Burj Khalifa takes centre stage every New Year's Eve for its world-famous, record-breaking fireworks display and laser show – and this year is no exception.
What is exceptional, though, is the prices charged by the restaurants and cafes surrounding the world's tallest building (think Dh2,500 at Tim Hortons).
However, those who don't want to break the bank – or indeed jostle with the crowds – have an additional option this year, as Emaar has announced its first-ever ticketed year-end party at Burj Park.
The event, which will afford uninterrupted views of both the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain shows, is priced at Dh150 for children between four and 12, and Dh300 for adults. This is significantly lower than booking a table at restaurant in the Dubai Mall / Burj Khalifa vicinity (more on this below).
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Fireworks and light shows have lit up Burj Khalifa for years. Photo: Ralph Larmann / Emaar -
Burj Khalifa has been the centre point for fireworks in Dubai on New Year's Eve since its opening in 2010. Photo: Emaar -
It was also lit up by fireworks during its opening ceremony on January 4, 2010. AFP -
The fireworks at Burj Khalifa are always extensive and colourful. -
New Year's Eve 2013. Pawan Singh / The National -
Dubai's spectacular New Year's Eve show attracted a record crowd in 2013. AFP Photo -
Fireworks explode from the Burj Khalifa skyscraper at Emaar Square after Dubai was named the host city for Expo 2020. Christopher Pike / The National -
People watch as Dubai celebrates the new year with a light and sound extravaganza at midnight at Burj Khalifa on January 1, 2015. Karim Sahib / AFP Photo -
Every year, the display just gets bigger and better. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National -
The world's tallest tower draws in the crowds every year, even during the pandemic, but with safety rules in place. Pawan Singh / The National -
New Year's Eve celebrations in 2018 consisted of fireworks and a light show. Victor Besa / The National -
People attend 2018 New Year's Eve celebrations in Emaar Square, Downtown Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
Ticket holders can access the venue from 4pm. There will be live entertainment, as well as over a dozen food trucks on site, with each pass inclusive of one meal and two drinks.
If cost is no bar, here are some venues with Burj Khalifa views that are currently accepting reservations for December 31.
TGI Fridays
TGI Fridays located along the Dubai Mall promenade has one of the best views of the Burj Khalifa fireworks, and for it, the American diner is charging up to Dh3,000 per person.
Aside from prime seating, the package includes a set menu with dishes such as mini cheeseburger, signature potato twisters, rib-eye steak, glazed chicken and a brownie or cheesecake for dessert.
OFK
The restaurant located in Dubai Mall's Fashion Avenue has three seating packages for New Year's Eve, all of which come with a six-course meal. Prices start at Dh1,000 per person for indoor seating, but diners can head to the terrace once the Burj Khalifa show starts.
On the menu are grilled corn salad, Pacific maki roll and cauliflower tempura for starters; citrus miso black cod, A5 Wagyu striploin and Veneto burger for mains; and tiramisu, warm chocolate cheesecake or basque cheesecake paired with wood-fired strawberry sorbet for dessert.
Sky Views Observatory
The observation deck will be transformed into a party area with live entertainment and a selection of food and drinks. Packages start at Dh1,200 per person, including one with the venue's “edge walk” experience.
Time Out Market
The sprawling food hall in Souk Al Bahar is throwing a Hall of Wonders-themed party on New Year's Eve, complete with DJs, musicians, stilt walkers, magicians and contortionists to keep the buzz going until midnight.
Tickets start at Dh1,000 per person and go up to Dh5,000 for terrace seats with a direct view of Burj Khalifa.
The ticket price is redeemable against the bites and beverages offered by the 17 food vendors, with more than 250 dishes to choose from.
Maison De Curry
Also at Souk Al Bahar, which sits across the Dubai Fountain from Dubai Mall, eclectic restaurant Maison de Curry will charge a staggering Dh7,000 per person for a seat on the lower deck.
This includes a five-course set menu, champagne and, of course, picturesque views of the fountain and Burj Khalifa.
Dish Dash
The Arabic and Mediterranean restaurant on the Dubai Mall promenade is serving a four-course set menu on December 31. A seat in the VIP area costs Dh3,000, but tables start from Dh1,500 per person. All the seats have Burj Khalifa views.
Carluccio's
Three seating options are available at the Italian restaurant, starting from Dh2,100 per person for a table inside and going up to Dh3,675 for a seat along the promenade.
The four-course menu includes dishes such as truffle burrata, potato lentil soup, ragu tagliatelle, gnocchi quatro formaggi, grilled salmon and panettone.
Social House
Diners can choose from five packages, with tickets ranging from Dh1,499 to Dh2,999 per person. Children aged four to 10 enter for half the price, and those below four dine for free.
The set menu includes dishes such as mushroom soup, margherita pizza, Wagyu robatayaki, chilli garlic prawns, fried calamari, sizzling lasagne, apple pie and tiramisu.
