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:
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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