Alexa, play Auld Lang Syne but after the bang, whoosh and fizz of over hundreds of sparkling fireworks across Dubai dies down. This year will go out in a blaze of glory with breathtaking New Year’s Eve fireworks displays in 16 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. This is the second year Emaar has opened up a ticketed NYE fireworks event in Burj Park, so grab a spot here before they sell out. Tickets include unobstructed views and entertainment access, and AED 60 voucher per ticket to spend on food trucks on-site.
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.
🎟️: AED 580 per adult and AED 370 per child, get tickets here
⏰: 5pm onwards public viewing areas open
📍: Burj Park, Downtown Dubai
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. From 11pm, a sparkling fireworks show will burst across the sky until midnight.
🎟️: AED 25 per person gets you entry into Riverland
⏰: 11pm-12pm
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 2025 with not one, but 7 fireworks shows; each to mark the start of 2025 in 7 different countries and time zones around the world. What a lovely way to celebrate the UAE’s rich and diverse expat population! Entry tickets include access to main DJ show, live entertainment acts, roaming performers and the fireworks.
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.
🎟️: AED 30 per person
⏰: 9pm, 10pm, 10:30pm, 11pm, 12am and 1am
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 a live concert by a renowned singer and band (TBC), 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 and includes a wristband to access all areas easily and party favours and giveaways.
🎟️: AED 150 per adult and AED 90 per child, get tickets here
⏰: 8pm doors open, 9pm event starts
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 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 2024 fireworks and a block party of sorts. Spectators will be mesmerised by carnival games, roaming acts, live DJs, parades, photobooths, streetside food stalls, workshops and bouncy houses for kids, and a countdown to the fireworks at 12am.
🎟️: Tokens to the event can be purchased on site, more info here
⏰: 6pm-12pm
11. Atlantis The Palm
With plenty of high-end restaurants, including Michelin-star Ossiano the Atlantis The Palm is popping with parties and dinners on NYE 2024. However, the show-stopper is a performance by Lionel Richie and a 30-piece live band and spellbinding fireworks as part of the annual NYE Under The Stars Gala Dinner. Get tickets here.
If the eye-watering starting price for this dinner of AED 4,500 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.
12. Burj Al Arab/Madinat Jumeirah
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 2024 and stick around, maybe with a picnic, to watch the fireworks.
13. Dubai Frame, Zabeel Park
Want to watch the Dubai Frame fireworks from a dance floor at the base of the landmark? There’s an Under The Stars Desi NYE party happening at the Zabeel Park Amphitheatre, Gate No 3. Ticket prices start at AED 25 per person. More info here. Guests will have access to food stalls, huge dance floor and live DJ spinning tunes
For free views of fireworks around Dubai Frame, make sure you’re out on the streets in and around Zabeel Park at 11:45pm. Traffic comes to a standstill here, mind you, as most of Karama and Bur Dubai hit the pavements to watch the fireworks.
14. 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 Disco Dreams. Guests can expect glittering New Year’s Eve fireworks, live music and entertainment, and an extravagant buffet on December 31.
🎟️: AED 2,700 per person for NYE packages
⏰: 8pm till late
📞: Call 04 376 6290 for booking or visit the website
15. Emirates Golf Club, Jumeirah Golf Estates
It’s going to be a dazzling 24K Magic NYE gala on the lush lawns one of the world’s most popular golf clubs. It includes entertainment by Pink, Bruno Mars, George Michale and Robbie Williams tribute acts followed by the resident DJ’s tunes as the countdown for New Year’s begins. This soiree ends with a magical fireworks display. 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.
🎟️: AED 1,275 per person; AED 450 for kids aged 4 to 12 years
⏰: 8pm-1am
📞: Call 04 417 9999 or book here
16. Jumeirah Golf Estates
There’s a Rock n Roll NYE Gala out on the Palm Tree Courtyard of this venue on December 31. This lavish black-tie dinner will have free-flowing beverages, tribute acts performing the hits of British bands Police and Oasis, a DJ and a colourful New Year’s Eve fireworks scattering above lush green lawns. Book here
🎟️: AED 965 per adult and AED 365 per child
⏰: 7pm onwards