Welcome 2016 with a bang: the New Year’s Eve fireworks displays in Dubai

Downtown Dubai will kick off the celebrations at midnight, with the world-famous display at Burj Khalifa. Sarah Dea / The National

DUBAI // Tonnes of colourful explosives will light up Dubai’s skyline to welcome 2016 with a series of firework displays across the city.

Downtown Dubai will kick off the celebrations at midnight, with the world-famous display at Burj Khalifa.

A second display will begin at Burj Al Arab at 12.09am and then Jumeirah Beach Residence’s The Beach will close the fireworks display at 12.16am.

The Burj Khalifa fireworks’ theme will represent Dubai as a city of the future, organisers say. Audiences can also expect an audiovisual display with LED lights and lasers.

The 20-minute display will be streamed live on YouTube. You can watch it here.

Apart from the official fireworks, other events are also scheduled at Atlantis The Palm hotel and Global Village.

Atlantis The Palm is planning a 10-minute fireworks display, synchronised to music. A pyrotechnic display will also spell out the word Atlantis in the sky.

Global Village will ring in the new year with a fireworks display that will commemorate its 20th anniversary.

The Beach at Jumeirah Beach Residence will start its celebrations at 5pm with entertainment acts including fire breathers and acrobats — entrance is free.

During the 2014 new year’s celebration, Dubai set the world record for the largest firework display with 479,651 shells released in a six-minute show.

Authorities have recommended taking public transport to the venues, with the Roads and Transport Authority planning to extend the operational hours of the Dubai Metro.