UAE NYE 2026: Ras Al Khaimah fireworks guide - road closures, locations, parking and travel tips

Dubai: The UAE goes all out for New Year’s Eve every year and Ras Al Khaimah is no exception.

After setting two Guinness World Records last year with its drone and fireworks display, Ras Al Khaimah is preparing to captivate the world once again. This year’s New Year’s Eve celebrations are set to be the emirate’s most spectacular to date, with organisers aiming to launch the largest single firework ever in an attempt to set another Guinness World Records title.

If you are planning to watch Ras Al Khaimah’s record-breaking fireworks this New Year’s Eve, here is everything you need to know - from show timings and viewing spots to parking, transport and safety rules.

A 15-minute fireworks and drone spectacle across 6km

Ras Al Khaimah’s main New Year’s Eve show will run for 15 minutes and feature one of the largest fireworks displays in the world, stretching across 6 km from Al Marjan Island to Al Hamra.

The night sky will be brought to life by more than 2,300 drones, including pyro drones and laser drones, creating large-scale aerial formations. As the clock strikes midnight, the show will culminate in the launch of the largest single firework ever attempted.

Fireworks timings and locations across Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah’s New Year’s Eve programme includes multiple fireworks displays, giving residents and visitors several opportunities to enjoy the celebrations.

Early evening fireworks at Corniche Al Qawasim

• Time: 8pm

• Location: Corniche Al Qawasim

This earlier show is ideal for families and those who prefer to celebrate ahead of the midnight rush.

Main midnight fireworks at Al Marjan Island and Al Hamra

• Time: Midnight

• Location: Al Marjan Island and Al Hamra Bay

This is the emirate’s signature New Year’s Eve show, combining advanced pyrotechnics with large-scale drone formations.

City centre fireworks near Julphar Towers

• Time: 8pm

• Location: Opposite Julphar Towers

These fireworks can be viewed from Manar Mall and the Ras Al Khaimah Corniche, offering a central option for residents.

Transport and parking rules you must know

All vehicles entering event areas after 2pm on December 31 must have a valid registration pass.

Visitors staying at hotels or dining at restaurants on Al Marjan Island will receive a registration link directly from their venue to complete the process.

Free parking details and how to register

Parking is free for everyone, but vehicle registration is mandatory to access parking zones.

To register your vehicle, visit the official RAK New Year’s Eve website and complete the online form –www.raknye.com/registration-form. You will need to provide:

• Personal details

• Mobile number

• Vehicle details

Once registered, you will receive parking details and arrival instructions via WhatsApp and email.

Official parking locations and capacity

Fireworks will be visible from designated parking areas. Walking from parking zones to the beach is not allowed, visitors must remain within marked areas.

• Yanas Parking: 7,000 spaces

• Jais Parking: 2,800 spaces

• Dhaya Parking: 4,500 spaces

• Free public parking at Exit 122: 55,000 spaces

Best places to watch the fireworks

The fireworks can be viewed from:

• All areas of Al Marjan Island

• Jais and Yanas parking zones

For visitors parking at Exit 122, free shuttle buses will operate throughout the evening, transporting guests to the RAK New Year’s Eve Festival site.

Road closures, traffic restrictions and arrival advice

Ras Al Khaimah Police will deploy over 70 traffic patrols to manage traffic and ensure public safety in high-traffic and tourist areas.

Road closures

• All roads leading to the main venue will close from 8pm on 31 December

• Visitors should follow official signage and on-site staff instructions

Recommended arrival time

• Island access is busiest between 5pm and 7pm

• To avoid congestion, visitors are advised to arrive earlier in the afternoon

Entrance and exit plan for RAK NYE fireworks

Entrance plan

Access to the parking areas will be managed in three stages.

Stage 1

Vehicles arriving from Ras Al Khaimah via the Emirates Roundabout must use E11 to access the celebration area and Jais parking.

Vehicles heading to Yanas Parking, Dhaya Parking, or Al Marjan Island must take the second exit onto E311, continue to Exit 119, and then proceed via Al Shuhada Road to reach the designated parking areas.

Residents of Al Marjan Island and hotel reservation holders must follow the approved access routes and present a valid QR code linked to their car registration to gain entry.

Stage 2

From 8pm, the Dolphin Roundabout on E11 and the Acacia Hotel Roundabout on Al Shuhada Road will be closed.

All vehicles heading to the celebration area must proceed to the designated parking area at Exit 122. Free shuttle buses will be provided to transport attendees from the parking areas to the celebration site.

After 8pm, access will be strictly limited to Al Marjan Island residents and hotel reservation holders, subject to presentation of a valid QR code.

Stage 3

The Emirates Roundabout on E11 and the Acacia Roundabout will be fully closed. All vehicles approaching the Emirates Roundabout will be diverted left onto E311. Traffic approaching the Acacia Roundabout will be diverted to Al Samil Street to access the Exit 122 parking area.

Exit plan (after the event)

Upon conclusion of the event, all vehicles must exit using the routes that directly correspond to their parking locations.

• Vehicles exiting Al Marjan Island must turn right and proceed towards roads leading to Umm Al Quwain (UAQ).

• Vehicles parked at Yanas Parking must exit via Al Shuhada Road and continue onto E311.

• Vehicles parked at Dhaya Parking must use roads leading through the industrial area, connecting to Al Shuhada Road and then onto E311.

• Vehicles parked at Jais Parking must exit via E11.

• Vehicles parked at Exit 122 must use Al Samil Road towards Ras Al Khaimah, or alternatively use Exit 122 to access E311.

This story was published on December 26 and has been updated since.