Most resorts pack away the festive decorations by Boxing Day. Patina Maldives, on the Fari Islands lagoon, is doing the opposite — it saves the party for 4-7 January 2027, when Orthodox Christmas rolls around.
The centrepiece is a visit from chef Maxim Artyukhov, Brand Chef and Executive Chef of Russia's SATEEN GROUP, whose cooking draws on the food heritage of the Don region. He hosts special dining at Fari Beach Club on 4 and 5 January, pairing regional Russian and European flavours with local farm produce.
The big night falls on 6 January at Helios Pavilion: Christmas cocktails and canapés, then a curated menu blending international dishes with well-loved Russian specialities. Entertainment comes from Anton Belyaev, frontman of the band Therr Maitz, whose mix of indie, soul and electronic sets the mood before a fireworks show over the Indian Ocean.
Families are clearly a target market. Kids get a full slate on 6 January — mindful walks, yoga, a wildflower challenge, craft sessions, outdoor games and a first taste of snorkelling — plus a padel tennis tournament for everyone. While the adults settle into the Christmas dinner, children have their own supervised play space.
The folklore finale arrives on 7 January, when Ded Moroz — the Russian Father Frost — turns up with his granddaughter Snegurochka bearing gifts for younger guests. Reservations go through reservations.maldives@patinahotels.com.
Why care? Orthodox Christmas on 7 January is barely served by most luxury resorts, and Russian travellers are a major market in the Maldives. If you celebrate the later date, or you just want a second festive season with better weather, this is a rare dedicated programme rather than an afterthought.
It's also part of a broader Maldives push to stretch the holiday season. Elsewhere in the archipelago, Meyyafushi and Fushifaru are hosting Belgian Michelin-starred chef Wout Bru for one-off dinners in early November 2026 — USD 450 per person at the Bubble Underwater Restaurant and USD 300++ for a five-course meal at Raakani — while Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts is planning themed festive programmes across Kanifushi, VARU and RAAYA from late December 2026 into early January 2027. January is quietly becoming a good month to find a resort doing something a bit different.
