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One thing’s for sure, Dubai knows how to celebrate New Year’s Eve. The City of Gold even holds a number of Guinness World Records for its fabulous fireworks displays.
With pleasant weather, a friendly community, delicious food, and a pool of attractions, Dubai is the ideal place for New Year’s celebration. So, it is no surprise that visitors from all over the world flock to Dubai to ring in the New Year.
However, there’s more to Dubai than the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab, so keep your eyes peeled for dazzling displays at other hotspots. Here are our favorite places around the city to watch new year’s fireworks and revel in the festivity.
Before we start, remember that New Year’s Eve is a busy one in Dubai, so expect traffic to be congested in popular areas such as Downtown. The most convenient and reliable option to get to your destination is to book a Blacklane limousine service . When you download the Blacklane app, you can have local, professional chauffeurs ready for you within minutes.
Burj Khalifa
Without a doubt, one of the sites that puts on the most spectacular fireworks displays in the world is the one and only Burj Khalifa, which has never failed to ring in the New Year with a bang since its official inauguration in 2010.
With its extravagant fireworks on New Year’s Eve, the Burj Khalifa’s celebration has been setting and breaking world records for several years. Additionally, fireworks are choreographed with lasers and lights to create unforgettable memories not only for locals and residents but for audiences around the world. The whole building transforms into a colossal LED screen during New Year’s Eve fireworks, with laser lights dancing to the beat of the music.
The Burj Khalifa is located in Downtown Dubai and shares the same outdoor area with the Dubai Mall, Souk Al Bahar, Dubai Fountain and the Burj Park. There are plenty of vantage points to see the Burj Khalifa fireworks from both near and far.
Without a doubt, the best spot to catch Burj Khalifa’s fireworks is from the footsteps of the tower itself, either from the Burj facing eateries and outlets at Dubai Mall (like Nike and Apple Store) or at the Dubai Fountain. For uninterrupted, picture-perfect views, we recommend reserving a table at one of the restaurants in the Dubai Mall or Souk Al Bahar.
Among the other good places to watch the fireworks are Dubai Opera, Palace Downtown, Manzil Downtown, Address Dubai Mall, and Address Boulevard. You can also watch the fireworks from the trendy restaurants at City Walk.
For free viewing, no place is better than the Dubai Fountain, right in front of the Dubai Mall. Make sure you arrive early (before 6 pm) to avoid the crowds and get a great spot. It is also worth considering Burj Park as an alternative.
Those who prefer the comfort of their couch can watch New Year’s Eve fireworks live online on Burj Khalifa’s social media accounts or Emaar’s YouTube channel.
Burj Al Arab
The famous sail-shaped monument, which is also the only seven-star hotel in the world, previously broke the record for the longest fireworks show. On New Year’s Eve, one of the city’s most exclusive gala dinners is held here, featuring haute cuisine prepared by internationally renowned chefs, paired with exquisite champagne.
For a great view of the fireworks, we suggest you make a reservation at one of the restaurants at Madinat Jumeirah.
However, the prices here are among the highest in the city. So, if you prefer to catch the shows for free, head to Al Sufouh Beach (Black Palace Beach), Kite Beach, or Umm Sequim Park before midnight. Come early as the area can get crowded pretty quickly.
Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah is known for setting record after record. On New Year’s Eve, an extravagant display of fireworks, lights and music lights up the outline of the whole island, which is visible from a very long distance. Also, you can expect an unforgettable New Year’s celebration at the iconic Atlantis the Palm resort with its pyrotechnics show. The glamorous Gala Dinner at Atlantis Golden Circle includes champagne, truffles, and a musical show with international bands and all-time favorites. There have been a number of surprise performers in recent years, including Kylie Minogue and Robbie Williams.
However, The Palm is not just Atlantis. Head to The Pointe and welcome the New Year with breathtaking firework displays, live DJs, and spectacular fountain shows. There are also numerous vantage points for visitors to watch fireworks for free on the Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk.
Due to the area’s hype, lots of tourists venture to the island to get right into the middle of everything, so it can get quite crowded.
Local tip: To avoid the crowd you may consider watching the Palm Jumeirah fireworks from outside the island. You can catch breathtaking views of the show from places like Al Sufouh, Media City, Jumeirah Street, or Dubai Marina.
The Beach at JBR
As a new addition to Dubai’s top fireworks displays, residents of the Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai Marina, and Jumeirah Beach Residences are treated to spectacular fireworks shortly after midnight to end the year on a high note.
The beachfront is over a mile long with free access for the public, and there is plenty of space, so no need to book anything in advance. There are lots of cafes and restaurants in the area as well as rooftop bars that offer exclusive services. Moreover, most hotels and accommodations here have seafront balconies that provide a great view of firework displays.
From early evening, the Beach at JBR is buzzing with entertainment and celebrations that continue until the early hours of New Year’s Day. You can participate in activities, games, and carnival rides, or indulge in a lavish feast.
As one of the hottest spots on New Year’s Eve, it can get very crowded here. We therefore recommend coming early and spending the entire day here. You won’t be bored here, because you’ll find a plethora of choices. It is a family-friendly destination with a wide variety of activities, eateries, shops, and not to mention one of the city’s favorite public beaches.
Global Village
Welcome to the place where entertainment is endless! The Global Village is a favorite festive destination for the whole family.
This multicultural festival fair features pavilions themed after different countries. On New Year’s Eve this place will turn to a wonderland of never-ending fireworks. There will be eight fireworks shows at the Global Village on New Year’s Eve, one for each time zone, in pavilions from those time zones. It is an unforgettable festival of eight new year countdowns in one night!
The main fireworks will be displayed at midnight, and the party will last until early the next morning. Global Village New Year’s Eve fireworks are best viewed at the park itself.
This is one of the best places in Dubai to spend New Year’s Eve with your family. With so many cultural shows, international cuisine, and entertainment options, such as the Global Village Carnaval, there is something for everyone.
As we mentioned lots of different neighborhoods in this piece, it might seem a bit confusing to decide which area is best for you. Worry not, we have created an ultimate guide that features the most popular districts of Dubai that suit every budget and taste. And if you’re wondering what else you can do in this unstoppable city, this article is for you.
