Kandima Maldives turns the holidays into a music‑driven island festival with “Rhythms of the Eras” 2025, a two‑week celebration running from December 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026 that remixes Christmas and New Year into an immersive journey through decades of sound, style, and flavor. The resort’s official festive hub and launch release confirm the dates, theme, and program pillars, with era‑inspired dining pop‑ups, live bands and DJs, family activities, wellness twists, and a show‑stopping New Year’s Eve beach gala under Dhaalu Atoll’s starry sky. It is designed as a “full‑sensory journey through sound, style, flavour, and movement,” led by Kandima’s playful, experience‑first DNA.
Dates, theme, and location
- Dates: December 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026, confirmed by Kandima’s press release and Visit Maldives news post. The window covers Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Orthodox holiday moments for extended getaways.
- Theme: “Rhythms of the Eras – A Festive Journey Through Time,” blending the jazz glamour of the 1920s, disco glitter, rock rebellion, hip‑hop energy, and modern EDM into nightly island experiences.
- Setting: Kandima’s 3‑km island playground in Dhaalu Atoll becomes an all‑ages festival space, where beachfront stages, pop‑up dining, and art meet water sports, e‑karting, and marine adventures.
Headliners, music, and entertainment
- Live bands and DJs: Expect “epic sets” from a rotating music roster, with release language promising top DJs, live bands, and surprise acts calibrated to each decade’s vibe throughout the season.
- New Year’s Eve: A signature beachside countdown with a live band, fireworks reflected on the lagoon, and a late‑night buffet carries revelers into the first hours of 2026, followed by a lavish New Year’s Day brunch.
- Throwback energy: Program notes and partner coverage emphasize a nostalgia‑rich arc from jazz to EDM, inviting guests to “relive the soundtrack of their lives—decade by decade.”
Culinary pop‑ups and gala dining
- Era‑inspired feasts: The season features themed culinary experiences like Smokin’ Blues & BBQ Grooves, The King’s Diner, and a Hip‑Hop & Grunge Street Food Cart at Breeze Beach, translating music eras into flavor and setting.
- Pairings and sunset rituals: Expect Chocolate & Whisky tastings, Caviar & Prosecco sunsets, a dazzling Christmas Day Brunch, and a lavish New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner, all called out in Kandima’s festive coverage.
- Holiday classics: Christmas tree lighting, Santa arrivals, and family brunches anchor the season’s heart, woven through the music‑led nights.
Family, play, and wellness
- All‑ages “PlaySpace”: Bowling, arcade classics, escape rooms, and karaoke power up the island’s new indoor entertainment arena for festive family time, with “don’t act your age” as the only rule.
- Fast Track e‑karting: Kandima’s high‑speed electric go‑kart track brings pulse‑racing laps to holiday afternoons, adding competition to the island’s active line‑up.
- KULA Art Festival: The island’s celebration of local artistry returns with beach‑side creativity and color runs, giving the holidays a community‑minded, cultural core.
- Eskape Spa, era‑inspired: Decade‑themed wellness and movement sessions—sunrise yoga, breathwork, and targeted treatments—round out the “journey through time,” offering balance between nights out and mindful mornings.
Christmas week highlights
- Tree lighting and Santa: Festivities kick off around December 22 with a lighting ceremony, carols, and Santa’s splashy arrival, followed by a special Christmas Eve buffet and a beachfront Christmas Day Brunch.
- Dive with Santa: A Kandima tradition that brings seasonal magic underwater for kids at heart and certified divers alike.
- Band nights: Maldivian and international bands take the stage across the week, creating effortless transitions from dinner to dancing on the sand.
New Year’s Eve and first week of January
- Beachfront NYE gala: A live band, fireworks over the lagoon, and a late‑night buffet set the tone for a long, joyful night; DJs keep the dance floor alive through the countdown.
- Recovery done right: A lavish “Hangover Breakfast” and New Year’s Day brunch lead a gentler January 1, with spa “reset” pathways and calm ocean time recommended before ramping back into evening music.
- Orthodox touchpoints: Barefoot BBQs and continued musical programming keep the island lively to January 7, aligning with extended festive stays.
Why Kandima’s 2025 festive stands out
- Experience‑first design: Leadership frames the season as more than a party, calling it a “full‑sensory journey through sound, style, flavour, and movement,” with music as culture and memory. It is a clear pivot from standard resort galas toward a curated festival model.
- Playful Maldives+: With e‑karts, indoor arenas, and beach clubs alongside reefs and art, the island punches above its weight for multi‑gen groups who want more than sun and sand.
- Clear calendar and dates: Press and destination sites align on December 21 to January 7, making planning easier for flights and villa choices.
Travel planning and booking tips
- Reserve early: Festive villas and suites sell fast; confirm compulsory gala supplements for Dec 24 and Dec 31 and check inclusions for kids. Partner and resort pages highlight set menus and pairings worth booking ahead.
- Transfers: Kandima sits in Dhaalu Atoll; if arriving late, coordinate seaplane or domestic + speedboat transfers to match daylight schedules and minimize wait times.
- Pack for play: Bring outfits for theme nights across decades, plus activewear for e‑karting, bowling, snorkels, and sunrise wellness. Reef‑safe sunscreen and low‑light camera modes will pay off at sunset and during fireworks.
Sample four‑night festive itinerary
- Night 1: Tree lighting and Smokin’ Blues & BBQ Grooves; after‑dinner live band at the beach stage.
- Day/Night 2: Morning reef snorkel; afternoon e‑karting and PlaySpace; sunset Caviar & Prosecco; 1970s disco night with DJ set.
- Day/Night 3 (Dec 31): Ocean morning; spa reset; New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner; live band; fireworks; beach after‑party into 2026.
- Day/Night 4 (Jan 1): Hangover Breakfast and brunch; lazy pool time; Hip‑Hop & Grunge Street Food Cart; acoustic beach set after dark.
Practical notes and etiquette
- Supplements and seating: Gala dinners on Dec 24 and Dec 31 are typically compulsory; reserve preferred dining times and beachfront tables early.
- Family flow: Kids’ clubs, PlaySpace, and gentle snorkels are ideal early in the evening; keep teens’ e‑karting for golden hour, then transition to era‑themed nights together.
- Ocean care: Follow no‑touch snorkel guidance; choose reef‑safe sunscreen; respect wildlife during manta and dolphin excursions.
Verified essentials at a glance
- Event: “Rhythms of the Eras – A Festive Journey Through Time.”
- Dates: December 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026.
- Highlights: Era‑themed music and dining, live bands/DJs, tree lighting, Santa arrival, KULA Art Festival, Fast Track e‑karting, PlaySpace arcade, Christmas Day Brunch, New Year’s Eve beach gala with fireworks, and New Year’s Day brunch.
- Where: Kandima Maldives, Dhaalu Atoll—3 km island with beaches, reefs, and an activity‑rich layout.
Secure the villa, cue the playlist, and pick a decade to lead the way. With music as the heartbeat and the lagoon as the stage, Kandima’s “Rhythms of the Eras” turns the Maldives’ 2025 holiday season into a dance‑through‑time—book now and get ready to groove into 2026, island style.
