The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands announces its festive programming for the season ahead. The theme of this year’s celebrations, ‘Eau’, will honor the resort’s oceanic home and the elemental power and magic of water by connecting and awakening guests to the beauty of the ocean, and interpretations of water in all its forms, with artfully curated moments
The festivities will begin on 22nd December with an evening reimagining the resort’s EAU Bar and spherical pool as a stage of liquid theater for the season. While the Christmas tree is switched on, guests will ring in the celebrations with signature Sangu cocktails in hand, looking ahead to a line-up running until 9th January 2025. Each night, guests will be treated to sunset shows of music, dance and theater inspired by interpretations of water, reflection, renewal and transformation. Candlelit concertos in the moonlight and a New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner are also being planned.
On 23rd December, Omakase venue IWAU will present an exclusive wagyu and sake feast, introducing the resort’s Asian flavors to the festivities. The celebratory gastronomy will continue with a Christmas Eve cocktail reception at sundown, Christmas Day Cantonese wok lunch, and a New Year’s Day barbecue. Throughout the holidays, a series of dining experiences will be held, such as Veuve Clicquot and Taittinger dinners, izakaya menus with sake pairings, oriental tea ceremonies and Champagne raw bars. This year’s exclusive baking masterclasses will invite guests to make their own traditional gingerbread house.
Other activities include Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program, in which the resort’s marine naturalists will be on hand to guide guests underwater. Guests can also indulge in luxury sunset cruises on a yacht or fish on a Maldivian Dhoni boat. Sunset painting and champagne soirees will accompany water-side acro-yoga, and sunrise cardio tennis sessions will also be available. Spa-seekers will enjoy workshops to learn the art of guasha self-massage, sound healing and tapping therapy. To close 2024 and welcome in the new year, intention-setting practices and floating meditation will guide resolutions, while in the Mystique Garden, sunrise yoga can be practiced at the foot of the resort’s 98-foot-tall banyan tree.
Younger guests will be treated with a visit by Santa Claus, water-inspired activities from bubble parties to over-water piñata fun and playgrounds, napping pods, an area for video games and movies, and a pool with jets and slides. Daily festive workshops will include gingerbread house decorating, Christmas wreath making, and Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program’s learning for junior guests, where they will explore the micro world of organisms living in the ocean.
A fashion show for children will also be held and teenagers can indulge in beach paddle ball, tennis tournaments, kayak racing and surf clinics. At the Fari Marina Village, The Fari Marina Night Market on the 4th of January will bring together the very best of the Fari Islands’ destination. Illuminated by artist James Turrell’s Amarta installation, the evening will present gourmet delicacies from both the resort and neighboring Patina resort, as well as an array of local crafts.