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THIS festive season, NIHI Sumba invites guests to celebrate Christmas and New Year through Wild Wonderland, a program of oceanfront gatherings, seasonal dining, family activities, and experiences inspired by the island’s traditions.
Set against Sumba’s dramatic coastline, the celebrations offer a different way to spend the holidays, with the freedom to explore the island and enjoy time together.
Taking place from December 22, 2026, through January 1, 2027, Wild Wonderland brings together familiar holiday traditions and the experiences that make Sumba so distinctive. From festive activities for younger guests to Christmas celebrations and lively New Year’s Eve festivities, the program offers something for families, friends, and couples alike.
For those traveling together, Raja Puncak, NIHI Sumba’s three-bedroom hilltop villa, offers a private setting to celebrate the season while enjoying everything the resort and island have to offer.
Perched at the highest point of NIHI Sumba, Raja Puncak overlooks Nihiwatu Beach and the Indian Ocean, with panoramic views of the surrounding coastline. Designed for families and larger groups, the three-bedroom villa accommodates up to six adults, combining a main residence and a separate duplex villa with spaces for both privacy and shared moments.
The master suite occupies the uppermost floor, featuring a private balcony and soaking tub overlooking the ocean. Two additional en-suite bedrooms provide their own retreats, with one featuring a private plunge pool and gazebo.
At the heart of the residence, a lap pool, open-air gazebo, and spacious indoor living areas offer plenty of room for families and friends to spend time together, from leisurely mornings overlooking the ocean to relaxed afternoons by the pool.
A dedicated Guest Kapten attends to the details of each stay, while private parking and a dedicated buggy make it easy to explore the resort. With its generous living spaces and secluded hilltop setting, Raja Puncak offers families and friends the comfort of being together while enjoying the privacy of their own residence.
At NIHI Sumba, Christmas brings together beloved holiday traditions and experiences inspired by the island. In the days leading up to December 25, younger guests can enjoy ornament making, gingerbread decorating, and activities with the resort’s Sumba ponies. A festive screening of Home Alone, complete with hot chocolate, offers a cozy evening for families as Christmas approaches.
Christmas Eve brings the celebrations outdoors, with Mini Pasola and horses on the beach, alongside festive activities for younger guests. As evening approaches, cocktails and Christmas carols set the scene for the lighting of the Christmas tree, accompanied by a traditional blessing.
On Christmas Day, guests can look forward to buffalo along the beach, a festive scavenger hunt, and Santa’s arrival, followed by a barbecue lunch at Nio. The afternoon includes a gift-giving gathering with children from a local village, bringing guests and the community together during the holiday season. Sunset drinks and Christmas dinner complete the celebrations, with the ocean and Sumba’s natural surroundings providing a memorable setting for the occasion.
As 2026 draws to a close, NIHI Sumba welcomes the New Year with an evening of celebration along the coast. The festivities begin with sunset cocktails at the Boathouse, followed by the sight of horses running along Nihiwatu Beach. Guests are then invited to take part in a bonfire ritual, casting their wishes into the flames before the evening continues.
The following morning begins at a more leisurely pace, with breakfast at Ombak and a barbecue brunch accompanied by live music at Nio Beach Club, offering guests a relaxed start to the New Year.
Beyond the festive celebrations, guests can continue discovering the experiences that have made NIHI Sumba such a distinctive destination. From horseback rides along Nihiwatu Beach and encounters with Sumba’s native Sandalwood horses to exploring the island’s villages, surfing its renowned waves, or enjoying the signature Nihioka Spa Safari, each day offers opportunities for adventure, relaxation, and discovery.
For those staying at Raja Puncak or across NIHI Sumba’s collection of villas, the festive season offers the freedom to enjoy the celebrations while making time for the experiences and people that matter most.
From Christmas gatherings by the ocean to welcoming 2027 beneath the Sumba sky, Wild Wonderland brings together the traditions of the season and the experiences that make NIHI Sumba unlike anywhere else. Whether celebrating with family and friends at Raja Puncak or discovering the island’s many adventures, guests are invited to spend the holidays at the Edge of Wildness. [sources/photo special]
