New Year's Eve fireworks at Burj Khalifa Video Credit:

As the world bids farewell to a tumultuous 2020 and gets ready to welcome the new year, we bring you updates from around the world on the festivities




Watch: The magnificent laser display at Burj Khalifa 



Fireworks and laser displays in Dubai, Sharjah



Fireworks in Sharjah

Shajrah sky is lit up with spectacular New Year 2021 fireworks at Al Majaz Waterfront on Buheirah Corniche. Photo: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
Shajrah sky is lit up with spectacular New Year 2021 fireworks at Al Majaz Waterfront on Buheirah Corniche. Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News


It was a celebration of togetherness, community remembrance and a powerful tribute to the UAE frontliners as Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, lit up Dubai skies with an amazing fireworks and laser show to usher in the New Year.

Before the main event, flags of various countries were displayed on Burj Khalifa. Japan and South Korea came first as they celebrated their New Year at 7pm (UAE time), followed by China, the Philippines and Singapore at 8pm; while Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia came at 9pm. India’s flag was displayed at 10.30pm as well as Sri Lanka’s flag. Pakistan colours, and the flags of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan were showcased at 11pm.

The flags of UK, Ireland, and Senegal will be displayed at 4am while the colors of Brazil, Canada, USA, Chile, Panama, Costa Rica and Mexico will be showcased at 5am.

Fireworks facts and figures

247 firing positions around Burj Khalifa

1,235 firing directions to create an elegant lace of pyrotechnics designs

11,693 firing orders, following orders at a frequency of thousandth of a second, synchronised with GPS clock, linked by optical fiber and 6,500 metres of vertical cables

Lights and laser show listicles

100 outdoor frame moving lights were installed, in addition to 10 RGB 30W lasers on the facade of Burj Khalifa

25km of cable used, including data and power cabling inside and outside the tower plus front of house control point

120 crew from over 15 countries were part of the production team



NYE Burj Khalifa fireworks
Image Credit: Screengrab


Twenty minutes into the highly anticipated Burj Khalifa fireworks and laser show, people at Dubai Mall promenade are taking their positions, occupying the square marks designated for each individual as part of the health and precautionary measures. According to sources, Burj Khalifa pyrotechnics and laser show will last 6 minutes and 50 seconds.

Stay tuned and bring out your trumpets to greet the New Year!



Motorists heading towards Buheirah Corniche in Sharjah to watch New Year 2021 fireworks at Al Majaz Waterfront.
Motorists heading towards Buheirah Corniche in Sharjah to watch New Year 2021 fireworks at Al Majaz Waterfront. Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News


Burj Khalifa fireworks is expected to last 6 mins and 50 seconds.





Sheikh Hamdan wishes Happy New Year



Pakistan welcomes New Year

Pakistani flag being displayed on Burj Khalifa.

NYE Pakistan
Pakistani flag on display at Burj Khalifa Image Credit: Gulf News


The long wait for the fireworks display



Lt General Abdullah Al Merri, Commander-in-Chief at Dubai Police checking operations at the command room of Burj Khalifa area.

The long wait for the fireworks display



Times Square barricaded, quiet for NYE

New York City's Times Square was barricaded on Thursday, with only a handful of invited guests, including health care workers and others from the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, allowed in to watch the New Year's Eve ball drop in person, reports Reuters.

Everyone else should stay home and watch the pared-down festivities on television, Mayor Bill de Blasio said, with scores of events around the United States similarly curtailed or moved online.

Tens of thousands of people usually fill the blocks around Times Square, standing for hours in the cold at the focal point of U.S. New Year's Eve celebrations, waiting for a crystal ball to slowly descend in the year's final seconds.

People pose for photographs while wearing protective masks during the coronavirus pandemic in Times Square Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020, in New York.
People pose for photographs while wearing protective masks during the coronavirus pandemic in Times Square Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020, in New York. Image Credit: AP




India ushers in New Year







Tribute to COVID-19 frontliners

Since 2010, the theme for the New Year’s Eve has always been kept a secret. This year, however, there are speculations that the theme would revolve around togetherness, community celebration and tribute to COVID-19 frontliners.

Emaar said up to 50,000 people from around the world were expected to join on Zoom calls to witness the New Year’s Eve celebrations that was also streamed live on www.mydubainewyear.com. Netizens were also given the opportunity to share their New Year wishes on the world’s tallest building by using the hashtag #BurjWishes2021.

Tribute to UAE friends

Before the main event, flags of various countries were displayed on Burj Khalifa. Japan and South Korea came first as they celebrated their New Year at 7pm (UAE time), followed by China, the Philippines and Singapore at 8pm while Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia came at 9pm. India’s flag will be displayed at 10.30pm while Pakistan colours will be showcased at 11pm. Other countries, including UK will displayed after midnight.



Fewer spectators, anticipation high

The number of spectators was fewer than last year but the mood and level of anticipation was still high. People still came in droves – some as early as 4pm – to witness live the annual fireworks and laser show on Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower.

NYE burj khalifa
People came early to get the best seats at Dubai Mall Promenade to watch Burj Khalifa fireworks. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/ Gulf News

Unlike in previous years, when people were standing shoulder to shoulder and jockeying for the best view of Burj Khalifa, physical distancing was strictly enforced this year and people had to stand at marked areas to watch the event. Everyone was also required to wear a face mask at all times.

Streets and boulevards at Downtown Dubai and the Dubai Mall Metro Station were closed earlier than usual. No vehicle was allowed along Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard as the entire stretch was designated as a public viewing area.

Only those with QR codes who preregistered on U By Emaar app were allowed access to restaurants and eateries along Dubai Mall Promenade and the public viewing areas at Burj Park and Dubai Opera. Disinfection and sanitisation campaign were conducted a day before New Year’s Eve.



Stronger in 2021

Hours before midnight, Gulf News spoke to some old timers and first timers who came to watch the Burj Khalifa fireworks. Filipino expat Raphael Bacaoco, 26, said it has become a tradition for him to film the pyrotechnics display. “There was an obvious reduction in the number of spectators this year because of the pandemic. But the mood at the foot of Burj Khalifa was still upbeat,” he told Gulf News.

“2020 has been a year of full of challenges but this was also year when we showed our resilience. I think we came out stronger and the UAE, in fact, has shown a resounding success in handling the COVID-19 crisis. For this, we really need to celebrate,” Bacaoco strongly pointed out.

Long-time Dubai resident Agnes Dakay said she went to watch the Burj Khalifa live for the first time in more than 10 years of living in the UAE.

“I came here (Dubai Mall Fountain Area) before 4pm to avoid traffic and to get the best seat. I’m sure I will not be disappointed. Before, because of work, I was only able to watch the fireworks on YouTube. But now, I will see it up close,” she said.



Straight from Birmingham

Talking about excitement, no one perhaps could beat British tourists Haz Rasool and Miya Kainarth. The duo came straight to Dubai Mall after landing at the airport at 9am on New Year’s Eve to book a seat at a restaurant with nice view of Burj Khalifa.

“We had a long flight and we had only a few hours of sleep but we went straight here to book a seat and watch the amazing Burj Khalifa fireworks for the first time. Now, we got the best seats and we’re intrigued and super excited how this will come out,” Rasool and Kainarth said in unison.

Rasool said he would like to come back next year to watch again the fireworks and Dubai while Kainarth said her New Year’s wish is to be able to travel to as many places as she can in 2021.



NYE burj khalifa
People came early to get the best seats at Dubai Mall Promenade to watch Burj Khalifa fireworks. 31th December 2020. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/ Gulf News








Burj Khalifa displays Happy New Year, China!



Watch Global Village fireworks

GLOBAL Village
Global Village Image Credit: Virendra Saklani/Gulf News


Happy New Year, Philippines!

Untitled-19
The Philippine flag on the Burj Khalifa Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News


Lower Financial center road is temporarily closed, announces Dubai Police



Happy New Year Japan! on Burj Khalifa



New Year Japan
Image Credit: Gulf News

Scene at Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa



Restaurant at Dubai Fountain

Cyra Tadifa prepares the table at a restaurant at Dubai Fountain as guests are beginning to take their seats and witness the fireworks and laser show on Burj Khalifa.

All guests, visiting one of the restaurants or hotels on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Souk Al Bahar, Dubai Opera and The Dubai Mall Promenade were via the U By Emaar app. The free and easy-to-use registration process gives guests access at Downtown Dubai on New Year’s Eve.

Strict precautionary measures, including social distancing and wearing of masks, are being enforced at Downtown Dubai for the gala event



Are you heading out to celebrate NYE in Dubai?

Check out these Social distance guidelines



People arrive at Global Village to welcome New Year 2021



Enjoying sunset at Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival







Last sunset of 2020

People enjoy the last sunset of 2020 at the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Abu Dhabi on 31st December, 2020.
People enjoy the last sunset of 2020 at the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Abu Dhabi on 31st December, 2020. Image Credit: Cint Egbert/Gulf News


NYE preparations Dubai
People Dubai Mall to witness fireworks in Burj Khalifah on New Years Eve to welcome 2021. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

Year 2021 arrives in Sydney

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New Year's Eve fireworks erupt over Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House (L) during the fireworks show. Image Credit: AFP




Burj Khalifa Metro station closes

The Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station has been closed, RTA has informed. Commuters are asked to use the Financial Centre and Business Bay Metro Stations to reach Burj Khalifa area.





Moderate traffic around Burj Khalifa

Seven hours before midnight, traffic around the vicinity of Burj Khalifa is still moderate. Some roads are already closed and the use of public transport is highly advised.

Both the Red and Green lines on Dubai Metro will operate straight until 1am on Saturday (January 2). The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), meanwhile, advised Metro users to take note that Burj Khalifa/ Dubai Mall Metro station will be closed from 5pm today (New Year’s Eve) until 6am tomorrow (January 1). During closure time, commuters can use either the Financial Centre Metro Station or Business Bay Metro Station.

The RTA advised motorists going to Downtown Dubai to use DubaiMetro and leave their vehicles at the parking area in Rashidiya and Etisalat metro stations.

Later after the fireworks display at Burj Khalifa, commuters can use any of the 200 buses allocated by the RTA to transport spectators free of charge from the event venue to metro stations, in addition to taxi parking spots in each of the parking lots of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRAFA), Musallah Al Eid hall in Al Mankhool and Al Wasl Club.

The RTA reminded the commuters to practice physical distancing and give priority to senior citizens, women, children, and People of Determination in trains and elevators.



Scene from Jumeira Beach
A resident setting up a tent for watching New Year's Eve celebrations on Jumeira public beach, Dubai Image Credit: Antonin Kelian Kallouche/Gulf News


Video: People beginning to arrive at Jumeirah Beach



New Zealand celebrates New Year

Virus_Outbreak_New_Zealand_New_Years_Eve_79274
Fireworks are launched from the Sky Tower to mark the changing of the year on New Year's eve in Auckland, New Zealand. Image Credit: AP


Scene at Downtown Dubai

Dubai Police have started rerouting the flow of traffic after Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Al Asayel Street and the lower deck of Financial Centre Road were closed at 4pm.

Al Mustaqbal Street will be closed gradually from Business Bay and Dubai World Trade Center intersections starting from 6pm and Al Sukuk street will close at 8pm while the upper deck of Financial Centre Road will close at 9pm.

There are still ample parking inside Dubai Mall. Emaar has allocated around 16,700 parking slots in the mall, including Zabeel extension parking area.



Don’t forget the QR code

Spectators must ensure they carry the QR code issued after registering at U By Emaar app. Access to Downtown Dubai will be through five gates erected around the area and only those with QR code can go to the viewing locations. The QR codes are segregated by colours: light blue for restaurants and eateries; dark red for those who can go at Dubai Opera; and black for public viewing areas along Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard.



Al Asayel road closed

Dubai Police: Al Asayel road leading to Burj Khalifa area is temporarily closed and will be designated for buses and emergency vehicles only.



Scenes from Dubai Mall





Spreading cheer with smart technologies



Preparations in full swing at Al Wathba



Families at Buhairah Corniche in Sharjah 

NYE preparations Sharjah
Families enjoy the weather at Sharjah Buhairah Corniche in Sharjah. Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/ Gulf News


'Celebrate with caution'

World is ushering in a new year in the shadow of an unprecedented pandemic, marked by stringent safety measures. The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority called on people in the UAE to adhere to the safety guidelines and protocols in place over New Year's Eve celebrations on Thursday.