While the pandemic may have subdued the UAE’s normally extravagant New Year’s Eve celebrations, it doesn’t mean we can’t ring in the year in style.
From rock concerts to gala performances, a number of socially distanced events are taking place in venues ranging from an opera house and an amphitheatre to ballrooms and beach clubs.
Here are 11 concerts and club shows to check out on Thursday, December 31.
1. Party all night with Kiss
In what is set to be one of the world's biggest New Year's Eve concerts this year, legendary rockers Kiss will take over the hotel grounds of Atlantis, The Palm with an explosive greatest-hits show streamed live globally. With more than four decades of songs to choose from and $1 million in fireworks, Kiss will deliver a spectacle for the ages.
Kiss perform at Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai on Thursday, December 31 at 9pm. Standard livestream tickets are available for $39.99 from kiss2020goodbye.com. Physical tickets are available for hotel guests with packages available from atlantis.com/kiss2020
2. Hussain Al Jassmi brings it home at Khor Fakkan
Fresh from its official unveiling, the UAE's newest cultural space – the Khor Fakkan Amphitheatre – will host a New Year's Eve concert. And what better artist to suit the occasion than the city's very own Hussain Al Jassmi? The Emirati singer will perform all his hits in front of fans.
Tickets for Hussain Al Jassmi at Khorfakkan Amphitheatre start from Dh75 at platinumlist.net. Show starts at 8.30pm.
3. An elegant night with Wael Kfoury
One of the Arab world's greatest crooners returns to the UAE to end the year with an enchanting set of ballads, including Bahebak Ana and Meen Habibi Ana.
Wael Kfoury performs at the Festival Arena at Dubai Festival City. Doors open at 8.30pm. Tickets start from Dh600 at platinumlist.net.
4. Nassif Zeytoun
After years of being the supporting act at end-of-year parties, Nassif Zeytoun returns to the UAE as the star attraction. The Syrian singer and former winner of TV talent quest Star Academy will take to the Dubai World Trade Centre stage with a show mixing thumping Levant folk with smooth ballads.
Nassif Zeytoun performs at Dubai World Trade Centre. Doors open at 8pm and tickets start from Dh400 at platinumlist.net.
5. Go ‘Djadja’ with Aya Nakamura
The Afro-pop sensation will headline White Beach's New Year's Eve celebrations. Nakamura will perform on a purpose-built beachside stage, with the night's line-up also including DJ performances and an extensive fine-dining menu. With the venue located on the hotel grounds of Atlantis, The Palm, revellers will also be able to witness a spectacular fireworks display from the nearby Kiss concert.
Aya Nakamura performs at White Beach Dubai. Doors open at 8pm with tickets starting at Dh1,500. To book, call 04 426 2626 or visit Atlantis, The Palm website.
6. A gala night at the opera
Dubai Opera is putting on an eclectic night of entertainment for New Year's Eve. The gala event will feature a multi-course dinner, sets by Lebanese DJ Mrad and Emirati spinner Saif & Sound, as well as classic covers by Carrie Gibson's Nuvo Soul Band.
Tickets start from Dh1,550 at platinumlist.net. Doors open at 7.30pm.
7. Turn it up with Charlie Sloth
One for the hip-hop heads. British DJ and radio personality Charlie Sloth will bring his trademark "fire" to the booth at Dubai's Soul St with a set featuring rap and grime classics.
Charlie Sloth performs at Soul St, Five the Palm, Dubai. Tickets are Dh999. Doors open at 8pm. For details call 04 455 9989 or email fpjd.dining@fivehotelsandresorts.com.
8. Zero chill with Joel Corry
The clubs may have mostly been shut this year, but that didn't stop Joel Corry from dropping one of the year's biggest bangers with Head and Heart. The British DJ will roll into Dubai's Zero Gravity for a night full of euphoric electro hits including Lonely and Sorry.
Joel Corry at Zero Gravity, Dubai. Doors open at 8pm. Tickets start from Dh1,200 at platinumlist.net.
9. Solardo at Soho Garden
The UK duo will bring their heady house vibes and infectious live show to Dubai's Soho Garden. In addition to solo works such as the breakout single Tribesmen, the Manchester crew are known for their sterling remixes for the likes of Carl Cox, Duke Dumont and Gorgon City.
Solardo at Soho Garden, Dubai. Doors open at 8pm. Tickets start from Dh799. For bookings, call 052 388 8849 or email reservations@sohogardendxb.com.
10. New Year’s Eve with Lolita
A luxurious Russian cultural affair awaits at Burj Al Arab. One of the country's biggest celebrities, singer and actress Lolita Milyavskaya, will headline a gala event in the hotel's Al Falak Ballroom.
Milyavskaya will play a selection from her three-decade career, which includes solo hits Macho, Chasy and Flowers, as well as tell stories from her film career, which includes roles in the Russian musical version of Cinderella and the TV version of The Marriage of Figaro.
Lolita Live for New Year's Eve is at Burj Al Arab, Dubai. Doors open at 9pm. Tickets start from Dh5,000 at platinumlist.net.
11. Celebrate NYE in Ras Al Khaimah with Majid Al Mohandis and Balqees
If you are looking for some live regional music without the hustle and bustle, head to the picturesque Al Hamrah Island in Ras Al Khaimah. Headlining the emirate's biggest New Year's event are Iraqi crooner Majid Al Mohandis and Emirati-Yemeni singer Balqees. Both will perform separate sets with hits from their formidable catalogues. The evening will end with a fireworks display held just outside the coastal destination.
RAK NYE with Majid Al Mohandis and Balqees is at Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre, Ras Al Khaimah. Doors open at 8pm. Tickets start from Dh656 at platinumlist.net.
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Read more:
New Year’s Eve 2020: registration required for spot to watch Burj Khalifa fireworks - what you need to know
Watch Dubai's New Year's Eve fireworks on Zoom
Gene Simmons on Kiss's NYE show in Dubai: 'We have about $1 million worth of pyrotechnics'
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Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
The biog
Occupation: Key marker and auto electrician
Hometown: Ghazala, Syria
Date of arrival in Abu Dhabi: May 15, 1978
Family: 11 siblings, a wife, three sons and one daughter
Favourite place in UAE: Abu Dhabi
Favourite hobby: I like to do a mix of things, like listening to poetry for example.
Favourite Syrian artist: Sabah Fakhri, a tenor from Aleppo
Favourite food: fresh fish
THE%20SPECS
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A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
Expert advice
“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”
Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles
“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”
Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”
Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Children who witnessed blood bath want to help others
Aged just 11, Khulood Al Najjar’s daughter, Nora, bravely attempted to fight off Philip Spence. Her finger was injured when she put her hand in between the claw hammer and her mother’s head.
As a vital witness, she was forced to relive the ordeal by police who needed to identify the attacker and ensure he was found guilty.
Now aged 16, Nora has decided she wants to dedicate her career to helping other victims of crime.
“It was very horrible for her. She saw her mum, dying, just next to her eyes. But now she just wants to go forward,” said Khulood, speaking about how her eldest daughter was dealing with the trauma of the incident five years ago. “She is saying, 'mama, I want to be a lawyer, I want to help people achieve justice'.”
Khulood’s youngest daughter, Fatima, was seven at the time of the attack and attempted to help paramedics responding to the incident.
“Now she wants to be a maxillofacial doctor,” Khulood said. “She said to me ‘it is because a maxillofacial doctor returned your face, mama’. Now she wants to help people see themselves in the mirror again.”
Khulood’s son, Saeed, was nine in 2014 and slept through the attack. While he did not witness the trauma, this made it more difficult for him to understand what had happened. He has ambitions to become an engineer.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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THE LOWDOWN
Photograph
Rating: 4/5
Produced by: Poetic License Motion Pictures; RSVP Movies
Director: Ritesh Batra
Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sanya Malhotra, Farrukh Jaffar, Deepak Chauhan, Vijay Raaz
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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