While stars from the West headed to St Barts, Maldives and the Bahamas for New Year's Eve, the Arab world's celebrities spread out across the region to usher in 2023.
Many performed concerts in major cities, while others spent it with loved ones or headed out to glamorous parties.
Egyptian singer Amr Diab spent the evening tracking his new single's success, as Emirati star Balqees Fathi appeared on Lebanese channel LBC International in a special episode with Rodolph Hilal.
Here's where the biggest regional names spent the last evening of 2022.
Dubai
Some of the most famous international stars performed on Saturday night in Dubai, from Kylie Minogue at Atlantis, The Palm to Armin van Buuren at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre.
Taking in Enrique Iglesias's gig at Nammos Dubai was Egyptian superstar Mohamed Ramadan, who partied the night away with friends at the beachside restaurant in Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach.
He's starting the new year with a bang by also releasing a new single on Sunday.
Khor Fakkan
Also in the UAE were Emirati megastar Hussain Al Jassmi and Iraqi singer Aseel Hameem, who both put on a spectacular performance at the amphitheatre in Al Jassmi's home town of Khor Fakkan, Sharjah.
Al Jassmi is one of the Middle East’s top-selling artists. He released his first single Bawadaak in 2002, followed by Walla Ma Yeswa and Bassbor Al Fourgakom. However, it was 2014’s Egyptian shaabi tune Boshret Kheir that he is most known for.
Hameem's song Ser Al Hayat was the most streamed track by a female Arab artist on YouTube in 2020, now with more than 255 million views.
Riyadh
With Riyadh Season in full swing, some of the region's best-known stars headed to the Saudi capital to perform on the last day of the year.
At the Mohammed Abdo Arena in Boulevard Riyadh City, 12 famous faces graced the stage, including Lebanese superstar Nancy Ajram, alongside pal and fellow countrywoman Elissa.
Tunisian singer, actor and composer Saber Rebai was also there, alongside fellow Tunisian Latifa, plus Egyptian stars Angham and Bahaa Sultan.
Rounding out the star-studded set for the concert called Trio Arabic Night was Lebanese stars Najwa Karam, Nawal El Zoghby, Assi El Hallani, Walid Toufic and Wael Kfoury.
Beirut
Lebanon's capital was just as busy as Saudi Arabia's, as several regional stars descended on Beirut for a night of glitz and glamour.
Controversial Moroccan singer-songwriter Saad Lamjarred performed alongside Lebanese-Egyptian singer Haifa Wehbe, while beloved Iraqi singer and composer Kadim Al Sahir, fresh from a concert at Dubai Opera, also treated fans to a night of tunes.
Egyptian trap artist Wegz was also spotted in Beirut, hanging out with friends as opposed to performing.
El Gouna
Over in Egypt, fans of singer Ahmed Saad headed to El Gouna for an intimate concert.
Saad's currently riding a wave of success after his video for the song Wasa3 Wasa3 hit the YouTube top video charts and reached 121 million views after five months.
Scroll through the gallery below to see fireworks for New Year's Eve 2023 across the UAE
-
Fireworks explode from Burj Khalifa to ring in the new year. Reuters -
Burj Khalifa was the showstopper this year with its spectacular fireworks. AFP -
The world’s tallest tower shines brightly in a dazzling array of colours and lights at the stroke of midnight. AFP -
The colours of the UAE flag light Burj Khalifa, which also displays the image of President Sheikh Mohamed. AFP -
Those in attendance and watching online were treated to an unforgettable New Year’s Eve with laser shows and fireworks -
Bluewaters Island hosted a three-minute-long fireworks show to ring in the new year. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Revellers welcomed the new year against a backdrop of mesmerising light and sparkle. Antonie Robertson / The National -
On the other side of the bridge, The Beach, JBR, hosted its own fireworks show in tandem with Bluewaters Island. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The display also lasted for three minutes. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The fireworks gave residents and visitors a memorable show. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The JBR fireworks were full of colour. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The fireworks light up the water at JBR. Antonie Robertson / The National -
New Year fireworks at Yas Bay in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National -
Residents and visitors turned out in large numbers to see the fireworks at Yas Bay. Pawan Singh / The National -
Yas Island hosted two fireworks shows: the traditional one at midnight and an earlier one at 9pm, which allowed families with younger children to see the lights spectacle. Pawan Singh / The National -
Visitors were treated to some spectacular fireworks. Pawan Singh / The National -
The fireworks lit up Yas Bay. Pawan Singh / The National -
Al Maryah Island had a 10-minute fireworks display. Deepak Fernandez / The National -
The fireworks could be viewed from the promenade. Deepak Fernandez / The National -
Fireworks on Al Maryah Island had plenty of colour and variation. Deepak Fernandez / The National
