UAE celebrates New Year with fireworks and world records

Marathon 13 hours of celebrations at Expo 2020 as Dubai unites globe in welcoming New Year

Fireworks illuminate the sky at Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, during New Year's 2022 celebrations in Dubai. EPA

Fireworks explode to celebrate the New Year. Reuters

Fireworks fly into the air at Burj Khalifa. Reuters

The sky is illuminated to celebrate the New Year. Reuters

Fireworks explode to celebrate the New Year. Reuters

People wait for the New Year's Eve fireworks show at Burj Khalifa in Dubai. AFP

Robbie Williams performs at the New Year's Eve gala dinner at Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Performers at the New Year's Eve gala dinner at Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Performers at the New Year's Eve gala dinner at Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A band plays during New Year celebrations in front of the Australian pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP

Fireworks illuminate the skies near Burj Al Arab in Dubai. Photo: The Government of Dubai Media Office

Burj Al Arab was the site of an eight-minute fireworks display. Photo: Burj Al Arab

Fireworks erupt in front of Ain Dubai. AFP

New Year’s fireworks at Ain Dubai. AFP

Fireworks go off at midnight at the New Year's Eve gala dinner at Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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

Fireworks begin at Expo 2020 Dubai. AFP

Visitors enjoy a fireworks display at Expo 2020. AFP

A spectacular night of fireworks brought an end to 2021 and welcomed the New Year in style across the UAE.

No other nation does New Year's celebrations quite like the UAE, with Dubai heralding 2022 with the usual night of colour and noise, as fireworks and a light show dazzled onlookers in Downtown Dubai, where Burj Khalifa took centre stage at the stroke of midnight.

We are lucky to be in Dubai as we get to party twice in one night

Kingkade Niyomsen

Pyrotechnic displays were triggered across the emirate, from Global Village to La Mer, Al Seef and Burj Al Arab and all the way to Bluewaters Island.

Those on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island were treated to two displays at 9pm and again at midnight, with another fantastic display launched at the Corniche as the clock struck 12.

Al Maryah Island and Saadiyat Beach Club also joined the party with spectacular displays of their own.

Sheikh Zayed Festival's New Year's Eve celebrations in Abu Dhabi saw a 40-minute fireworks display that set records for volume, duration and form.

A giant drone show that lit up the skies of Al Wathba included 2,022 drones that formed a portrait of Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father.

It was a special night in Ras Al Khaimah, where two world records were set during an astonishing 12-minute display.

The two records were for the most remote-operated multirotor and drone-launching fireworks, and the highest altitude multirotor and drone firework display.

At midnight at Expo 2020, a huge glittering ball descended from the roof of Al Wasl Plaza, accompanied by live DJ sets from Dimitri Vegas and Armin Van Buuren.

Pockets of noise and celebrations scattered across Expo 2020 could be heard throughout the day as pavilions rang in the New Year in unison with their home nations.

The party started in the South Pacific exhibitions, with New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga being the first to enter 2022 at 3pm.

The Southern Hemisphere followed, with an explosion of silver ticker tape and golden balloons spelling out 2022 outside the pavilions.

New Year's Eve celebrations in Abu Dhabi - in pictures

Spectacular fireworks display at the stroke of midnight ring in the New Year 2022 on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Fireworks display on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

A drone display shows Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, at Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A drone display shows President Sheikh Khalifa at Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A drone display shows Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, at Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A drone display shows Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, at Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A drone display at Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

A drone display wishes visitors a Happy New Year at Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Visitors enjoy the evening at Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, on New Year's Eve. Victor Besa / The National

Visitors enjoy the evening at Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival. Victor Besa / The National

Crowds converge at Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Al Wathba. Victor Besa / The National

Visitors view a light display at Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival. Victor Besa / The National

Visitors stroll through a light exhibit at Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival. Victor Besa / The National

A 40-minute fireworks display at Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

The Solomon Islands was one of the first nations to celebrate the New Year at 5pm.

“It was very strange celebrating the New Year on the other side of the planet,” said Dennis Marita, director of the Solomon Islands pavilion.

“Being away from family is tough, of course. I have a new granddaughter and four children.

“We usually have a barbecue with family and friends. At midnight, there is a lot of noise, there are no fireworks, as they are expensive, but we have lots of fun.

“There are different ways to celebrate — some have fun, others play jokes on each other, like throw mud and water about.

“It is a lot of fun and we all try to get together with our families.”

Dennis Marita from the Solomon Islands, one of the first nations to celebrate 2022 at 5pm in Dubai. Nicholas Webster / The National

Celebrating New Year's at Expo 2020 was the chance of a lifetime for many, with parties and special events planned until the early hours of January 1.

But not all pavilions participated in the celebrations, with the UK exhibition being one of several to close early, shutting its doors at 8pm.

Crowds were substantially thinner than National Day only four weeks earlier, possibly due to rising cases of Covid-19 and the threat of strong weather.

Parts of Dubai had been hit by torrential downpours earlier in the day.

Those who did attend were offered free access to Expo 2020 on New Year’s Day — a public holiday in the UAE.

As the clock chimed 9pm, it was Thailand's turn to join in the festivities, as Bangkok is three hours ahead of the UAE.

Kingkade Niyomsen from Bangkok said the celebration was extra special and would leave a lasting memory.

“We are lucky to be in Dubai as we get to party twice in one night,” said Ms Niyomsen, who celebrated outside the Thailand pavilion where a countdown was beamed on a big screen.

“We are far from home, but being in Dubai at this time has made it feel special.

“It has been a great atmosphere here all day and we will try to stay up to celebrate as many New Years as possible. We only get to do this once.”

Nations celebrating placed gold 2022 balloons outside their pavilions. Nicholas Webster / The National

Drummers took to the stage at the Thailand pavilion as the countdown towards 2022 began, followed by a live performance of traditional Thai dancers dressed as dragons.

Kasititorn Pooparadai, director of the Thailand pavilion, said special attention had been paid to the celebrations.

“The show we have put on was extra special to celebrate the New Year,” she said.

“It is difficult being away from our families, but I spoke with my family earlier today to wish them well before it got too late in Thailand.

“Usually, in the days before Covid, New Year is very special in Bangkok — particularly for young people.

“Everyone gets together and it is a big party, with fireworks and a family meal — also, it is a great time to get us all together, but not this year.

“We can only hope 2022 is a better year for everyone.”

New Year's Eve celebrations around the world - in pictures

Fireworks explode over Copacabana Beach during New Year's celebrations in Rio de Janeiro. AP

People enjoy New Year's Eve celebrations at Times Square in New York City. AFP

Masked revellers enjoy New Year's Eve celebrations in Times Square, New York City. Reuters

People gather to watch fireworks during New Year celebrations in the coastal city of Vina del Mar, Chile. Reuters

Clubbers party on New Year's Eve in Lausanne, Switzerland. EPA

Fireworks explode above Times Square in New York. Reuters

Revellers enjoy fireworks and celebrate the New Year on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. Getty

The New Year's Eve Ball touches down in New York. AFP

'Sushi', portrayed by female impersonator Gary Marion, hangs in a giant replica of a woman's red high-heeled shoe over Duval Street in Key West, Florida. The Red Shoe Drop is a 24-year-old New Year's Eve tradition. AP

Fireworks explode over the UAP Old Mutual Tower during New Year's Eve celebrations in Nairobi, Kenya. Reuters

General view of the New Year's Eve TV show at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Reuters

Croats celebrate New Year's Eve in Zagreb's main square. Reuters

Fireworks explode in the sky over the Kremlin and St. Basil’s Cathedral during New Year's celebrations in Moscow. Reuters

People ring in the new year in Madrid. Reuters

People attend New Year celebrations on the Champs-Elysees after a traditional light show and firework display were cancelled owing to the spread of the coronavirus. Reuters

Fireworks explode over the Alexander Nevski Cathedral during New Year's celebrations in Sofia, Bulgaria. Reuters

Fireworks light up the night sky over the Sydney Opera House during New Year's celebrations in Sydney. Getty

A lightshow illuminates the Sky Tower and Auckland Harbour Bridge during New Year's celebrations in Auckland, New Zealand. Getty

Fireworks and light effects illuminate the night sky from the Taipei 101 skyscraper during New Year's celebrations in Taiwan. EPA

Beams of light are projected from the 123-storey Lotte World Tower during a countdown to the New Year in Seoul, South Korea. AFP

People watch a New Year's Eve concert in Hong Kong. AP

A child blows a trumpet at Eastwood Mall in Quezon City, Philippines. Reuters

People visit Kanda Myojin Shrine to offer New Year prayers in Tokyo. AFP

People wearing masks attend a New Year's countdown at an amusement park in Beijing. AFP

A floor decoration welcomes 2022 at Wuhan International Plaza in Wuhan, Hubei province, central China. Getty

New Year’s Eve fireworks erupt over the Chao Praya River in Bangkok. AFP

People chat with a person dressed as Santa Claus in the centre of Tbilisi, Georgia. EPA

Crowds of people celebrate the New Year in Kiev, Ukraine. AP

A man swings a homemade sparkler after sunset in Gaza city. AFP

A carriage drives through an illuminated street in the city centre of Vienna, Austria. AFP

A couple takes a selfie picture along the Champs-Elysees on New Year's Eve. AFP

Pope Francis celebrates New Year's Eve vespers Mass in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. AP

A laser display is seen above the Millennium Bridge with St Paul's Cathedral behind, an alternative to London's usual New Year's fireworks display. AFP

Teddy, a 12-year-old miniature poodle, prepares for New Year's celebrations in Times Square, New York City. Reuters