Gilded glamour at Grand Kandyan: Ringing in 2026 in Style
View(s):Whilst the final hours of 2025 slipped away, ‘Grand Kandyan Hotel’ in Kandy rose to the occasion with a New Year’s Eve gala dinner dance that unfolded in a wash of elegance, music and high-spirited celebration. Blending time-honoured hospitality with contemporary festivity, the iconic hill-country hotel offered guests a memorable and glittering welcome to 2026.
From the moment of arrival, the tone was unmistakably festive. Thoughtfully curated décor transformed both the hotel and its public spaces into a showcase of understated luxury, setting expectations for a night to remember. Guests were first welcomed with a stylish cocktail hour in the lobby, before being ushered into the majestic Royal Peacock Ballroom, where the evening’s main event came alive.
Dressed in a striking palette of black and gold, the ballroom exuded sophistication and glamour. Steering the evening with flair was the ever-charismatic Javed Bongso, whose confident compering kept the programme flowing seamlessly. The musical pulse of the night was delivered by popular band ‘Lunu Dehi’, whose high-energy performance had the dance floor filling up early, while DJ Harsha later took over with a carefully curated set that kept spirits high and feet moving well into the night.
Adding to the celebratory atmosphere were a series of engaging interludes that kept guests actively involved. Multiple raffle draws, interactive games and generous giveaways ensured that excitement rippled through the ballroom at regular intervals. One of the evening’s standout moments was the elegant crowning of the ‘Grand Kandyan Queen’, a touch of classic pageantry that brought an added layer of charm and visual theatre to the festivities.
Reflecting on the evening, General Manager Thusith Samaraweera noted the pleasure of seeing a vibrant mix of local and international guests come together to usher in the New Year. He observed that celebrating alongside the extended ‘Grand Kandyan family’ perfectly captured the essence of the hotel’s warm and inclusive hospitality.
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