The Maldives Culture & Food Festival 2025 opens this evening at Hulhumalé Central Park, marking the start of a three-day national celebration of Maldivian culture, cuisine, and community, while also recognising a defining year for the country’s tourism sector as the Maldives welcomes the New Year.

Organised by Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment (MOTE) and the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), and supported by main sponsor Bank of Maldives (BML).

This year’s festival holds particular significance as 2025 marks one of the strongest years in the history of Maldivian tourism. The Maldives crossed the two-million tourist arrival mark earlier than ever before, recorded its highest tourism performance to date with travel receipts projected to exceed USD 5.8 billion, and was recognised as the World’s Leading Destination for the sixth consecutive year, making it the only country in the world to achieve this distinction. The festival serves as an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of local communities, tourism workers, and industry partners who have played a role in these achievements, and to conclude the year with a shared celebration of progress and national pride.

The festival programme offers a wide range of activities for families, locals, and visitors. Children’s zones feature bouncy castles, climbing walls, foam parties, and gaming arcades, while culinary showcases present Maldivian and fusion cuisine from local vendors. Cultural performances bring heritage to the forefront, with Boduberu groups performing during the day, followed by contemporary bands and live music acts in the evenings.

Interactive entertainment zones include vehicle displays, watersports activities, and family-friendly attractions throughout the venue. Key highlights across the three days include a drone show, a New Year’s Eve fireworks display, and the countdown to 2026, bringing visitors together in a collective moment of celebration.

The Maldives Culture & Food Festival 2025 provides a platform to celebrate cultural heritage, recognise the achievements of the tourism industry, and bring communities together in an open and inclusive environment. The event also reflects the continued support of national partners in promoting culture, creativity, and community engagement.

The festival is open to the public, and everyone is invited to join the celebrations starting this evening at Hulhumalé Central Park.