This festive season, the Maldives glows with renewed charm as Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts and Colours of OBLU unveil a vibrant lineup of Christmas and New Year celebrations across their island resorts. Blending tropical indulgence with festive traditions, the celebrations begin ahead of Christmas and flow seamlessly into the New Year, creating a season filled with warmth, joy and island-inspired magic.

Two signature resorts, Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives and OBLU SELECT Lobigili, take centre stage with distinctive festive experiences designed to reflect the spirit of the season while staying true to their unique all-inclusive island identities.

At Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives, celebrations run from 21 December 2025 to 7 January 2026, bringing together relaxed mornings, festive evenings and lively beachside moments. Guests can start their days with sunrise yoga sessions or calm lagoon cruises, followed by cheerful gatherings around the Grand Kanifushi Christmas Tree, carol evenings and themed celebrations. Christmas Eve features Santa’s arrival, flowing drinks, upbeat music and a beachfront gala that continues into an open-air DJ party. Christmas Day offers a slower pace with a festive lunch, live music and a Cinema Under the Stars experience. The season reaches its peak with the Twilight Fantazia New Year’s Gala, where fireworks light up the beach as 2026 is welcomed in style. Complementing the celebrations is a festive offer that includes a 20% saving on a minimum four-night stay, complimentary round-trip seaplane transfers, the signature all-inclusive KANIFUSHI Plan, curated festive dining experiences, live entertainment and a New Year’s Eve gala dinner.

OBLU SELECT Lobigili presents a more intimate festive escape for couples, with celebrations taking place from 22 December 2025 to 9 January 2026. The adults-only island sets a relaxed and romantic tone, with days featuring lagoon adventures, wellness sessions and couples’ workshops. As Christmas approaches, the island comes alive with a tree-lighting ceremony, seasonal touches and cosy evening entertainment. Christmas Eve includes sunset cocktails, a gala dinner at Ylang Ylang and a Movie Under the Stars. The festivities culminate on New Year’s Eve with a Masquerade-themed celebration filled with music, dancing and fireworks over the lagoon. Guests can also enjoy a festive offer with up to 20% off on a minimum four-night stay, complimentary round-trip transfers, the all-inclusive LOBI Plan, Christmas tree lighting, gingerbread decorating, a festive pool party, a Christmas Eve gala dinner and a cosy movie night under the stars.

Across all Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts and Colours of OBLU properties, the festive season becomes more than just a celebration. It unfolds as a collection of thoughtfully crafted moments, blending island beauty, heartfelt hospitality and the joy of togetherness, set against the serene backdrop of the Maldives.

Ellenborough Park, the luxury hotel set in the heart of the Cotswolds in England, has announced the appointment of Gareth Davies as its new General Manager. Gareth joins the property from Rhinefield House, where he successfully led hotel operations, maintained high service standards and strengthened team engagement across departments.

With more than 15 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Gareth is known for his collaborative leadership style and clear focus on creating memorable guest experiences. His professional journey includes senior management roles at well-known properties such as Rhinefield House, Stanbrook Abbey Hotel, and New Hall Hotel and Spa. Across these roles, he has developed strong expertise in hotel operations, food and beverage management and guest relations, bringing a well-rounded approach to leadership.

In his new role, Gareth will work closely with the existing team to oversee all aspects of Ellenborough Park’s operations. This includes the hotel’s award-winning spa, fine dining offerings and accommodation experiences. His appointment comes at a significant moment for the property as it prepares to mark an important milestone in its journey, adding further momentum to its future plans.

Sharing his thoughts on joining the hotel, Gareth Davies, General Manager, Ellenborough Park, said, “I am honoured to join the dedicated team at Ellenborough Park and look forward to working with such a fantastic team. The hotel has an outstanding reputation for high quality service and luxury and I'm looking forward to making my own contribution to further amplify the guest experience. With the hotel celebrating its 15th anniversary next year, it's a wonderful opportunity to celebrate its heritage while shaping the text chapter.”

Ellenborough Park is a luxury country house hotel and a proud member of PoB Hotels. Known for its refined setting, exceptional dining, wellness facilities and bespoke guest experiences, the property continues to offer guests an elegant escape in the Cotswolds while building on its strong reputation for service and style.

Moscow is opening its festive doors to travellers from India with the return of its much-loved “Journey to Christmas” festival, running from 12 December 2025 to 11 January 2026. Part of the larger “Winter in Moscow” project, the month-long celebration transforms Russia’s capital into a grand winter stage filled with lights, traditions, fairy tales, and seasonal cheer.

For an entire month, Moscow’s streets, squares, and boulevards come alive with sparkling decorations, festive markets, cultural performances, and the comforting aromas of holiday food. Indian travellers, who are increasingly exploring Moscow for its snow-filled winters and rich heritage, will find the festival an immersive way to experience the city’s authentic Christmas and New Year celebrations.

At Manezhnaya Square, visitors can step into the “City of Christmas Tree Ornaments”, a nostalgic market inspired by early 20th-century cotton toys. The space features classic Russian New Year characters like Ded Moroz and Snegurochka, along with vintage fairy-tale figures, mini performances, and traditional Soviet-era festive dishes. The setting feels like a walk through an old holiday storybook, perfect for photographs and family-friendly experiences.

Tverskaya Square showcases decorations inspired by Moscow’s most iconic landmarks. At its heart stands an eight-metre Christmas tree, handcrafted by local artisans and adorned with oversized hand-painted ornaments and glowing golden icicles. Miniature silhouettes of the Bolshoi Theatre, VDNH pavilions, and Kremlin towers turn the installation into a living tribute to the city’s architectural heritage.

One of the festival’s biggest highlights is the 22-metre natural fir tree at Manezhnaya Square — the city’s second-tallest after the Kremlin tree. Decorated with over 10,000 ornaments and five kilometres of lights, the tree celebrates traditional Russian festive art. Hand-painted decorations, silk pennants, silver and gold icicles, and classic cotton figurines give it a warm, nostalgic charm that appeals to visitors of all ages.

The festival offers a packed calendar of activities for children and adults alike. Young guests can enjoy hands-on workshops such as ornament making, candle crafting, glass painting, and New Year cooking studios. Visitors can also enjoy theatrical performances based on Russian fairy tales, sports zones, curling schools, and over 170 festive ice shows, including classics like Swan Lake, Snow White, and The Twelve Months.

Adding an interactive touch is the “Journey for the Dream Gift” quest, where visitors collect stamps from different festival zones and exchange them for prizes, learning about traditions from across Russia along the way.

Food lovers will find plenty to enjoy, with festive markets across the city offering traditional Russian dishes, fresh pastries, aromatic teas, signature winter drinks, and special grill menus. Tverskoy Boulevard and areas near TSUM will also host exhibitions of designer Christmas trees and artisanal gift stalls selling ceramics, handmade souvenirs, and seasonal treats. The charitable initiative “The Kind Christmas Tree” invites visitors to help fulfil holiday wishes by scanning QR codes placed on festive trees.

As the centrepiece of the “Winter in Moscow” celebrations, Journey to Christmas brings together tradition, culture, entertainment, and warm hospitality. For Indian travellers looking for a true winter holiday — complete with snow, festive markets, cultural performances, and family-friendly fun Moscow’s Christmas festival promises a memorable and magical seasonal escape.