Large-scale celebrations will take place across the UAE to ring in 2026, from concerts to festive activities. Expect plenty of fireworks, laser displays and drone shows to elevate the celebrations – including several record-breaking spectacles.
Here are all the firework shows confirmed around the Emirates so far.
Abu Dhabi
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
The Abu Dhabi landmark is hosting a New Year’s Eve party led by multiple-Grammy-winner John Legend. The evening will begin with a welcome reception under the hotel’s Grand Dome following by a gala dinner catered by its award-winning dining venues, including two restaurants with Michelin stars, before Legend takes the stage to help ring in the New Year along with a fireworks show. Celebrations will continue into the morning with an after-party at Palace Terrace, featuring DJs and live entertainment.
Tickets for the concert and fireworks show start at Dh3,500 per person
Liwa Festival
Those visiting Liwa Festival in Al Dhafra will be able to enjoy a fireworks show at midnight. Aside from those at the festival itself, residents and visitors can watch the display from around Tal Moreeb dune, Liwa Festival and Liwa Village.
Festival runs until January 3; entry is Dh10
Yas Bay Waterfront
The waterfront on Yas Bay will have two shows to ring in the New Year, one during the traditional countdown to midnight, the other earlier on, at 9pm. Guests can watch for free, but viewing from the pier is restricted to those with restaurant reservations. Outlets include Asia Asia, Bushra by Buddha-Bar, Central, Siddhartha and Zeera.
Sheikh Zayed Festival
Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival has been setting Guinness World Records with its firework and drone shows nearly every year – and organisers are promising new records this year too. A drone show, featuring 3D light formations, will begin at 11.30pm followed by a fireworks display at midnight.
One of Abu Dhabi’s largest annual cultural events, the festival brings together heritage, entertainment and global culture over five months. The festival grounds will feature expanded international pavilions, an ice-skating rink, amusement park and Heritage Village highlighting crafts, falconry and camel racing.
Festival runs until March 22; entry is Dh10
Mother of the Nation Festival
Abu Dhabi's annual family-friendly festival opened in Al Dhafra region and will run in the capital's Corniche area until January 4. Featuring musical performances, immersive art experiences, as well as a host of exciting retail and food pop-ups, this festival is ringing in the New Year in style with the city's skyline as a backdrop.
Aside from nightly drone shows at 6.30pm and 9.30pm, celebrations on December 31 include a concert by Egyptian singer and actor Ramy Sabry, followed by a fireworks show that will light by the Abu Dhabi coast.
Festival runs until January 4; tickets start at Dh35
Dubai
Burj Khalifa
The most visited New Year’s Eve fireworks show in the UAE, Burj Khalifa’s year-end display promises to be bigger and better than ever.
Designated free public viewing areas in Downtown Dubai will open at 5pm on a first-come, first-served basis. Major roads in the area will close from 4pm. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authorities is expected to announce public transport operational hours and stoppages soon.
For those looking for a more catered celebration, Burj Park in Downtown Dubai is hosting a ticketed New Year’s Eve party with unfiltered views of the fireworks and synchronised Dubai Fountain show.
There will be live entertainment, children’s workshops and food and beverage options as revellers count down to 2026. This year, celebrations include a Bollywood twist, with shows produced by Frontstage, owned by megastar Shah Rukh Khan.
Beyond New Year’s Eve celebrations, the party continues for a week until January 7 in Downtown Dubai stretching across several locations – from Burj Khalifa lake to Dubai Mall promenade – with a daily grand parade with floats, performers and puppets showcasing UAE culture.
Live entertainment, aerial displays and immersive light and laser shows will also celebrate Dubai’s past, present and future, developer Emaar said.
Burj Park opens at noon on December 31; tickets cost Dh557 for children under five and Dh997 per adult
Atlantis The Palm
Revellers heading to the Palm Jumeirah hotel can welcome the New Year alongside Maroon 5 who are returning to the UAE after a year for Atlantis The Palm’s annual New Year’s Eve concert and gala dinner.
The chart-topping pop group will join in the countdown to 2026 with an open-air performance, treating guests to some of their greatest hits such as Moves Like Jagger, She Will Be Loved, This Love, Payphone, Maps and more.
The evening will culminate with a fireworks display spanning from Atlantis The Palm to Atlantis The Royal in what is set to be one of the grandest end-of-year celebrations in Dubai.
Tickets start from Dh4,500 for the concert and gala dinner
J1 Beach
Located in La Mer South, this elevated sea-facing dining district is hosting its own fireworks show. Guests at its 12 restaurants and beach clubs will also have a vantage point of the Burj Khalifa display in the distance. Each restaurant is hosting its own celebration to ring in the New Year, at varying prices.
The Beach, JBR
Whether watching from the beach or the waterfront of nearby Bluewaters Island, there are plenty of good viewpoints for the fireworks that will light up the entire JBR beachfront at midnight. You could reserve a table at one of the many restaurants that are offering various packages, or take in the festivities at the free public areas, but find a good spot early as large crowds are expected in the area.
There will also be a drone show for the rest of the festive season with more than 1,000 drones lighting up the waterfront at 8pm and 10pm each night.
Expo City, Dubai
The site is hosting celebrations centred around the striking Al Wasl Plaza. The evening will begin with a celebration for families at 8pm, featuring a playlist of children’s music, a confetti-blast countdown and a projection on Al Wasl dome, the world’s largest interactive and immersive surface. This will be followed by the countdown at midnight and a fireworks display.
Tickets cost Dh150
Al Seef
In Old Dubai, head to Al Seef, the family and shopping destination known for its rustic vibe and Arabian-style design for a free-to-watch fireworks show at midnight. You can also enjoy several dining options including Emirati eatery Al Fanar Seafood, Nablus and Doors Freestyle Grill.
JA Beach Hotel
One of the oldest hotels in the UAE, JA Beach Hotel is hosting a Great Gatsby gala featuring a glamorous 1920s vibe with live bands, DJs and performers. At midnight, the sky above the resort’s beach will light up with a fireworks show. Don your most eye-catching attire as Palmito Garden is transformed into a glittering haven. The celebration kicks off with a sumptuous dinner paired with free-flowing drinks and dazzling performances from live bands, DJs, and dancers.
Tickets cost Dh2,000
Palm Tree Court
Celebrations at this Jebel Ali resort begin at 7pm with a lavish dinner accompanied by tribute performances of pop stars such as Sabrina Carpenter, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift. As midnight approaches, fireworks will light up the sky over the championship courses. The party will continue well into 2026 with DJs playing top tunes through the night.
Tickets cost Dh465 for children between five and 12 years, and Dh1,200 per adult
Global Village
In true Global Village spirit, this open-air family attraction is hosting seven countdowns, each fireworks and drone show timed to a country’s time zone.
It will begin with China at 8pm, Thailand at 9pm, Bangladesh at 10pm, India at 10.30pm, Pakistan at 11pm, UAE at midnight and Turkey at 1am.
The park is operating under extended hours on New Year’s Eve, with gates open from 4pm until 2am.
Tickets cost Dh25
World of Riverland
Fireworks will light up this Dubai Parks and Resorts attraction at 9.30pm on December 31. The theme park offers dining, shopping and attractions such as Neon Galaxy, Perplex City, Hidden Chamber and more.
Tickets start from Dh79
Ras Al Khaimah
Al Marjan Island and Al Hamra Beach
For three years in a row, Ras Al Khaimah has been setting its own firework and drone show records on New Year’s Eve. That tradition looks set to continue this year with a grand display above Al Marjan and Al Hamra.
Guinness World Record-certified feats already include the longest chain of aquatic floating fireworks, spanning 5.8km; and the longest straight-line drones display, a total length of 2km.
Two fireworks shows will take place in the emirate on December 31. The first one will be above Corniche Al Qawasim at 8pm. This will be followed by the main event at midnight – a 15-minute show combining pyrotechnics with large-scale drone formations over Al Marjan Island and Al Hamra Bay.
Al Hamra will also double as a festive arena, with dedicated areas for families and bachelors. There will be live music performances, children’s activities and food trucks, as well as a cordoned off camping area, with the venue open from 2pm.
Venues are free to access, but vehicle registration is mandatory
Sharjah
Al Majaz Waterfront
Festive celebrations will return to this family-friendly destination, with entertainment as well as a five-minute fireworks show at midnight to ring in 2026.
Khor Fakkan Beach
The outdoor destination and leisure complex will host celebrations, as well as a 10-minute fireworks show at midnight.
Al Heera Beach
A 10-minute fireworks show will light up the beachfront destination that is popular for its dining options.
