Pop, RnB, flamenco, Russian balladry, house and dance music are among the sounds you can hear at the numerous New Year’s Eve events taking place across the UAE.
With more shows for December 31 to be announced in coming weeks, expect everything from lavish gala dinners and concerts in some of the country’s most prestigious hotels, to cutting-edge electronic sets in leading clubs.
Here are some ways to ring in 2026, be it in a ballroom or on the dance floor.
Abu Dhabi
1. Alicia Keys at Saadiyat Nights, Abu Dhabi
The US singer-songwriter will return to perform as part of the Saadiyat Nights concert series, this time headlining its first New Year’s Eve show.
It marks the singer's second appearance at the event after a sold-out performance in 2024. The concert comes as she reportedly works on a new album set for release next year, a follow-up to her 2022 record Keys II.
The show is part of a bumper Saadiyat Nights season running until March, featuring upcoming performances by Mariah Carey, Diana Ross and Lewis Capaldi. Expect to hear hits such as Fallin’, If I Ain’t Got You and No One.
Timing and tickets TBC
2. John Legend at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi
The US singer-songwriter and Egot-winner will headline a New Year’s Eve gala on the hotel’s Palace Terrace overlooking the Arabian Gulf. The black-tie evening includes a reception, dinner and firework display, followed by the live performance featuring songs such as All of Me and Love Me Now.
Doors open at 8pm, tickets from Dh3,500
3. Nassif Zeytoun and Haifa Wehbe at Space 42 Arena, Abu Dhabi
The two Arab pop stars team up for a end-of-year concert in the new Abu Dhabi venue. Expect individual sets featuring Zeytoun’s Mich Aam Tezbat Maii and Wehbe’s Baba Fen among other fan favourites.
Show starts at 9:30pm; tickets from Dh495
Dubai
4. Maroon 5 at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai
Expect chart-toppers such as Moves Like Jagger, Sugar and This Love as the American pop-rock band takes to the stage as the headline act at Atlantis The Palm. Concert aside, the evening includes a lavish buffet dinner and a firework display stretching across Palm Jumeirah.
Doors open at 7pm; tickets from Dh4,500
5. Najwa Karam and Wael Kfoury at Festival Arena, Dubai Festival City
Two of Lebanese pop’s most enduring stars will team up for a joint New Year’s Eve concert. Najwa Karam will perform hits including Khallini Shoufak and Hayda Haki, while Wael Kfoury will deliver favourites such as El Bint El Awiye and Omri Kellou. The seated event includes a dinner service.
Doors open at 7.30pm; tickets from Dh495
6. Cyrine Abdelnour at Palazzo Versace Dubai
The Lebanese singer will headline an event featuring live bands and DJs performing across the hotel’s venues. The evening includes a red-carpet arrival and a choice of gala dinners across the resort before the performances take place outdoors, along with a fireworks display over Dubai Creek.
Doors open 7pm; dinner packages from Dh1,999
7. Bader Al Shuaibi and Disco Misr at Festival Bay, Dubai Festival City Mall
Kuwaiti pop singer Bader AlShuaibi and Egyptian electronic trio Disco Misr will headline an outdoor New Year's Eve show on Festival Bay. AlShuaibi will perform hits including Mahsoma and Ya Hob, while Disco Misr will bring their reinterpretations of Arabic pop fused with house and electronic sounds. The night culminates with a countdown and fireworks display.
Doors open at 7pm; tickets from Dh69
8. Roger Sanchez and Chico Castillo at Five Luxe JBR, Dubai
House music anthems and flamenco pop are on the cards at the Dubai superclub.
US DJ Roger Sanchez will lead the affair with a set including hits Another Chance and Turn On the Music, followed by Chico Castillo from the Gipsy Kings performing favourites such as Bamboleo and Djobi Djoba. The countdown will culminate in a seven-minute firework display with views of Ain Dubai.
Doors open at 8pm; tickets from Dh2,500
9. CamelPhat and Mahmut Orhan at Ushuaia Dubai Harbour Experience
British electronic duo CamelPhat will be on the decks in the outdoor venue, playing their blend of house and melodic techno including the club anthem Cola.
Joining the line-up are Turkish DJ and producer Mahmut Orhan, French duo Birds of Mind and Swiss DJ Andrea Oliva. The waterfront venue will also offer glittering views of fireworks across Dubai Harbour.
Doors open at 8pm; tickets from Dh250
10. Boney M, Valeriya and Egor Kreed at The Theatre Dubai, Fairmont Dubai
A Euro-pop end-of-year celebration is on offer, with German disco group Boney M part of a bill that includes Russian star Valeriya and rapper Egor Kreed. The seated gala event features a multi-course dinner before the performances, with Boney M delivering classics including Daddy Cool, Rasputin and Rivers of Babylon.
Doors open at 7pm; tickets from Dh14,800
11. Tomorrowland presents Miss Monique and Rivo at Terra Solis Dubai
International dance festival brand Tomorrowland will host a New Year’s Eve event featuring Ukrainian DJ Miss Monique and French electronic producer Rivo. The open-air show also has support sets from UAE talents Hilde and Quilliam.
Doors open at 8pm; tickets from Dh200
12. Valeriy Meladze and Albina Dzhanabaeva at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai
An elegant affair of Russian entertainment led by singers Valeriy Meladze and Albina Dzhanabaeva, alongside sets by comedians Ekaterina Varnava and Alexander Gudkov. The evening includes a lavish multi-course dinner and terrace views overlooking the Arabian Gulf.
Doors open at 8pm; tickets from Dh2,500
13. Shimza at Be Beach Dubai
South African DJ Shimza will bring his Afro-tech and deep house sets to the waterfront venue overlooking the city skyline.
Doors open at 7pm; tickets from Dh400
