Alexa, play Auld Lang Syne but after the bang, whoosh and fizz of over 38,000 tonnes of sparkling fireworks displays across Dubai dies down. This year will go out in a blaze of glory with breathtaking New Year’s Eve fireworks displays in 33 different spots across the city on December 31. Here’s a handy guide of places to catch the shimmering pyrotechnics, including free access areas!
1. Burj Khalifa
The mother of all fireworks shows – the Burj Khalifa fireworks often happen in synchronisation with the Dubai Fountain and a laser show that can be seen for miles around the city, this is unmissable but hard to get to because of the crowds. For the first time ever, Emaar has opened up a ticketed NYE fireworks event in Burj Park, so grab a spot here before the sell-out. AED 300 per person gets you unobstructed views and access to entertainment, food trucks on-site and select beverages. Buy tickets here.
You can take to the roads and streets in and around Downtown Dubai for a free view but to get up close and personal with a spot by the fountains head to the venue early. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard will be closed 6pm onwards and expect other road closures and delays as well.
2. Dubai Parks and Resorts
A double whammy, of the good kind, awaits spectators at this theme park cluster – a spectacular laser show will be followed by New Year’s Eve fireworks on December 31. The laser show will kick off twice at 7pm and 9pm in the Riverland section of the park. At midnight, a sparkling fireworks show will burst across the sky. AED 15 per person gets you entry into Riverland and is fully redeemable against dining and attractions.
3. Al Seef
Steep yourself in some history as you welcome the future this New Year’s Eve. The heritage-inspired destination in Bur Dubai offers stunning views of the fireworks as they pop and burst, lighting up the Creek’s waters. Entrance to Al Seef is free. More info here.
4. Global Village
The beloved theme park is going the whole nine yards to ring in 2024 with not one, but 7 fireworks shows; each to mark the start of 2024 in 7 different countries and time zones around the world. What a lovely way to celebrate the UAE’s rich and diverse expat population! The first round of fireworks will go off at 8pm (UAE time) to coincide with midnight in the Philippines.
The next 6 sets of fireworks will be at 9pm for Thailand, 10pm for Bangladesh, 10:30pm for India, 11pm for Pakistan, 12am for UAE and 1am for when Turkey welcomes the New Year. Each country’s New Year celebration will also have its own dedicated countdown. Entry to Global Village costs AED 22.5 per person.
5. Dubai Festival City Mall
While the waterfront mall’s IMAGINE light and sound show is always a crowd-puller, the entertainment quotient goes up a notch here on NYE with live performances by Lebanese singer Rola Kadri and Emirato musician Arqam Al Abri, F&B options around the waterfront promenade area and an NYE countdown until the clock strikes 12. Then, a dazzling display of fireworks will light up the sky. It’s a ticketed event this year and costs AED 100 per adult and AED 50 per child. Get tickets here.
6. Bluewaters Island
Stepping into the future and a brand new year can’t get any more futuristic than a drone show. And a fireworks show after is just the cherry on the cake. On December 31, you can catch the daily DSF drone light show at Bluewaters followed by a marvellous show of DSF fireworks against the Ain Dubai. The pyrotechnics will be extra special for NYE.
7. The Beach, JBR
The fireworks here will be joined by a synchronised drone show on December 31 at 11:59pm. Restaurants and outdoor terraces at the Pavilion are great spots to catch the shows from. If you get there early, you can always cop a spot at the beach.
8. Hatta
Make a weekend of it and drive out to the scenic town on the outskirts of Dubai. Hatta is hosting the NYE leg of the DSF Fireworks Nights and it’s expected to be nothing short of spectacular. Fireworks will explode above the mountains all weekend long with a special New Year’s Eve extravaganza at 11:59 pm against the backdrop of the iconic Hatta sign on December 31.
9. Club Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah
Amazing parties, live DJs and even more amazing food await at the beachfront locations on this Palm Jumeirah destination. A special fireworks show will go off at 12am. For clear views, book at one of their restaurants. Entry to Club Vista Mare is only accessible to guests dining at restaurants in the area and residents.
10. Town Square by Nashma
Live in one of the communities out by Al Qudra? Town Square by Nashma saves you the trouble of dealing with traffic to hike out all the way to Dubai proper with their own NYE 2023 fireworks and a block party of sorts. From 6pm to 12:30am, spectators will be mesmerised by carnival games, dance acts, live DJs, parades, acrobatics, streetside food stalls, bouncy houses for kids and a countdown to the fireworks at 12am. Tokens to the event can be purchased on site. Find details here
11-12. Atlantis The Palm & Atlantis The Royal
With plenty of high-end restaurants, including Michelin-star Ossiano and clubs like Ling Ling, the Atlantis hotels are popping with parties and dinners on NYE 2023. However, the show-stopper is a performance by English singer Sting and a 30-piece live band and spellbinding fireworks as part of a NYE Gala Dinner jointly hosted by Atlantis The Palm and Atlantis The Royal. Get tickets here.
If the eye-watering starting price for this dinner of AED 6,500 is a lot to fork out, we’ve got a hack. a popular spot to witness the fireworks at this iconic destination is the boardwalk along Crescent Rd on Palm Jumeirah. It’s absolutely free but parking’s hard to come by so take a taxi.
13. Burj Al Arab
The best vantage point to catch the exploding around Burj Al Arab for free is Kite Beach. A few metres down the road from the 7-star hotel, the free beach is a popular tourist destination. Head out to Kite Beach earlier in the day to catch the final sunset of 2023 and stick around, maybe with a picnic, to watch the fireworks.
14. Dubai Frame, Zabeel Park
An affordable entry price of AED 5 to Zabeel Park gives you front-row seats to the stellar fireworks that go off above the Dubai Frame. Or else, make sure you’re out on the streets in and around Zabeel Park at 11:45. Traffic comes to a standstill here, mind you, as most of Karama and Bur Dubai hit the pavements to watch the fireworks.
15. Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai, Pearl Jumeira
Located on Pearl Jumeirah island, this world-class beach club’s Dubai outpost is hosting a themed- NYE gala dinner called Go for Gold. Guests can expect glittering fireworks, live music and entertainment, and an extravagant buffet on December 31. From 8pm till late. Packages start from AED 1,700 per person. Call 04 376 6290 for booking.
16. Emirates Golf Club, Jumeirah Golf Estates
It’s going to be a Thriller of an NYE show on the lush lawns one of the world’s most popular golf clubs. A Gala Dinner on December 31 from 8pm to 1am will include entertainment by Michael Jackson and Tina Turner tribute acts followed by a DJ as the countdown for New Year’s begins. This soiree ends with a magical fireworks display. Find details here. Or dine at one of the many bars and restaurants in Emirates Golf Club, including Top Golf, Jones the Grocer and Spike Bar for a spectacular view.
17. Jumeirah Golf Estates
There’s a New Year’s Eve Gala out on the Palm Court Lawn of this venue on December 31. From 7pm to 2am you can enjoy dinner, an ABBA tribute act and a live fireworks show. Get tickets here.
18 . Jumeirah Bay Island
Home to the opulent Bulgari Resort Dubai, this seahorse-shaped island off the coast of Jumeirah will host a riveting fireworks display on December 31.
19. Dubai Design District
The trendy neighbourhood known for Sole DXB and high-end fashion stores and glitzy restaurants will also set of New Year’s Eve fireworks this year.