Yas Bay is one of the most popular places to watch the pyrotechnics from every New Year's Eve. Victor Besa / The National
Yas Bay is one of the most popular places to watch the pyrotechnics from every New Year's Eve. Victor Besa / The National
Yas Bay is one of the most popular places to watch the pyrotechnics from every New Year's Eve. Victor Besa / The National
Yas Bay is one of the most popular places to watch the pyrotechnics from every New Year's Eve. Victor Besa / The National

Where to watch New Year’s Eve 2022 fireworks in Abu Dhabi


Evelyn Lau
  • English
  • Arabic

It's almost time to ring in the New Year.

There are plenty of places in Abu Dhabi to ring in 2023, however, if you want to see fireworks at midnight (or even three hours before), here are the areas of the city putting on displays.

Al Maryah Island

Al Maryah Island will have a 10-minute fireworks display for New Year’s, which can be viewed from its promenade. There are plenty of restaurants at The Galleria, Four Seasons and Rosewood hotels to book for a prime view of the light spectacle.

Yas Island

There will be two fireworks shows on Yas Island for New Year's Eve. Photo: Yas Island
There will be two fireworks shows on Yas Island for New Year's Eve. Photo: Yas Island

Yas Island will host two fireworks shows: the traditional one at midnight and an earlier one at 9pm, which will allow families with younger children to see the light spectacle and still make an early bedtime.

Visitors can head to either Yas Marina or Yas Bay for a view of the displays.

Abu Dhabi Corniche

Continuing a long tradition, visitors can enjoy the light show on the Abu Dhabi Corniche that stretches 8km along the waterfront. There are also restaurants at Nation Towers offering ideal views of the spectacle. Emirates Palace also has a splendid view of the fireworks.

Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba

The Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba will have a 40-minute firework display. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba will have a 40-minute firework display. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba will host another 40 minutes of fireworks as it tries to break its own Guinness World Records for duration, volume and formation. This includes the largest firework display and a light show with more than 3,000 drones.

Saadiyat Island

Saadiyat Beach Club will host a New Year’s Eve dinner from 7.30pm and a New Year’s Eve after-party from 11pm to celebrate. Those who make a reservation will enjoy a prime viewing spot of the midnight fireworks.

Sun jukebox

Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)

This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.

Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)

The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.

Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)

Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.

Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)

Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.

Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)

An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.

Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)

Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.

Updated: June 23, 2023, 3:58 PM