Although Burj Khalifa's New Year's Eve spectacle can be viewed miles away from Downtown Dubai, thousands of people are still expected to be within the area for the show.
It's already been announced that this year's event will attempt to set new world records, and will turn the world's highest tower into "a shining beacon of hope, happiness and harmony for 2023".
The much-awaited evening will include the typical laser light and fireworks show, as well as a water spectacle at the Dubai Fountain.
So, if you're looking to attend the big event, here's what you need to know about the evening.
Advanced bookings
Most, if not all, restaurants and cafes around the area will require advanced booking, so it's advisable to contact them ahead of the December 31 craze. The venues are likely to have more information on procedures for their respective New Year's Eve events, including parking details, as well as on the fireworks viewing.
If you are planning to watch the show from the streets of Downtown Dubai, there are no reservations, registrations or tickets. Attendance will be on first-come, first-served basis.
Transport and parking
The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard will be closed from 6pm onwards, for both public and private transport modes, so guests with hotel or restaurant reservations must arrive ahead of time.
Parking will be available at The Dubai Mall until capacity is reached. Taxis will operate normally before the road closure.
The road closure is expected to end between 1am to 2am. Cars parked at hotels, residences and restaurants within Downtown Dubai and The Dubai Mall will only be able to leave once the road is opened again.
The Dubai Mall metro station will close once capacity at the mall is reached.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard access
Five gates will be available to access the Downtown Dubai road:
- Gate 1: behind Downtown Command Centre
- Gate 2: behind Burj Vista
- Gate 3: near Emaar Square, adjacent to Boulevard Plaza Building
- Gate 4: opposite Address Boulevard
- Gate 5: opposite Address Downtown
More information is available at www.mydubainewyear.emaar.com
Scroll through the gallery below to see New Year's Eve dinner and party offers in Dubai
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
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- Joan of Arc
ABU DHABI CARD
5pm: UAE Martyrs Cup (TB) Conditions; Dh90,000; 2,200m
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 1,400m
6pm: UAE Matyrs Trophy (PA) Maiden; Dh80,000; 1,600m
6.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Apprentice Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh100,000; 1,600m
7pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Ladies World Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh125,000; 1,600m
8pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Group 1; Dh5,000,000; 1,600m
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Company%20profile
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The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
South and West: From a Notebook
Joan Didion
Fourth Estate
The specs: 2018 Jaguar F-Type Convertible
Price, base / as tested: Dh283,080 / Dh318,465
Engine: 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 295hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.2L / 100km
Mobile phone packages comparison
It
Director: Andres Muschietti
Starring: Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Lieberher, Sophia Lillis, Chosen Jacobs, Jeremy Ray Taylor
Three stars
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
FIGHT%20CARD
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
'Midnights'
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