• Burj Khalifa will attempt to break two world records with its fireworks and laser show at midnight on December 31, 2022. Photo: Emaar
    Burj Khalifa will attempt to break two world records with its fireworks and laser show at midnight on December 31, 2022. Photo: Emaar
  • The fireworks on Bluewaters Island will go off at 11.59pm
    The fireworks on Bluewaters Island will go off at 11.59pm
  • The Bluewaters fireworks will coincide with those at The Beach, JBR
    The Bluewaters fireworks will coincide with those at The Beach, JBR
  • Club Vista Mare on Palm Jumeirah will host fireworks at midnight for a duration of three minutes
    Club Vista Mare on Palm Jumeirah will host fireworks at midnight for a duration of three minutes
  • Catch the Atlantis, The Palm fireworks from the hotel's New Year's Eve Gala Dinner. Photo: Atlantis, the Palm
    Catch the Atlantis, The Palm fireworks from the hotel's New Year's Eve Gala Dinner. Photo: Atlantis, the Palm
  • Festival Bay will host a five-minute-long fireworks display, plus a special Imagine laser and fountain show. Photo: Festival City Mall
    Festival Bay will host a five-minute-long fireworks display, plus a special Imagine laser and fountain show. Photo: Festival City Mall
  • Global Village will put on seven fireworks displays from 8pm to 1am. Photo: Global Village
    Global Village will put on seven fireworks displays from 8pm to 1am. Photo: Global Village
  • Dubai Parks & Resorts will host two family-friendly fireworks shows, one at 7pm, the other at 9pm. Photo: Dubai Parks & Resorts
    Dubai Parks & Resorts will host two family-friendly fireworks shows, one at 7pm, the other at 9pm. Photo: Dubai Parks & Resorts
  • Al Seef will host fireworks at 11.50pm on December 31 and at 8.30pm on January 1
    Al Seef will host fireworks at 11.50pm on December 31 and at 8.30pm on January 1
  • TopGolf will host its own fireworks overlooking Dubai Marina. Photo: TopGolf
    TopGolf will host its own fireworks overlooking Dubai Marina. Photo: TopGolf

Dubai New Year's Eve road closures and metro timings


Sarah Forster
  • English
  • Arabic

Road closures will be in place from 4pm and free buses laid on in Dubai as thousands of revellers gear up for spectacular New Year's Eve celebrations.

A video released by the Roads and Transport Authority earlier this week revealed public transport timings and which major roads will be closed to help party-goers plan their evening.

Al Asayel Street, Burj Khalifa Street, Financial Centre Street Lower Deck and Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard will all be closed from 4pm.

Parts of Al Mustaqbal Street will be closed gradually from 4pm.

From 8pm, Al Sukook Street will close. One hour later, Financial Centre Street Upper Deck will also close to motorists.

Dubai's water canal elevators and pedestrian bridges will be closed in Al Safa and Business Bay areas.

The Executive Committee for Securing International and Local Events announced the fireworks displays would be in 32 locations in various areas of Dubai, to reduce overcrowding.

Getting to the Burj Khalifa

The committee identified three paths for members of the public to use to get to the Burj Khalifa area from nearby metro stations.

The first path is from Burj Khalifa station and will be divided into two parts, a section for families to the Al Jazeera Park area and the area behind the "Burj View". The second section will be for other groups and will lead to the "South Ridge", the area designated for watching fireworks.

The second path will be from Financial Centre station, where a section will be allocated for families heading to the Boulevard area, while the second section will be for other groups going to the South Edge area.

The third path will be for those coming from Business Bay station.

Burj Khalifa station and the metro bridge that connects to the Dubai Mall will be closed at 5pm on Saturday, or when the numbers exceed the capacity of the station.

The metro's green line will start operating at 5am on December 31 until midnight on January 2.

Dubai Tram will be in service from 6am on Saturday until 1am on Monday.

Free buses

To ease congestion and facilitate movement, authorities are providing 210 buses free of charge to transport people from events to nearby parking areas and metro stations.

  • Sheikh Zayed Road in the direction of the Financial Centre to take the public from Burj Khalifa metro station to Al Wasl Club, MAX Fashion metro station, and Deira City Centre.
  • Sheikh Zayed Road heading to Abu Dhabi to take riders from Burj Khalifa metro station to Al Safa metro station.
  • Financial Centre Road to the parking area of Al Wasl Club, Deira City Centre and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.
  • Burj Khalifa Street heading to Deira City Centre metro station.
  • Business Bay metro station along Sheikh Zayed Road to Deira City Centre metro station.

Emergency services

Dubai Civil Defence announced this week they had carried out numerous drills to prepare for any eventuality on New Year's Eve, and have focused attention on three main sectors, Deira, Bur Dubai, and Jebel Ali and the waterfront.

According to Ali Hassan Al Mutawa, assistant director general of Dubai Civil Defence for Fire and Rescue Affairs, numerous buildings downtown were inspected to make sure they met fire safety regulations before the New Year's Eve fireworks show.

"The Dubai Civil Defence teams carried out inspections of buildings and facilities in which events will be held to ensure that they fulfil the requirements of prevention, safety and fire protection systems," he said in a written statement.

"Most notably the teams inspected the Burj Khalifa and adjacent 68 buildings to ensure a ready safe environment for receiving celebrators."

For medical emergencies, 1,200 responders and 287 vehicles will be on duty at 30 activities in four areas.

"Our technical equipment includes ambulances, rapid responders, bicycles, boats, air ambulances in co-operation with the Dubai Police Air Wing Centre, and the supply vehicles for field support," said Mishaal Abdul Karim Julfar, executive director of the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services.

Full details of all road closures and public transport timings can be found here.

if you go

The flights

Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.

The hotel

Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.

The tour

Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg

Emergency phone numbers in the UAE

Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111

Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre

Emirates airline – 600555555

Etihad Airways – 600555666

Ambulance – 998

Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries

How The Debt Panel's advice helped readers in 2019

December 11: 'My husband died, so what happens to the Dh240,000 he owes in the UAE?'

JL, a housewife from India, wrote to us about her husband, who died earlier this month. He left behind an outstanding loan of Dh240,000 and she was hoping to pay it off with an insurance policy he had taken out. She also wanted to recover some of her husband’s end-of-service liabilities to help support her and her son.

“I have no words to thank you for helping me out,” she wrote to The Debt Panel after receiving the panellists' comments. “The advice has given me an idea of the present status of the loan and how to take it up further. I will draft a letter and send it to the email ID on the bank’s website along with the death certificate. I hope and pray to find a way out of this.”

November 26:  ‘I owe Dh100,000 because my employer has not paid me for a year’

SL, a financial services employee from India, left the UAE in June after quitting his job because his employer had not paid him since November 2018. He owes Dh103,800 on four debts and was told by the panellists he may be able to use the insolvency law to solve his issue. 

SL thanked the panellists for their efforts. "Indeed, I have some clarity on the consequence of the case and the next steps to take regarding my situation," he says. "Hopefully, I will be able to provide a positive testimony soon."

October 15: 'I lost my job and left the UAE owing Dh71,000. Can I return?'

MS, an energy sector employee from South Africa, left the UAE in August after losing his Dh12,000 job. He was struggling to meet the repayments while securing a new position in the UAE and feared he would be detained if he returned. He has now secured a new job and will return to the Emirates this month.

“The insolvency law is indeed a relief to hear,” he says. "I will not apply for insolvency at this stage. I have been able to pay something towards my loan and credit card. As it stands, I only have a one-month deficit, which I will be able to recover by the end of December." 

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  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

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While you're here
While you're here
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

Where to buy art books in the UAE

There are a number of speciality art bookshops in the UAE.

In Dubai, The Lighthouse at Dubai Design District has a wonderfully curated selection of art and design books. Alserkal Avenue runs a pop-up shop at their A4 space, and host the art-book fair Fully Booked during Art Week in March. The Third Line, also in Alserkal Avenue, has a strong book-publishing arm and sells copies at its gallery. Kinokuniya, at Dubai Mall, has some good offerings within its broad selection, and you never know what you will find at the House of Prose in Jumeirah. Finally, all of Gulf Photo Plus’s photo books are available for sale at their show. 

In Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi has a beautiful selection of catalogues and art books, and Magrudy’s – across the Emirates, but particularly at their NYU Abu Dhabi site – has a great selection in art, fiction and cultural theory.

In Sharjah, the Sharjah Art Museum sells catalogues and art books at its museum shop, and the Sharjah Art Foundation has a bookshop that offers reads on art, theory and cultural history.

Updated: December 31, 2022, 12:00 PM