Baa Atoll's iconic Amilla Maldives is inviting merrymaking guests to shake their tailfeathers this Christmas with a 12-day parade of carnival-inspired festivities with a feathery flourish.

Set on the idyllic sands and seas of Baa Atoll, Amilla Maldives' rendition of the Yuletide season will draw inspiration from its island culture, as well as the vibrant feathers, flavours and flamboyance of carnival. After opening the season with laidback parties at Baa Bar and a traditional Maldivian feast at Baazaar - complete with Bodu Beru drummers and local lacquer craftsmen - the rhythms of Rio will ramp up with Brazilian funk, samba and lambada dance classes, and workshops on the Brazilian martial art of capoeira. Families and children can bond in style with Aerial Circus Adventures at the Sultan's Village Kids' Club; enjoy a moonlit movie night screening of hit animation Rio; or join in a samba drum circle, fiesta workshop, or 'Circus in the Sand'.

On 23 December, guests can swap carols for corals with a morning snorkelling tour of the resort's coral garden, before joining the evening's Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Christmas Eve itself will be celebrated with creative Homemade@Amilla cocktails and a festive buffet dinner, while on Christmas Day, kids will have the chance to meet a 'mermaid' in the main pool – after a visit from Santa Claus and his merry helpers of course. Guests seeking a Maldivian take on the traditional Christmas lights can experience Amilla's magical marine life after dark with an evening of UV night snorkelling, while Baa Bar hosts nightly live music and entertainment from 24 December to 2 January to keep everyone in the festive spirit.

On New Year's Eve, the feathery festivities reach their height with a Rio Carnival party and dinner to ring in the New Year. Fire performers, stilt walkers, and salsa dancers will roam the resort, mesmerising guests with their captivating tricks. As the clock strikes midnight, the Maldivian night sky will light up with a spectacular fireworks show to welcome the arrival of the new year.

For more information about Amilla Maldives' festive programming and other events, head to https://amilla.com/maldives-events/.

Abercrombie & Kent (www.abercrombiekent.co.uk; 01242 386 500) offers seven night festive holidays at Amilla Maldives from GBP10,458 per person including Lagoon Water Pool Villa accommodation for two adults sharing on a B&B basis, Christmas Eve dinner, return seaplane transfers and return economy flights from London. Price shown based on departure on 23 December 2023. Subject to availability.

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