The Festive Season Comes Alive at Kandima with Game-Changing Talent, Island Adventures and The Showtime Fairground

London, UK, 6 October 2026: Festive season in the Maldives is getting a sporting upgrade, as Kandima Maldives welcomes some of the most acclaimed names in women’s football to its three-kilometre island this festive season, giving guests the chance to get closer to the game through coaching, matches, challenges and beachside experiences.

The active lifestyle resort’s festive season will unfold in two chapters: Christmas in Paradise, from 20–25 December, followed by Showtime Fairground from 26–31 December, before culminating in a spectacular Kandima-style New Year’s Eve celebration.

The appetite for swapping the traditional festive break for sunshine continues to grow among British and Irish travellers, with Thomas Cook[1] reporting a 20% year-on-year increase in overseas holidays last season. Kandima offers an active take on the tropical Christmas, with music, sport and adventure at the heart of the programme.

Christmas in Paradise

From 20 December until Christmas Day, Kandima will embrace the magic of a Christmas in paradise, with the island brought to life through festive dining, family experiences, live entertainment and Maldivian celebrations. The festivities begin with Kandima’s Festive Tree Lighting and Welcome Sundowner, followed by a programme of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day experiences including a gala dinner, festive harmonies, Santa’s arrival on the beach, Christmas Day brunch, family activities and the annual Christmas Day Run. Families can also get involved with festive workshops, scavenger hunts and creative activities at Kandiland, while live music, local performances and beachside entertainment keep the celebrations going across the island.

Meet the Game Changers

Taking centre stage are Lucy Bronze MBE and Ona Batlle, who will spend some of their downtime at Kandima between Christmas and New Year amid the WSL season, and ahead of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Bronze, a five-time UEFA Women’s Champions League winner and England international, and Spanish international Batlle will bring their world-class experience from the highest level of the women’s game to the island. Guests of all ages will have the opportunity to learn from the pair, with family friendly beach games and a festive penalty shootout on the programme.

They will be joined by viral British football family, The Wingroves, who will host a large-scale family adventure game on 15 December, while former professional tennis player Dustin Brown will run daily tennis clinics, one-to-one coaching and the Dustin Brown Festive Cup from 17 - 27 December.

Adding to the island line-up, DJ Giulia Siegel will soundtrack festive sundowners, while Chef Ludwig Heer will create playful culinary experiences and guest-facing dining moments throughout the festive period. Magician Mr Marvel will add a sprinkle of festive mischief from 23–26 December.

The Showtime Fairground

Between Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve, Showtime Fairground will turn Kandima into a playful celebration of sport, entertainment, creativity and adventure.

The programme includes Krew vs Guests Beach Olympics, Fast Track e-go-kart racing, the KULA Fun Run, a mini-island tri-challenge, football, watersports and beach games, alongside live music, roaming entertainment, Maldivian performances, art workshops and festive dining.

For families, Kandiland will host festive workshops, scavenger hunts, glow parties and Christmas cinema, while PlaySpace offers bowling, arcade games, escape rooms and karaoke. Adults can head to Forbidden Bar for DJ sessions and an adults-only White Party.

The island will also spotlight the Maldives itself, with the KULA Art Festival showcasing local artists and craftspeople across digital art, coffee art, acrylic, henna, spray paint and traditional crafts, alongside Maldivian street food, artisan markets and local performances. The KULA Art Initiative operates a dedicated non-profit fund to support local creatives and community projects, and just this summer, held its first UNDP BIOFIN-backed Art for Biodiversity Exhibition on Kandima’s shores.

The Grand Showtime Finale

The festive season reaches its peak on New Year’s Eve with The Showtime Fairground Grand Finale, bringing together the island’s main entertainment and performances for one final celebration. The celebrations culminate in the Kandima Showtime Celebration, welcoming in the New Year with fire, beats and percussion, live performances from DC2 Entertainment and a show-stopping fireworks celebration on Smoked Beach. The action continues into 2027 with Kandima Running Club’s first run of the year, a Fast Track Grand Prix, island challenges, Maldivian performances and an adults-only DJ White Party.

At Kandima, the festive season is less about sitting still and more about getting involved, with guests invited to make the island their playground.

For more information, download the full festive programme on the website here.

Kandima’s Festive Season runs from 20 December 2026 to 7 January 2027, with The Showtime Fairground taking over the island from 26–31 December. Kandima is offering up to 45% off direct room rates between 24 December and 10 January. For more information and to book direct, visit kandima.com, with prices starting at £360 per villa per night on a B&B basis based on two adults sharing before offers.

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Ref 1: https://www.thomascook.com/press-enquiries/brits-swap-tinsel-for-tan-lines

About Kandima Maldives

This game-changing resort is an affordable lifestyle destination. Kandima Maldives is smart, playful, rooted, and responsible. This 3-kilometre resort is a place with an authentic Maldivian soul. It is all about genuine hospitality with a human touch and innovative solutions that make use of the latest technology. Kandima Maldives is part of the hospitality group Pulse Hotels & Resorts and caters to guests of all ages: families, couples, groups of friends, and honeymooners. Whether you seek relaxation, both aquatic and island adventures, well-being, fitness or just family time, this 270-room beach resort has something for everybody. With one of the longest outdoor pools in the Maldives, a football pitch, a 24-hour gym, a running club, tennis and volleyball courts, Aquaholics watersports center, E-Go-Karting and PlaySpace entertainment hub, Kula Art Studio and many more, there is plenty to keep everyone occupied.

For more details, please visit kandima.com, or follow on Instagram @kandima_maldives、Facebook Kandima Maldives and X @kandimamaldives.