For tourists, visiting the Maldives is the perfect escape to relax and rejuvenate. However, life for the locals is different, as it mostly comprises work and essential everyday activities. Moreover, as a vast archipelago in the Indian Ocean, there is little interaction between the people living on different islands. Therefore, every celebratory occasion holds great significance for the Maldivians.
Festivals in the Maldives are joyous and exciting moments. They allow locals to come together and indulge in various events that honor their religious beliefs and showcase national integrity.
Most festivals in the Maldives take place on the larger inhabited islands, mainly Malé. However, you will find that all inhabited islands take their revelries seriously. The events might be smaller, but they tend to be more immersive, especially if you are not a local.
The island resorts are no different, each commemorating these special occasions in their own fashion, through firework displays, lighting up of the retreat, or having lavish dinners for their guests. Furthermore, when it comes to Christmas, Easter, New Year, and the India festival of colors, Holi, there are more parties on resorts than on the inhabited islands.
To be in the Maldives during a festival is a remarkable experience. The locals are incredibly welcoming, often inviting travelers to partake in the ongoing merriment. Therefore, island festivals are the perfect opportunity to get an up-close-and-personal look at Maldivian culture, food, and traditions.
Below is a month-by-month list of festivals in the Maldives for you. Do remember that some of the festival dates find their basis on the Islamic calendar, and thus, the exact dates might differ from year to year.
April Festivals
Ramadan
Since the Maldives is a Muslim country, Ramadan, or Roadha Mas in the local language, is the most prominent religious festival celebrated with much enthusiasm every year. Ramadan is a month-long fasting period that commences in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
During Ramadan, locals do not eat or drink anything in the daytime. Offices typically close earlier than usual, whereas shops offer great discounts to their customers.
Food is an integral part of Ramadan, with special delicacies prepared in every household and restaurant for dinner after sundown. Evenings are reserved for meeting with friends and family and visiting several cultural performances, including traditional music and dance events.
May Festivals
Eid-al-Fitr
The end of Ramadan is the start of a three-day religious period known as Eid-al-Fitr or Kuda Eid.
A national holiday, it sees locals wearing brand new clothes and visiting the houses of their friends for lavish feasts. Children usually receive gifts from their elders, whereas there is a general sense of charity in the air, as people go about giving food and money to those in need.
July Festivals
Independence Day
26th July is Independence Day in the Maldives.
It honors the day when in 1965, the island nation gained freedom from the British. There is much dancing and parading all-around on this national holiday, but for a memorable time, head to Malé’s Republican Square in the evening.
Eid al-Adha
An important date in every Muslim’s life, Eid al-Adha lies on the day after Hajj Day. In the Maldives, it is known as Bodu Eid.
There is plenty to do and witness on Bodu Eid. After the morning prayers, locals have fish cake followed by a grand meal. Dance and music performances on the streets are common, as is a parade through the city.
Amongst the proceedings is the tradition of Bodu Mas, or big fish, which involves fishers making a massive fish from coconut tree leaves. Concluding Bodu Mas is “Maali Neshun”, a group dance wherein people dress up and paint their faces to replicate the folktale of the locals defeating a massive fish with a holy man’s help.
October Festivals
National Day
The first day of Rabee-ul-Awwal (third month of the Islamic Calendar) is celebrated as Maldives’ National Day.
On this faithful date, people remember As-Sultan Ghazi Muhammad Bodu Thakurufaanu, who, along with his army in 1573, defeated the Portuguese. Events are limited to military parades and flag hoisting ceremonies in different parts of the country.
Prophet’s Birthday
A grand religious two-day event, Mawlid is when Maldivians come out on the streets to celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad.
During Mawlid, locals decorate mosques with beautiful multi-colored lights, there are large carnival-like processions, and numerous cultural evenings in honor of the Prophet.
November Festivals
Republic Day
On 11th November 1968, the Maldives officially shifted from being a monarchy to a republic.
A crucial political date, Republic Day events mostly occur in Malé and consist of parades and speeches by politicians.
The Maldives Embraces Islam
It was in the 12th century that the last of Maldives’ Buddhist rulers converted to Islam. Since then, the start of Rabi al-Thani (fourth month of the Islamic calendar) is considered the day the island nation embraced Islam.
On this date, schools and communities have lectures on Islam and its growing significance in the Maldives over the years.
While these are the official festivals of the Maldives, several smaller cultural events take place on different islands throughout the year. From kite flying and food festivals organized by resorts to the famous Party with a Purpose music event held at Kurumba Maldives and the Whale Shark Festival, there is much to experience during your Maldivian holiday.