1.560683-3302946177
UAE resdents bid a festive good-bye to the decade. Image Credit: Sankha Kar/XPRESS

Dubai: Bursting fireworks lit up the night skies over the UAE on Thursday evening, as the Emirates welcomed in the new year.

Young and old watched from the beaches, restaurants and high-rise apartments as the multicoloured sparks exploded high in the air.

Revellers in Abu Dhabi were treated to a special new year performance by starlet Rihanna. Her excited fans danced their way into 2010, and were treated to a fireworks display at the close of the show.

Restaurants and venues across Dubai were fully booked, packed to the brim with residents crowding to celebrate the beginning of a new decade, and for some the end of 2009.

1.560683-433369645
New year fireworks at Burj Al Arab in Dubai. Image Credit: Sankha Kar/XPRESS
1.560683-656362720
Spectacular fireworks display traditionally welcomes in the New Year in the UAE. Image Credit: Sankha Kar/XPRESS
1.560683-2499852732
From around 10.30pm until just after midnight, the star brought out hit after hit. Image Credit: Abdul Rahman/Gulf News
1.560683-2970383426
The UAE had waited a long, long time for her performance. Image Credit: Abdul Rahman/Gulf News
View gallery as list