DECEMBER 29
Culture Club, Dubai Tennis Stadium
One of the biggest pop bands in the world, having sold more than 50 million albums and 100 million singles worldwide, are reuniting — and they have chosen Dubai as their debut gig.
Culture Club's original line-up of Mikey Craig (bass guitar), Roy Hay (guitar and keyboards), Jon Moss (drums and percussion) and flamboyant frontman Boy George (lead vocals) will perform all of their smash hits including Do You Really Want to Hurt Me, Time (Clock of the Heart), I'll Tumble 4 Ya and Karma Chameleon.
- When: Doors open at 6pm, show starts at 9pm.
- Tickets: Dh295 available at Virgin Megastore, The Irish Village Box Office and the Hard Rock Cafe, DFC.
- Visit: doneevents.com.
Ciara, Chi@TheLodge, Dubai
She's toured with Chris Brown and Akon, Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani and Jay-Z; appeared on singles with Nelly, Ludacris and Enrique Iglesias and is now coming to Dubai. Ciara, most famous for her hit single Love Sex Magic featuring Justin Timberlake, became a worldwide hit when she signed to LaFace records.
Dubbed "the First Lady of Crunk & B" by one of her producers, Lil' Jon, the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter will perform all her hits.
- When: 10pm
- Tickets: Dh150 on the door.
- Call: 04-3379470
NEW YEAR'S EVE: DECEMBER 31
Barasti, Le Meridien Mina Al Seyahi, Dubai
The bar is welcoming 2012 in beach chic style for 12 hours of partying from a live band to international DJs and entertainers. If it's cool and casual you're after then this is the place to be.
- When: 3pm-3am
- Tickets: Dh250-Dh10,000
- Call: 04-3183198
Mahiki, Jumeirah Beach Hotel
It just opened last week and this Polynesian bar-club is raring to see in 2012. The fully inclusive night includes beverages and canapes along with one of the most fun-loving dance floors this side of Honolulu. Dh1,000 with complimentary cocktail menu until 1am, canapes all night and bubbly at midnight.
- Call: 055-2160181
Burj Al Arab
Prepare for a magical dining experience and spectacular entertainment on a scale beyond your imagination. It's the perfect ending to 2011 with a bubby reception and surprise musical act, New Year's Eve dinner at your chosen venue, inclusive of a selection of beverages and bubbly at midnight, as well as a fireworks display.
- When: Reception from 6.30pm
- Tickets: Dh7,450 for adults, Dh2,500 for children from 4-11.
- Call: 04-3017400
- Email: BAAreservations@jumeirah.com
Peppermint, Dubai World Trade Centre
This man just can't keep away. Surrender to the most sublime sonic sounds as the Peppermint Experience presents the White Out Bash with Armin van Buuren. Things get warmed up with the UAE's very own maDJam and remember it's not a winter wonderland without all guests dressed in white.
- When: Door opens at 9pm.
- Tickets: Dh400, Dh600 VIP and Dh1,000 VVIP available at all Virgin Megastores.
- Call: 050-3571113 or 050-1100678
- Visit: peppermint-experience.com
Al Badia Golf Club, Dubai Festival City
It's time to thank Abba for the music with the first Middle East performance by ABBA 1974, a tribute to the Swedish popstars. Come in costume for the fancy dress competition. Free-flow beverages and a light buffet are included.
- When: Doors open at 9pm.
- Tickets: Dh950 per person or Dh6,500 for a VIP table (up to 8 guests) including free-flow beverages, sharing platters and a magnum of pink bubbly.
- Call: 04-7011127
Cirque du Soir, Fairmont Hotel
The newly-opened circus-themed club goes Charlie and the Cirque Factory. The weird and wonderful nightlife concept sees its cast of performers putting on the classic tale with a "freak-tastic twist". Expect bubbly at midnight plus lots of candy and chocolates.
- When: From 9pm
- Tickets: Dh900 for women, Dh1,200 for men and Dh1,850 for couples including premium beverages.
- Call: 04-3324900
- Email: reservations@cirquedusoirdubai.com
Nasimi, Atlantis The Palm
Sandance is back for the last instalment of the year with a night of pure dancing. Above and Beyond, Basement Jaxx (above), Roger Sanchez (above), Goldfish, Sister Bliss and Jonathan Ulysees are on the decks for New Year's Eve — and you'll be right next to some of the city's biggest fireworks.
- When: From 2pm-2am
- Tickets: Dh250-Dh450
- Call: 04-4262626
The Music Room, Majestic Hotel
With two bands, a DJ and free entry for women all night (Dh150 for men, including a drink) the new year's "Masquerade" at the city's top local music venue is a great deal. Music is funk, R&B and rock classics.
- When: 6pm to 3am
- Call 050-2484054
Novotel Hotel, Dubai World Trade Centre
Check out performances by the famous Pacha London troupe Vegas Baby alongside DJ Paul Hamilton. DJ Valmia, a house fave from club LIV, Miami and a master of vocal house, progressive and electro, will also feature.
- When: From 9pm
- Tickets: Dh599 and Dh799 for VIP available at the hotel.
- Visit: vegasbabybeats.co.uk
QE2
Step aboard the iconic QE2 liner alongside international acts including The Gypsies and Drury Lane. It's the first time the ship, launched in 1969, has been opened to the public for such an event. The QE2 black-tie gala is billed as one of the most exclusive New Year celebrations in the world.
Tickets: Dh3,000 (VIP) includes buffet dinner and unlimited drinks. VVIP Dh6,000 includes buffet dinner, unlimited drinks and access to celebrity areas.
- Call: 04-4331719
- Email: info@geventm.com
Ultra Lounge, Shangri-La, Dubai
Al fresco party at IKANDY, the hotel's open-air bar and lounge, with a new Bose sound system, neon-pink lighting and Miami beach-style interior.
- When: 7pm-3am
- Tickets: Dh300-Dh950
- Call: 04-4052703
Trilogy, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
DJ Jazzy Jeff is in town for a club classic special. Expect the big block rocking beats from years gone by from "back to the old school" right up until the "real school". It's a night of funk, soul, disco, hip-hop and house. When: From 9pm-3am
- Tickets: Dh150 for main room only and Dh700 for main room and rooftop to catch the Burj Al Arab fireworks.
- Call: 050-6245751
360 at Jumeirah Beach Hotel
Both audio tonic and MustHaveSoul are renowned for bringing the most innovative and forward thinking acts to the region for 11 months of the year. So why would New Year's Eve be any different? They both play a very unique but similar sound and interlink perfectly, which is why to ring in 2012 they join forces and bring two of their most sought after and popular guests. Jimpster of Freerange Records, UK, and Kiko Navarro, of King Street Sounds, Spain, will get support from local boys Mr Mr, Simon Reid and Tristan Bain for a night to remember. Bring in 2012 at the region's most iconic venue, touch, taste and smell the fireworks and listen to up front House music.
- When: 10pm till late.
- Tickets: Dh500 including a glass of bubbly and canapes, available at platinumlist.ae or at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel festive desk.
Allure by Cipriani, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Cosmic Disco is back at Allure but this time with a hot retro twist. We're not even sure what laser dancers, nitrogen and confetti cannons, cosmic visuals or a 12ft-giant Allure Ultra-Bot could possibly be but it's rumoured to be one of the biggest productions ever to take place at the Yas Marina night spot. The UAE's top DJs will thrash it out amid cosmic girls, giant glow stars and screens for a truly out-of-this-world introduction to 2012.
- When: 10pm till late.
- Tickets: Dh250 (Cipriani & Yotto diners get complimentary entry to Allure).
- Call: 050-5969543 or 02-6576400
- Email: Allure@cipriani.com
Al Hamra Fort and Beach Resort, Ras Al Khaimah
Welcome 2012 with a big bang and party all night long at Malibu Beach Party. Dance the night away and groove to the hottest tunes from local DJs as Al Hamra does things in style.
- When: 10pm-2am
- Tickets: Dh200, Dh999 VIP "lite", Dh1,999 VIP, Dh2,999 VIP "Karaoke Room".
- Call: 07-2446666
- Email: debi.khatri@hamrahotels.com.
