New Year's Eve celebrations in the UAE are legendary for their no-expense spared, colourful and perfectly synchronised fireworks shows. We have also included nearby places to watch these amazing shows from in case you miss the front-row views, because you can never underestimate a UAE resident who is set on getting a good view of the fireworks.
Check out 68 NYE parties happening in the UAE here
Note: Sale, purchase or use of fireworks is illegal in the UAE
Sharjah
1. Al Qasba
Get to Al Qasba in Sharjah for a spectacular fireworks show which is free to the public and is a perfect end to a fun day with family and friends at the park.
Location Al Khan Street, Al Qasba (Free entry)
Spots to watch from: Al Khan Corniche, Al Khan Lagoon
2. Al Majaz Waterfront
Also lighting up the Sharjah sky in the first few minutes of 2018 is a mega fireworks show lasting 10 minutes at Al Majaz Waterfront preceded by a dinner - reserve your table well in advance.
Location Al Majaz Waterfront, Corniche Street
Spots to watch from: Al Majaz Island, Al Noor Island, Corniche Street, Al Majaz Park
Abu Dhabi
3. Al Maryah Island
Visitors can celebrate with ‘The Caesar of Arabic music,’ Kadim Al Sahir and Khaleeji superstar, Balqees as they perform live in on the waterfront Promenade at Al Maryah Island. Doors open from 7pm; the celebrations will take place from 10pm – 1am and are free to attend.
Entry to the main concert area is on first-come, first-served basis and is limited to 1,500 visitors. Other guests will have access to the other areas of the Promenade, as well as Abu Dhabi Global Market Square on Al Maryah Island.
The electrifying evening will culminate in a thrilling midnight countdown by Kadim Al Saher, followed by a spectacular fireworks show.
Location Al Maryah Island (Free entry)
Spots to watch from: Abu Dhabi Mall, The Galleria, Le Meridien Abu Dhabi
4. du Forum, Yas Island
Yas Island will ring in 2018 with spectacular fireworks display at du Forum’s Winterland Carnival. The 6-minute spectacle will be free of charge to view at midnight and is sure to dazzle island visitors from far and wide.
Location Yas Island (Free entry to Winterland Carnival)
Spots to watch from: IKEA Abu Dhabi, Yas Mall, Yas Viceroy
5. Abu Dhabi Corniche
The outdoor New Year’s Eve Countdown Village at breakwater Abu Dhabi welcomes visitors of all ages to celebrate the final hours of 2017. Led by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the Countdown Village will also host a multitude of other stage performances and acts.
The much-awaited countdown will feature a spectacular laser, lights and confetti shower extravaganza as well as a memorable 15-minute firework show with dazzling pyrotechnic effects to create an unforgettable start to 2018.
Location New Year’s Eve Countdown Village at the Abu Dhabi Corniche Breakwater Cost Entry is Dh40 and free for children under 6 (From 4pm - 2am)
Dubai
6. Riverland Dubai
Riverland Dubai will be hosting a fireworks show over the picturesque canal and bridge to welcome 2018. This might be a great place to go if you want to avoid crowds at other locations.
Location Dubai Parks and Resorts (Free entry)
Spots to watch from: Outlet Village
7. Global Village
The countdown to midnight will take place seven times, each time midnight strikes in one of the seven selected countries.At 8pm, UAE time, the festivities will begin with the countdown and an intense one-minute fireworks show in sync with those in the Philippines.
At 9pm, they will herald the New Year in Thailand, at 10pm it will be in line with Bangladesh, at 10.30pm with India, at 11pm with Pakistan and 12am the UAE, with special seven minutes of the biggest fireworks of the season, and at 1am with Istanbul.
Location Global Village, Dubai (Entry fee along with New Year's Eve packages)
Spots to watch from: Arabian Ranches, Al Barari
8. Dubai Festival City
Dubai Festival City will kick celebrations off at Dubai Festival City Mall with a Guinness World Record holder attraction, IMAGINE, that will light up the sky with four fireworks displays at 9pm, 10pm, 11pm and the grand finale at midnight to welcome the New Year.
Location Dubai Festival City
9. Atlantis the Palm
Did you know Atlantis is one of the most 'instagrammed' hotels of the world? The New Year's Eve fireworks are expected to rival any other year's celebrations.
Location Palm Jumeirah
Spots to watch from: Jumeirah Beach strip, Kite Beach, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Madinat Jumeirah, along the roadside viewing points on the Palm Road
10. Burj Al Arab
Like every other year, with Burj Al Arab as the iconic centrepiece, fireworks at Madinat Jumeirah are sure to dazzle and impress visitors and viewers.
Location Madinat Jumeirah
Spots to watch from: Black palace beach, spots on Jumeirah Road, The Beach JBR
11. Club Vista Mare
All Club Vista Mare restaurants have NYE dining and entertainment packages along with a grand fireworks display on December 31.
Location Palm Jumeirah
Spots to watch from: Dubai Marina, Golden Mile, Palm Crescent
12. Qasr Al Sultan
SItuated next to Dubai Parks and Resorts and the Outlet Village, this hotel has organised a fireworks show for visitors and guests to ring in 2018.
Location Near Dubai Parks and Resorts, Jebel Ali
Ras Al Khaimah
13. Al Marjan Island
The New Year’s Eve party, which will take place on Al Marjan Island from 8pm to 3am, will be headlined by Yves Larock of the ‘Rise Up’ single, supported by the UAE’s own music legends, the electro-dance combo Hollaphonic.
The pristine beaches of Al Marjan Island – Ras Al Khaimah’s coral-shaped archipelago – will be transformed into a festival hangout with a spectacular firework display never attempted before.
Conceptualised and to be executed by Fireworks by Grucci, the celebration at Al Marjan Island will be telecast live and through social media networks.
Location Al Marjan Island
No fireworks at Burj Khalifa?
The Burj Khalifa fireworks show, has become one of the most watched spectacles on the planet. However, 2018 might be welcomed in with a record-breaking light show instead of the usual affair. Regardless of whether there are fireworks or not, NYE celebrations in Downtown Dubai is not to be missed.
Location Downtown Dubai
Spots to watch from: Business Bay, The Residences, Mohammad Bin Rashid Boulevard Road, Dubai Water Canal, Boxpark
