Bandos Maldives celebrates Christmas with street food market, wine pairings and beach BBQs
Bandos Maldives has unveiled its Christmas and New Year culinary programme, featuring festive cake mixing, Maldivian cooking experiences, Japanese-inspired dinners, wine pairings, beachfront barbecues and interactive pastry activities.
Running from 20 December 2026 to 7 January 2027 under the theme “Candy Land”, the programme will bring together themed dining experiences, culinary demonstrations and festive celebrations across the resort’s restaurants and beachfront venues.
For chefs, pastry professionals, bartenders and food and beverage teams, the festive calendar will offer opportunities to showcase different cooking traditions, food preparation techniques and interactive dining experiences.
Cake mixing, Maldivian cuisine and street food
The culinary programme will begin on 20 December with a Christmas cake-mixing ceremony, marking the start of the resort’s festive baking activities.
The ceremony will be accompanied by a Maldivian cooking experience, introducing guests to local culinary traditions and preparations.
Later that day, Sea Breeze will host the Candy Land Street Food Market, bringing together a street food-inspired dining experience as part of the opening celebrations.
The festivities will also include the lighting of the Christmas tree at Huvan Deck, accompanied by Christmas carols and entertainment.
Japanese cuisine and wine pairings
On 21 December, Umi Yaki will host Tokyo in Maldives, a Japanese-inspired dinner incorporating seasonal elements.
The event will provide an opportunity for the resort’s culinary team to showcase Japanese cuisine within the festive programme.
On 23 December, Grill Bar will host a festive food and wine pairing experience, bringing together selected dishes and wines.
The programme will offer guests an opportunity to explore how different wines complement food, with flavour, texture and preparation methods forming part of the pairing experience.
Japanese cuisine will return to the festive calendar on 2 January with Sakura Evening at Umi Yaki, extending the resort’s themed dining programme into the New Year.
Christmas gala dining and beachfront barbecue
On 24 December, Gallery Restaurant will host a Christmas Eve Gala Dinner from 7 pm to 10 pm, featuring seasonal dishes and festive decorations.
The evening will be accompanied by live entertainment, including Christmas carols and musical performances.
Christmas Day will begin with a festive breakfast at Gallery, followed by family activities and entertainment across the island.
On 26 December, Huvan Beach will host the Candy Land Beach BBQ, featuring grilled specialities served in a beachfront setting.
For the culinary and food and beverage teams, the programme will bring together different service formats, from gala dining and themed restaurant experiences to outdoor barbecue preparation.
Pastry making, vegetable carving and mixology
Interactive culinary activities will also form part of the celebrations, allowing guests to engage with the resort’s kitchen and beverage teams.
The programme will include pastry-making sessions, vegetable carving demonstrations and mixology experiences.
These activities will introduce guests to different elements of food preparation, decorative presentation and beverage making.
The resort’s Kokko Club will also organise gingerbread house decorating and children’s cooking sessions, bringing festive baking and culinary activities into its family programme.
For pastry professionals, the gingerbread and cake-related activities will provide opportunities to showcase the creative aspects of festive baking and decoration.
New Year’s Eve and Orthodox Christmas dining
On 31 December, Bandos Maldives will host a New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner at Gallery Restaurant from 7 pm to 9.30 pm.
The celebrations will continue at Sand Bar with live music, DJ entertainment, a midnight countdown and fireworks to welcome 2027.
The culinary programme will extend into January, with an Orthodox Christmas dinner scheduled for 6 January at Huvan Beach.
The beachfront barbecue will be accompanied by live music from Beatus Duo.
The festive celebrations will conclude on 7 January with a Candy Land Party Night at Sand Bar.
Culinary traditions at one of the Maldives’ oldest resorts
Opened on 10 December 1972, Bandos Maldives was the second tourist resort in the country and remains one of its longest-established hospitality properties.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 15 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the resort features 220 rooms and villas, alongside restaurants, bars and recreational facilities.
Its festive programme will combine traditional celebrations with culinary experiences that reflect both Maldivian and international cuisine.
From cake mixing and Maldivian cooking to Japanese dining, wine pairings, pastry workshops and beach barbecues, Candy Land will place food and beverage experiences among the principal highlights of Bandos Maldives’ Christmas and New Year celebrations.
