Maldives
Christmas and New Year in the Maldives
Christmas Eve with sand between your toes, and fireworks over the lagoon at midnight on the 31st. How the resorts celebrate, what the festive season adds to the bill, and where we would spend it.
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On Christmas morning at several Maldivian resorts, Father Christmas arrives on the island with presents for the children. The tree on the beach was lit a few days before, and nobody is wearing a jumper. At midnight on New Year’s Eve the fireworks go up over the water, while back in London it is still only seven in the evening.
The Maldives is a Muslim country, and Christmas is not a public holiday. The celebrations happen on the resort islands, which run their own festive programmes from around 20 December into early January. Unlike at home, the big gala dinner usually falls on Christmas Eve, so the 25th is left for the beach.
In short: Christmas in the Maldives
Christmas and New Year are peak season in the Maldives, with drier weather and the highest prices of the year. Resorts hold gala dinners on 24 and 31 December, and these are usually compulsory. For the 2026 season, the supplements we have seen range from US$340 to US$750 per adult. Book as early as you can.
Our first choice for Christmas: Check availability and prices at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Trees, galas and a midnight countdown
The programmes share a shape but differ in mood. Most resorts start with a tree-lighting a few days before Christmas. On Christmas Eve there is a gala dinner with live music, often set up on the beach. New Year’s Eve ends with a countdown and fireworks over the lagoon.
Some resorts turn the season into one long party, with shows and DJs until late. Others keep it low-key, with dinner on the sand and champagne back at the villa. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island also marks Orthodox Christmas on 7 January with its own gala. Programmes change every year, so check the current one on the resort’s website before you book.
What the festive season adds to the bill
The villa rate is only part of what you pay over Christmas. Read the terms carefully before confirming.
Compulsory gala dinners: Most resorts add a fixed charge for dinner on 24 and 31 December, and children above a certain age pay too. The lowest 2026 figure we found was US$340 per adult for Christmas Eve at The Residence. The highest was US$750 for New Year’s Eve at Radisson Blu.
Minimum stays: Many resorts require at least four nights over the festive period, and some ask for more. Short stays around New Year are hard to find.
Stricter cancellation: Some resorts charge the full amount if you cancel within 60 days of arrival. Check before paying, and make sure your travel insurance covers cancellation.
Green tax: The Maldives charges US$12 per person per night as an environmental levy. It is not always included in the prices you see when comparing.
All inclusive with galas: Some packages include the gala dinners, which makes the sums easier and the bill at checkout shorter.
South Ari in December
December brings the start of the dry season and clear views over the South Ari lagoons.
Weather in December and January
December is generally the start of the dry season in the Maldives. Showers are still possible, especially early in the month, but days are mostly sunny and the sea calmer than in summer. January tends to be more settled still. For the full picture, see the best time to visit the Maldives.
Flights over the holidays
From the UK, most routes connect through Doha, Dubai or Istanbul. Around Christmas and New Year these flights often sell out before the villas do, so sort out the flights before you fix the resort.
Many long-haul flights land in Malé in the evening. Seaplanes fly in daylight only, while speedboats run around the clock. If you land late, a resort close to Malé is the easiest first night. Our guide to seaplane or speedboat in the Maldives explains the trade-offs.
Five resorts for Christmas and New Year
We chose resorts that take the festive season seriously and suit different kinds of traveller. Two are built for families, three for couples.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Conrad sits in South Ari Atoll across two islands joined by a bridge. The larger has a kids’ club and family villas, the smaller is for adults only. Three generations can celebrate together and still sleep at opposite ends of the resort. For 2026, Conrad holds beach galas on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, with fireworks over the Indian Ocean at midnight. Save one evening between the holidays for Ithaa, the restaurant under the sea.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Jawakara Islands
Jawakara in Lhaviyani has 290 villas on two islands, and at Christmas its larger island, Mabin, is the natural pick for families. Last year’s programme included an underwater treasure hunt and a beach party, and the kids’ club runs its own festive activities. Picolo has stayed here, and we would book a pool villa. Read our full Jawakara Islands review.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Jawakara Islands
5.8 Undersea Restaurant
5.8 takes its name from its depth below the surface. New Year’s Eve seats go first.
Hurawalhi Island Resort
Hurawalhi is adults only and lies in Lhaviyani, about 40 minutes by seaplane from Malé. It is known for 5.8 Undersea Restaurant, named after the depth at which it sits. Last New Year’s Eve the restaurant hosted its own underwater dinner, and those seats go first. Hurawalhi is for couples who want a calm festive break with no children’s pool beside the loungers.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hurawalhi Island Resort
Gili Lankanfushi
Gili lies in North Malé Atoll, 20 minutes from the airport by speedboat, and every villa stands over the water. Each one comes with a personal host the resort calls Mr or Ms Friday. It suits travellers landing late who want to be in their villa before midnight. It also suits couples after a quiet Christmas with a good bottle from the underground wine cellar.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Gili Lankanfushi
Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa
Centara Ras Fushi takes guests aged 18 and over and is 15 minutes by speedboat from Malé. Of the five, it offers the most for your money over the holidays. Its all-inclusive packages cover the compulsory New Year’s Eve gala, so there are no surprises on the bill. Rooms are simpler than at the other four. In return, the journey is short at both ends.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Centara Ras Fushi
Worth knowing
Book early: Pool villas and large family villas go first. Many resorts release their festive offers in spring.
School holidays: UK Christmas school holidays rarely last much more than two weeks. With most of a day’s travel each way, seven nights on the island is a sensible minimum.
Alcohol: Resort islands serve alcohol as normal. On local islands and in Malé it is not permitted.
Dress for the galas: Gala nights are smart affairs. Pack a light dress or linen shirt and trousers, and leave the suit at home.
Our first choice for Christmas in the Maldives
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
If the whole family is coming for Christmas, Conrad is where we would send you. Two islands make room for a kids’ club and an adults-only retreat. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve the tables are laid on the beach, and the year turns with fireworks over the Indian Ocean. Ithaa, the restaurant under the sea, is on the same resort. Conrad also marks Orthodox Christmas on 7 January. The seaplane from Malé takes about half an hour. Book early, as family villas go first.
Check availability and prices at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Frequently asked questions about Christmas in the Maldives
Is the Maldives hot at Christmas?
Yes, the Maldives is tropical and warm all year, Christmas included. December is generally the start of the dry season, with more sunshine and calmer seas than in summer. Brief showers are still possible, especially early in the month. Pack high-factor sun cream, because the sun is strong even on cloudy days.
Do you have to pay for the gala dinner in the Maldives?
Usually, yes. Most resorts make the gala dinners on 24 and 31 December compulsory, and the charge is added for every guest staying those nights. For 2026 we have seen supplements of US$340 to US$750 per adult per dinner. Some all-inclusive packages include the galas, which is worth checking when comparing prices.
What is the minimum stay in the Maldives at Christmas?
Many resorts require at least four nights over the festive period, and some ask for longer around New Year. The rule varies by resort and appears in the booking terms. Given the long journey from the UK, we would suggest seven nights at the very least, so the flight time feels worth it.
Do they celebrate Christmas in the Maldives?
The resorts do, but the country does not. The Maldives is a Muslim nation and Christmas is not a public holiday. On the resort islands you will still find trees, Father Christmas, gala dinners and New Year fireworks, because the guests come from all over the world. On local islands the season passes quietly.
When should you book Christmas in the Maldives?
As early as possible, ideally six months ahead. Christmas and New Year is the busiest week of the year, and pool villas, family villas and seats via the Gulf and Istanbul disappear first. If you are booking late, your best chances lie with resorts near Malé, which have more villas and more transfer options.