide a guest-facing platform to demonstrate techniques while explaining the ingredients and balance behind different drinks.
Christmas Eve will feature a celebratory dinner, while the New Year Gala Dinner on Naiboli Beach will mark one of the season’s principal culinary occasions.
The beachfront setting will bring together dining and entertainment ahead of the countdown to 2027.
For the resort’s chefs and F&B teams, these events will require coordination between kitchen production, beverage service and front-of-house operations, particularly when delivering festive menus in an outdoor setting.
Culinary traditions alongside marine conservation
The festive programme will also highlight Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru’s marine conservation initiatives through activities led by the resort’s Marine Lab, established in 2004.
On Christmas Day, guests will be invited to participate in Christmas Tree Coral Planting, while other experiences will include coral micro-fragmentation, Citizen Science snorkelling and marine education sessions.
The conservation activities will complement the resort’s Maldivian cultural programme, reflecting the relationship between island communities and the surrounding marine environment.
Festive activities will begin on 22 December with a Christmas tree decoration workshop and lighting ceremony. The programme will conclude on 7 January with an Orthodox Christmas Party.
Across The Secret Underwater Garden, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru will use food and beverage as one of the principal ways to connect guests with the destination.
From Japanese dining at Madi Hiyaa and Thai cuisine at Saffron to Maldivian cooking classes, festive cocktails and beachfront gala dinners, the programme will offer the resort’s chefs, bartenders and culinary teams opportunities to showcase different cuisines, techniques and dining experiences throughout the festive season.
