New Year's Eve 2026: Fireworks, traffic and weather updates across the UAE

From six kilometres of coastline to thousands of drones lighting up the sky, this is how Ras Al Khaimah prepares for New Year’s Eve.

A behind-the-scenes look at the months of planning, precision and creativity leading up to the midnight countdown.

Crowds are beginning to gather along Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard hours ahead of the Burj Khalifa fireworks, with visitors arriving early to secure viewing spots and soak in the New Year’s Eve atmosphere.

Security personnel are being deployed to key areas in Downtown Dubai ahead of the New Year celebrations.

Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) will be closed to all private vehicles and designated an exclusive pedestrian zone from 4pm today to accommodate New Year’s Eve crowds.

Only official taxis will be permitted on King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street throughout the celebrations. The restrictions will tighten further between 11pm and 1am, when e-hail services and limousines will also be barred from the main JBR thoroughfare. Meanwhile, access to Bluewaters Island will be monitored in real-time and blocked by roadblocks as soon as the area reaches full capacity.

Public bus routes from Al Quoz Industrial Area, Oud Al Muteena, and Jebel Ali Industrial Area to the Burj Khalifa district have been suspended today as part of the RTA’s New Year’s Eve traffic plan.

The authority has directed passengers from these hubs to use the Dubai Metro. The measure aims to reduce vehicular density in Downtown Dubai.

Watching the Burj Khalifa New Year’s Eve fireworks up close does not have to mean spending Dh2,000 to Dh20,000 on a restaurant table in Downtown Dubai. While ticketed venues such as Burj Park offer premium views, there are also official free public viewing areas where visitors can enjoy the celebrations without paying an entry fee.

Here is everything you need to know about where to watch, how to get there, road closures, metro advice and alternative viewing spots.

Residents and visitors in Dubai will be able to ring in the New Year from the water as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced its dedicated fireworks viewing cruises for December 31.

The Dubai Ferry will operate special routes to provide passengers with a vantage point for the city’s synchronised displays. According to the RTA, vessels are scheduled to depart at 10pm on New Year’s Eve, returning to dock at 1am on January 1, 2026.

The service will cover several of the city’s most popular coastal areas, with routes planned around Dubai Marina Mall, Al Ghubaiba, and Bluewaters Island.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will implement phased road closures in the Burj Khalifa district on New Year’s Eve.

Planning to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Dubai? Check out the fireworks shows locations across Dubai, and choose the destination that suits you best. The map offers residents and visitors a clear guide to enjoy the celebrations safely while planning their movement across the city.

RTA have issued a set of crowd management guidelines for commuters as the nation prepares for New Year’s Eve celebrations.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is urging the public to follow directional signage and cooperate with operational teams stationed across the transport network to ensure safety during one of the busiest nights of the year.

With 48 firework displays planned across 40 locations, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has unveiled a massive traffic and transport master plan to ensure smooth traffic flow and ample parking.

To manage the 800,000 revellers heading to Downtown Dubai alone, a series of phased road closures will begin as early as 4:00 pm on December 31. From a 43-hour non-stop Metro service to over 20,000 designated parking spaces and free shuttle buses, here is the essential RTA guide to navigating the emirate’s biggest night of the year.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced its full readiness to manage the city’s traffic flow and transport networks for the 2026 New Year’s Eve celebrations, issuing an urgent recommendation for revellers to abandon private cars in favour of public transport.

Scattered rainfall is expected to continue affecting several parts of the UAE as the country heads into New Year’s Eve, bringing cooler temperatures, strong winds and hazardous sea conditions, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

The UAE is set to ring in 2026 in spectacular fashion, with a lineup of record-breaking fireworks, drone shows, and never-before-seen pyrotechnic feats. From some of the world’s longest fireworks displays to massive drone formations, the nation is preparing to light up the skies on New Year’s Eve.

With countdown approaching, anticipation is building as residents prepare to welcome 2026.