Indian Ocean feasts, underwater dining and gala dinners lead COLOURS OF OBLU festive season
COLOURS OF OBLU will bring together Indian Ocean-inspired cuisine, Maldivian culinary traditions, underwater dining and festive gala experiences across its four Maldives resorts during the 2026–2027 Christmas and New Year season.
OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO, OBLU SELECT Sangeli, OBLU SELECT Lobigili and OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi will each present a distinct festive programme, with food and beverage experiences reflecting the character and setting of each property.
The festive programmes at OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi and OBLU SELECT Lobigili will run from 22 December 2026 to 9 January 2027, while OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO and OBLU SELECT Sangeli will celebrate from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.
Ocean-inspired dining at OBLU NATURE Helengeli
At OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO, the festive programme, titled Reef of Wonder, draws inspiration from the island’s marine environment.
The culinary highlight will be an Indian Ocean-inspired Christmas dinner, bringing regional influences into the resort’s festive dining experience.
The programme will also include a New Year’s Eve celebration, alongside activities highlighting the island’s house reef and surrounding marine environment.
For the resort’s culinary team, the ocean-inspired theme provides a connection between the island’s natural setting and its festive food and beverage offering.
Maldivian fishing heritage at OBLU SELECT Sangeli
OBLU SELECT Sangeli will celebrate under the theme A Fisherman’s Tale, drawing on the Maldives’ fishing heritage and traditions of community and shared meals.
Christmas celebrations will feature an Indian Ocean-themed feast, accompanied by carol singing and island entertainment.
The focus on fishing heritage places Maldivian food culture within the festive programme, reflecting the relationship between the country’s culinary traditions and the surrounding ocean.
New Year’s Eve will feature a themed dinner, beachfront celebrations and fireworks to welcome 2027.
Private and underwater dining at OBLU SELECT Lobigili
At adults-only OBLU SELECT Lobigili, the programme, A Festive Season, Made for Two, will focus on dining experiences designed for couples.
Guests will be able to enjoy private beach dinners and underwater dining during their stay, bringing different settings into the resort’s culinary offering.
The programme will also include Christmas Eve celebrations, while New Year’s Eve will take inspiration from the Great Gatsby era, featuring live entertainment and a celebratory countdown.
For the resort’s food and beverage team, private beach dining and underwater restaurant service offer opportunities to deliver more personalised experiences, with the setting forming an important part of the meal.
Christmas lunch and New Year gala at OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi
OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi will present A Golden Festive Season, combining family celebrations with festive dining and entertainment.
The programme will begin with Santa’s arrival at Sunset Beach and a special Christmas lunch, bringing families together for one of the season’s principal dining occasions.
New Year’s Eve will feature a cocktail gathering followed by a gala dinner, live performances and a fire show, with fireworks marking the arrival of 2027.
For the resort’s culinary and beverage teams, the evening will involve coordination between cocktail service, gala dining and entertainment as guests move through the celebrations.
Four approaches to festive gastronomy
Across the four properties, COLOURS OF OBLU will use food and beverage to create different interpretations of the festive season.
OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO will draw on the Indian Ocean and marine environment, while OBLU SELECT Sangeli will highlight Maldivian fishing heritage and communal dining traditions.
OBLU SELECT Lobigili will focus on private and underwater dining for couples, while OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi will bring families together through Christmas lunch and New Year’s Eve gala celebrations.
For chefs and food and beverage professionals, the programmes demonstrate how festive dining can be adapted to different resort concepts, from heritage-inspired feasts and intimate destination dining to family meals and large-scale celebrations.
Throughout Christmas and New Year, culinary teams across COLOURS OF OBLU will play a central role in connecting the festive programmes with the flavours, traditions and dining experiences of the Maldives.
Atmosphere Atmosphere Core COLOURS OF OBLU Festive OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO OBLU SELECT Lobigili OBLU SELECT Sangeli OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi
