With December right around the corner, the countdown til the new year has officially begun.
The UAE is known for putting on one of the world’s best fireworks displays annually to ring in the New Year. GRAZIA rounds-up the most photogenic spots in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to watch the fireworks show this New Year’s Eve.
With views directly onto the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall Promenade is a prime location to see the fireworks show on December 31st. The fireworks coming from the world’s tallest building is always impressive, so whether you have family and friends visiting, or just want to be astonished yourself, this is the spot to be. With many restaurants along the promenade, you can sit comfortably with table bookings in advance, or take to the streets to be in the middle of the action.
This year, Downtown Dubai is transforming into a stage full of fireworks, lights, and live performances to mark the end of the year. To ring in 2026, the celebrations at Burj Park will be spiced up with a dash of Bollywood as Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment are putting on the show. With more than just impressive fireworks, guests who buy a ticket to the Burj Park experience will enjoy immersive light and laser shows, live performances, and the recently reopened Dubai Fountain show. As Emaar stated, this year’s celebration really will be bigger and better than ever.
For many years, the Palm Jumeirah has been one of Dubai’s highlights when it comes to fireworks, and this year won’t be any different. If you have a booking or tickets to any one of the many hotels or restaurants on the Palm, then a great view is guaranteed. However, even without a ticket, you can view the fireworks from the crescent promenade, offering spectacular view onto the Atlantis’ extensive fireworks show or any of the many other displays that will be on that night.
Experience the ultimate New Year’s Eve celebrations at Global Village, a multicultural hotspot that invites family and friends to welcome the New Year, not once, but seven times in a single night. Starting at 8pm, the first fireworks go off to mark midnight in China. The countdown then moves through seven different time zones, including Bangladesh, India, and Turkey. Each strike of midnight is celebrated with a show of its own. Celebrate the New Year with your loved ones, no matter where in the world they are, at Global Village.
The Beach, located just across the Jumeirah Beach Residences at the Dubai Marina, is a seaside haven and the perfect spot to see one of the city’s most sparkly fireworks displays. With many restaurants along the promenade, book a table for comfortable seating, or dig your feet in the sand and celebrate the New Year in picnic-style.
With unobstructed views of the Dubai Marina skyline, New Year’s Eve here means one thing: fireworks. Enjoy a front-row seat to The Beach, JBR’s dazzling display, while watching the Palm Jumeirah’s show ignite the sky in the distance. And the spectacle doesn’t stop there, Bluewaters will host its own fireworks performance to complement the surrounding displays, giving everyone in the area a double, even triple, wow-factor.
A truly family-friendly event, Expo City invites everyone to ring in the New Year at Al Wasl Plaza. The celebration starts with an early countdown for children at 9pm, featuring a joyful confetti blast, music, and projections onto the iconic Al Wasl Dome. The night continues with a live DJ set, and the star of the show: the spectacular fireworks display that will light up the sky at midnight. Tickets are priced at Dhs150 per person. Get a ticket for you and your family before it’s too late!
Al Seef mixes old-world charm with modern celebration for this New Year’s Eve. Located by the historic waters of the Dubai Creek, Al Seef welcomes history as part of Dubai’s heritage district. Presenting a truly unique setting with the traditional dhows and old architecture, enjoy the stunning views of the fireworks display at midnight from any of the waterfront restaurants. Or for something truly special, rent a boat or take a water taxi at midnight to be on the water and right in the centre of the action.
Truly spectacular, the Sheikh Zayed Festival will break the world record with a continuous firework show that will last for more than fifty minutes. The display will adorn the sky in different formations and colors, breaking yet another Guinness World Record for the longest and largest firework show in the world. For the cherry on top, the night continues with an exciting drone show, music, and many more surprises. Explore all the festivities and feast on the food stalls this New Year’s Eve for only Dhs50.
If you’re looking for an authentic Abu Dhabi experience this New Year’s Eve, then Tal Moreeb is your place to go. A winter favourite for many dune bashers and motorsports fans, Abu Dhabi’s iconic ‘Scary Mountain’ is located at the annual Liwa Festival in Al Dharfa region. At over 300 meters, ‘Scary Mountain’ is considered the world’s tallest sand dune, allowing for prime fireworks viewing and plenty of festivities to ring in the New Year. Tal Moreeb fireworks are best viewed from the built-up areas around the dune, Liwa Festival, or Liwa village.
Every year, Yas Island offers a top-notch fireworks show. Yas Bay Waterfront is filled with rooftop lounges, restaurants, and hosts many venues where you can enjoy the show with front-row views. The best vantage spots on the island include: Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Marina, Yas Beach, or Manar at Samaliyah Island.
If you’re looking to connect with nature this New Year’s Eve, then Mugheriah Bay Waterfront in Al Mirfa is the place to be. Home to a wide variety of retail, leisure, and lifestyle experiences, there is plenty of entertainment for the whole night alongside the spectacular fireworks display at midnight. Book a stay at one of the many top resorts located at Al Mirfa for direct views on the show, or take the more adventurous route and escape the city, celebrating along the mangroves.
