Burj Khalifa's New Year's Eve 2020 fireworks. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
Burj Khalifa's New Year's Eve 2020 fireworks. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
Burj Khalifa's New Year's Eve 2020 fireworks. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National
Burj Khalifa's New Year's Eve 2020 fireworks. Photo: Ruel Pableo for The National

Where to watch the New Year's Eve 2021 fireworks in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and RAK


Janice Rodrigues
  • English
  • Arabic

After a long and tumultuous year for many, it’s time to see 2021 off in grand fashion. And luckily, the UAE knows how to kick off a spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration. This year will be no different, with a number of record-breaking attempts announced. Here’s a look at all the UAE venues that will put on a firework display this year.

In Dubai

Burj Khalifa

The big daddy of firework displays, so to speak, will put on a suitably ostentatious show called the Eve of Wonders at the stroke of midnight on Friday. Visitors can expect impressive pyrotechnics and spectacular light shows, as well as a new laser feature that’s making its debut at The Dubai Fountain in sync with Burj Khalifa's programme. Visitors who want to head to Downtown Dubai on the big night, can log on to the U by Emaar app and complete the pre-registration process, after which they will receive individual QR codes that can be used to access all Downtown Dubai locations on New Year's Eve. Several restaurants in The Dubai Mall have launched packages for those looking for a front row seat to the spectacle – although they do come at a hefty price tag – as can be seen here.

Expo 2020 Dubai

Expo 2020 Dubai New Year's Eve celebrations will feature dance music and fireworks. Courtesy: Expo 2020 Dubai
Expo 2020 Dubai New Year's Eve celebrations will feature dance music and fireworks. Courtesy: Expo 2020 Dubai

The “world’s greatest show” is set to ring in 2022 in a grand manner. There will be two firework displays taking place – one at midnight and another at 3am on Saturday.

Visitors can also expect 13 hours of non-stop festivities, beginning at 3pm. There will be entertainment from world-famous DJs, a midnight “ball drop” at Al Wasl Plaza and celebrations across some of the 192 country pavilions to celebrate the occasion.

Atlantis, The Palm

Atlantis, The Palm will host a gala dinner to ring in the New Year, with front row seats to the fireworks. Photo: Atlantis, The Palm
Atlantis, The Palm will host a gala dinner to ring in the New Year, with front row seats to the fireworks. Photo: Atlantis, The Palm

The luxury hotel has promised “one of Dubai’s largest and most stunning firework and pyrotechnic displays” at midnight on New Year's Eve. Although the duration hasn’t been mentioned, it has announced that the fireworks will light up the skies above the The Royal Beach, turning it into a riot of colour.

Global Village

Global Village will be having eight separate fireworks displays for New Year's Eve 2021. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National
Global Village will be having eight separate fireworks displays for New Year's Eve 2021. Photo: Chris Whiteoak / The National

Family-favourite Global Village will be counting down to 2022 with eight separate firework displays, synchronised to the timings of eight different destinations around the globe. Fireworks will start at the park during the day as Australia enters the new year at 5pm UAE time. Guests will then herald the New Year in Philippines at 8pm, Thailand at 9pm, Bangladesh at 10pm, India at 10.30pm and Pakistan at 11pm. At midnight, a five-minute firework display will welcome the New Year. An hour later at 1am, the eighth and final firework display will coincide with New Year in Russia.

Dubai Festival City Mall

Enjoy a laser, light and fountain show at Festival City Mall. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Enjoy a laser, light and fountain show at Festival City Mall. Chris Whiteoak / The National

There’s plenty of reason to ring in 2022 at Dubai Festival City Mall, which is hosting a New Year's Eve spectacular. The popular Imagine laser, light and fountain show will take place every hour, starting from 6.05pm until 1am, and joined by fireworks at 9pm and midnight. There will also be live performances from musicians, all set against the backdrop of Festival Bay waterfront views.

Bluewaters Island

Bluewaters Island will be having fireworks for NYE 2021. Photo: Bluewaters Island
Bluewaters Island will be having fireworks for NYE 2021. Photo: Bluewaters Island

The waterfront island will be ushering in the New Year with fireworks at the stroke of midnight. In the run up to the display, there will be live music and paparazzi-themed roaming performers entertaining visitors across the island's open avenues.

The entertainment venue will also be showcasing the Middle East’s longest running drone light show, which illustrates the UAE’s journey with 500 drones, taking place at 8pm and 10.30pm. Visitors can take in the festivities from Ain Dubai – which has launched New Year's Eve packages from Dh1,500 – and from many of the restaurants, which have launched set menus for the occasion. Public transport is recommended as parking on the day will be limited to Bluewaters residents, attraction ticket holders, Caesars Palace Dubai hotel guests and restaurant guests with confirmed reservations.

There will be complimentary back-to-back shuttle buses running from 2pm to 2am at Jebel Ali Metro, or visitors can also take a scenic walk via the pedestrian bridge connecting Bluewaters to JBR.

Al Seef

Visitors will be able to catch the fireworks at Meraas waterfront destinations Al Seef and La Mer this New Year's Eve. Photo: Meraas
Visitors will be able to catch the fireworks at Meraas waterfront destinations Al Seef and La Mer this New Year's Eve. Photo: Meraas

The heritage district of Al Seef will be having midnight firework display. With the Dubai Creek in the background and many waterfront restaurants, there's plenty of reason to head there on New Year's Eve.

La Mer

The picturesque waterfront property will host a firework display at midnight. Visitors will be able to enjoy it from many of the venue's dining establishments.

Burj Al Arab

Burj Al Arab will be having an eight minute long fireworks display on December 31. Photo: Burj Al Arab
Burj Al Arab will be having an eight minute long fireworks display on December 31. Photo: Burj Al Arab

The world-famous hotel has confirmed there will be a firework display that will run for eight minutes, taking place at midnight on December 31.

In Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Zayed Festival

There will be a 40-minute firework display at Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. Photo: Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival
There will be a 40-minute firework display at Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. Photo: Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival

All eyes will be on the capital this year, as Abu Dhabi will attempt to break three Guinness World Records as part of Sheikh Zayed Festival's New Year's Eve celebrations. There will be a 40-minute firework display that will attempt to set records for volume, duration and form. The festival organising committee has also lined up a series of entertainment events and performances for the night. A giant drone show that will light up the skies of Al Wathba will also take place. "This will be the first show of its kind and magnitude in the world," said state news agency Wam.

Yas Island

Yas Island will welcome 2022 with two fireworks celebrations at Yas Bay. Set to take place on Thursday at 9pm and then again on Friday at midnight, UAE residents can expect a spectacular display. Apart from pyrotechnics, there will be a live performance by popular Bollywood singer Atif Aslam, who will be performing for the first time on Yas Island at Etihad Arena. Guests between 12 and 16 years of age will require a valid negative PCR test with a 96-hour validity, and guests who are 16 years old and above, must be fully vaccinated with a green status on Al Hosn app, as well as a negative PCR test with a 96-hour validity.

Abu Dhabi Corniche

It's a favourite for NYE celebrations and this year is no different. Abu Dhabi residents will be able to see the skies above the Corniche light up at midnight on December 31.

Al Maryah Island

Al Maryah Island will host a family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration featuring concerts by a trio of Arab pop stars as well as a fireworks display. The event, running from 6pm to 2am, will take place in the South and North Plazas of the site, with the fireworks best viewed from the promenade. Lebanese pop star Elissa will be joined by Emirati crooner Hussain Al Jassmi and Emirati-Yemeni singer Balqees. The trio will perform separately at the 1,200 capacity South Plaza as part of a sold-out concert. Doors open at 7pm, with performances to begin an hour later. The family activities will take place in North Plaza, where doors will open from 6.30pm. In addition to food and beverage stalls, there will be a giant version of popular board games and areas to play basketball and test your archery skills. Entry is free, with the exception of the concert which is ticketed.

Saadiyat Beach Club

The Saadiyat Island venue will have dazzling fireworks at the stroke of midnight.

Hazza bin Zayed Stadium

Residents of Al Ain can head over to the attraction, which is popular with locals and tourists, as there will be a grand display to usher in 2022.

Madinat Zayed

There will also be a grand fireworks show in the Al Dhafra region in Abu Dhabi at midnight.

In Sharjah

Sharjah’s firework display lights up the sky at Al Majaz Waterfront. Courtesy National Network Communications
Sharjah’s firework display lights up the sky at Al Majaz Waterfront. Courtesy National Network Communications

Al Majaz Waterfront

The leisure destination is a favourite for families come New Year’s Eve, and this year will be no different. Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has announced that there will be a 10-minute long fireworks show lighting up the sky in Al Majaz Waterfront. The family-friendly venue has a number of dining spots for those who want front row seats for the display.

Khorfakkan Beach

Over at the east coast, Sharjah residents will be able to take in a 10-minute-long firework display at Khorfakkan Beach. Here too, there is a variety of restaurants and cafes offering viewing spots.

In Ras Al Khaimah

The emirate's organising committee for the night is gearing up for a Guinness World Record-breaking fireworks display, which will feature pyrodrones, lights, colours and shapes. The 12-minute pyrotechnic spectacle, which will cover a 4.7-kilometre area along the waterfront between Al Marjan Island and Al Hamra Village, will aim to break two world records. The first attempt will be for the Most Remote Operated Multirotors / Drones Launching Fireworks Simultaneously and the second attempt is for the Highest Altitude Multirotor / Drone Firework Display.

Gates will open at 4pm for the firework display.

Family-friendly activities and events around the display are being planned, plus children’s play areas and food and drinks outlets.

To mark the beginning of 2021, Ras Al Khaimah dazzled guests with a 10-minute firework show that won the Guinness World Records titles for most unmanned aerial vehicles for launching fireworks simultaneously, and the longest fireworks waterfall.

This list is being updated*

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Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

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Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

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'My Son'

Director: Christian Carion

Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis

Rating: 2/5

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Thiago (37')
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Man of the match: Diogo Jota (Liverpool)

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Abu Dhabi World Pro 2019 remaining schedule:

Wednesday April 24: Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, 11am-6pm

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Friday April 26: Finals, 3-6pm

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Cricket World Cup League Two

Oman, UAE, Namibia

Al Amerat, Muscat

 

Results

Oman beat UAE by five wickets

UAE beat Namibia by eight runs

 

Fixtures

Wednesday January 8 –Oman v Namibia

Thursday January 9 – Oman v UAE

Saturday January 11 – UAE v Namibia

Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia

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Company profile

Date started: December 24, 2018

Founders: Omer Gurel, chief executive and co-founder and Edebali Sener, co-founder and chief technology officer

Based: Dubai Media City

Number of employees: 42 (34 in Dubai and a tech team of eight in Ankara, Turkey)

Sector: ConsumerTech and FinTech

Cashflow: Almost $1 million a year

Funding: Series A funding of $2.5m with Series B plans for May 2020

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.”

The Case For Trump

By Victor Davis Hanson
 

Champions League Last 16

 Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) v Bayern Munich (GER) 

Sporting Lisbon (POR) v Manchester City (ENG) 

Benfica (POR) v Ajax (NED) 

Chelsea (ENG) v Lille (FRA) 

Atletico Madrid (ESP) v Manchester United (ENG) 

Villarreal (ESP) v Juventus (ITA) 

Inter Milan (ITA) v Liverpool (ENG) 

Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid (ESP)  

MEFCC information

Tickets range from Dh110 for an advance single-day pass to Dh300 for a weekend pass at the door. VIP tickets have sold out. Visit www.mefcc.com to purchase tickets in advance.

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Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
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Kat Wightman's tips on how to create zones in large spaces

 

  • Area carpets or rugs are the easiest way to segregate spaces while also unifying them.
  • Lighting can help define areas. Try pendant lighting over dining tables, and side and floor lamps in living areas.
  • Keep the colour palette the same in a room, but combine different tones and textures in different zone. A common accent colour dotted throughout the space brings it together.
  • Don’t be afraid to use furniture to break up the space. For example, if you have a sofa placed in the middle of the room, a console unit behind it will give good punctuation.
  • Use a considered collection of prints and artworks that work together to form a cohesive journey.
Updated: December 31, 2021, 6:09 AM