Ultimate guide to New Year’s Eve in Dubai (2026)
New Year’s Eve is one of my favourite times in Dubai and since my first ever celebration in 2013/14, I’ve been amazed at the incredible shows that Dubai puts on to celebrate this occasion.
There’s several celebrations across the city, all with huge firework displays but choosing which one is best for you isn’t an easy task with so many options!
This guide features everything from a casual affair where you can watch for free to full blown New Year’s Gala Dinners where you’ll need to dust off your black tie wardrobe.
Plus find out why my favourite New Year’s spot isn’t Downtown Dubai and where I recommend instead…
Do they celebrate New Years in Dubai?
Yes, Dubai holds one of the world’s largest New Year’s Eve celebrations and you’ll find multiple parties across the city. It’s famous for its extravagant celebrations, including record breaking fireworks displays at iconic locations like the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, and Atlantis The Palm.
Many tourists fly into Dubai for the occasion and both government workers and private employees receive New Years Day off.
Weather in Dubai at New Years
During New Year’s Eve in Dubai, the weather is warm and pleasant. High temperatures average around 26°C (59°F) for December and 24°C (59°F) for January, making it perfect for outdoor celebrations like fireworks, beach parties, and rooftop dinners. The evenings are comfortable too so you’re unlikely to need anything except a light jacket.
Both in December and January are very popular for tourism due to the perfect weather! With sunshine and very few showers.
New Year’s Eves Parties in Dubai
There are 3 main locations where Dubai has it’s largest and most extravagant New Year’s displays, I’ve also as a bonus at the bottom I’ll mention a few of the lesser known ones!
New Year’s Eve at the Burj Khalifa
The most famous of the all! The Burj Khalifa has fireworks up and down it’s entire building, reaching 1km into the sky!
In fact, some of the past firework displays have been so large that concerned Burj Khalifa residents thought they were were a potential fire hazard! However Dubai is very through with it’s safety when it comes to its firework displays.
Also one of the best parts about New Years with the Burj Khalifa is they continue to show the laser show element after New Year’s Eve. So even if you choose to celebrate somewhere else, you can still enjoy the light show afterwards minus the fireworks.
Where to watch the Burj Khalifa Fireworks
It is free to watch the fireworks in a few places and you can head close to Dubai Fountain area, but be aware the whole area gets closed except to paid ticket holders by 4/5 pm. Due to traffic, even as a ticket holder, it’s recommended to arrive at 4 pm.
It’s also very crowded in the free parts and the Dubai Mall / Burj Khalifa stop metro closes so it’s hard to get both in and out. Taxis also can’t get in due to the road closures. So be prepared for a lot of walking after the party unless you book a hotel in Downtown or Business Bay!
You’ll need to walk to Business Bay or Financial Centre Metro, or you’ll need to walk to where the roads aren’t closed to hail a cab.
Dubai Mall Promenade
All of the surrounding restaurants sell special reservations for this area but be prepared that tickets for all of the restaurants on New Year’s Eve are expensive!
One of the most affordable options last year was Dai Tai Fung in Dubai Mall starting from 500 AED ($146 USD) for indoor seats, 1500 AED for early-bird promenade.
Five Guys was also one of the more affordable options at 1650 AED ($449 USD) for the outdoor terrace.
Restaurants on the promenade range from 500 AED for indoor seating to 5000 AED for premium outdoor seating. This doesn’t include alcohol as the restaurants are dry, meaning they aren’t allowed to serve alcohol.
Restaurants on Dubai Mall Promenade with a good view:
- Five Guys – American fast food burgers
- Wafi Gourmet – Levantine Arabic food
- Social House – Healthy international
- Nando’s – Portugese style chicken
- Carluccio’s – Casual Italian
- Joe’s Cafe – Casual international
- Texas De Brazil – Brazilian grill and steakhouse
- Tim Horton’s – Canadian coffee house
There are also restaurants inside Dubai Mall and Fashion Avenue on the 1st floor however the promenade restaurants extend their outside seating area for New Year’s Eve and inside options have smaller, limited outdoor terraces.
Also be aware that not all restaurants in Dubai Mall have a view of the Burj Khalifa, so make sure to check!
Souk Al Bahar
Another option close to the Promenade is the small mall opposite to Dubai Mall called Souk Al Bahar, this is a licensed venue and the restaurants here are able to serve alcohol.
Time Out Market
One of the most popular and better value options is Time Out Market, however be aware that the cheapest tickets are downstairs and do not serve alcohol. The premium tickets however do include alcoholic drinks.
You’ll step into 2026 in style with a ‘Midnight Disco’ themed bash, featuring 70s & 80s music. This one-night-only celebration transforms the venue into a glittery hall of disco balls, complete with roaming performers, exclusive cocktails, and special culinary creations by top chefs.
The venue allows kids of all ages, with under 6s being free and 6 to 12 year olds 50% off the ticket price.
“Staff was great, abundance of food options. live entertainment was well put together and reserved viewing location for fireworks was perfect.”
Steven (Read more reviews from last year)
Also make sure to give yourself enough time to collect your badges and wristbands on the 31st December Zabeel Extension Bridge in Dubai Mall.
Other options at Souk Al Bahar with a good view are:
- The Meat Co – South African steakhouse
- Karma Kafe – Cocktail bar with asian fusion food
- Abd El Wahab – Lebanese food and shisha
- Bice Mare – Italian seafood
- Maison De Curry – Contemporary Indian
Affordable Downtown Dubai New Year’s Tickets
One of the more affordable options close to Burj Khalifa is Burj Park, this prime spot has an amazing view of the Burj Khalifa and located just the other side of the lake. Close to Dubai Opera and not far from Dubai Mall.
Hosted by Emaar, the public park is closed off for this special event, with live entertainment, performances, kids workshops plus food & beverage outlets. Part of the ticket price is redeemable on food and drinks. It’s also very kid friendly! With all ages welcome.
You’ll be able to enter from 12pm and it’s highly recommended to get there during the day time as roads start to close at lunch time and traffic starts from the afternoon.
Also make sure to buy your tickets early as they do sell out! Also you must collect your badge before the event and badge collection isn’t available on 31st December!
*Waiting for confirmation from Emaar about the event for 2025/26
If you have small children or you just don’t fancy spending half a day hanging around before the celebrations start, then I highly recommend to look at hotels close to the Downtown area.
As the closing of roads, the Dubai Mall metro stop closing and traffic can make it difficult to get into the area without long walks!
It’s also difficult to get back out again, you can find taxis where you queue up at the taxi rank but traffic can be slow. If you’re a night owl, staying put until the crowds die down a bit definitely helps!
Watch the Burj Khalifa fireworks further out
Cavo
This venue in Business Bay has an amazing view of the Burj Khalifa from inside the lounge and restaurant, perfect for watching all the fireworks without needing to go right into the centre of it all.
You do miss out on hearing the music and seeing the screen up close but you still have a great view of the fireworks from afar plus an amazing party to dance the night away.
Atlantis New Years Eve Party
Every year Atlantis host an ultra extravagant yet exclusive party, with just over 400 tables, and it’s a chance to see internationally famous artists performing in a much smaller setting.
This glamorous black tie event, has breathtaking views of The Palm and Dubai Marina skyline, and you’ll get to enjoy a lavish buffet including lobster, caviar, and sushi, along with premium drinks and free-flowing bubbly.
This is year performing is Maroon 5, however tickets aren’t cheap but compared to other options in Dubai, the prices are pretty typical for New Years Eve. I’d personally rather pay the same amount for this than a premium outdoor terrace seat in Downtown Dubai.
“The event was beyond my expectations. The pre-events featuring the Broadway theme was spectacular, as well as, the performances of artist before and after the New Year’s Eve magnificent and memorable performance by the legendary Lionel Richie leading us into the New Year of 2025.”
Declara (Read more reviews from last year)
The Palm is difficult to get to during New Years because there’s only one main high way onto the palm, so traffic starts to build up as police start slowing traffic from around midday.
In recent years, Dubai have started keeping the Palm Monorail running to make it easier to get in and out which has definitely helped. Plus it’s less crowded compared to the metro going into Downtown. Overall Palm is easier to get in and out of compared to Downtown Dubai.
Despite this, it’s still recommend to get a hotel on the Palm if you plan the celebrate there and want a truly smooth experience. Getting around the Palm is much easier and we’ve experienced pretty much zero traffic getting a taxi to Atlantis from when we stayed at Sofitel The Palm.
Also unlike Downtown Dubai, they still allow taxis to operate within the Palm meaning you can get a taxi from your hotel or resort to Atlantis which is why I prefer to celebrate New Years Eve on Palm Jumeirah.
New Year’s Parties with a View of Palm Jumeirah
If you want to avoid getting onto the Palm from the mainland, then another option is watching from afar the fireworks.
Be Beach Dubai
Be Beach Dubai is one of the city’s most popular spots for a chilled but high-energy New Year’s Eve, and it’s a great pick if you want fireworks, good music, and a more affordable night out.
You’ll get views of the Palm Jumeirah fireworks from a distance, plus Be Beach’s own display and even glimpses of the Bluewaters show. Tickets start from AED 425, making it one of the budget-friendlier beach parties in Dubai.
Dress code is beach chic, excluding flip flops so perfect for those who prefer not getting too dressed up for New Years Eve. Plus you’ll likely be dancing in the sand anyway.
This year, Shimza & Co are taking over the stage, bringing world-class Afro-tech and deep house to ring in 2026. As midnight approaches, Be Beach turns into an open-air party with lights, music, and incredible skyline views.
This is an over 21s only venue!
Barasti
Another affordable beach party option to welcome 2025 is Barasti Beach. This very casual venue is ideal for those who don’t want to dress up and prefer to dance barefoot on the beach.
This year features DJ Will Sparks, mixing all your favourite tunes where you’ll be able to dance into the night with his high-energy electronic beats along with Tungevaag bringing a Norwegian flare. Tickets start from 106 AED.
They also have their Middle Deck option, which is family-friendly, located on an elevated platform and free for children under 6.
General admission tickets are for over 18s only.
Located close to the base of Palm Jumeirah, you’ll get to see The Palm fireworks from a distance along with the Burj Al Arab ones a bit further away.
New Year’s Eve at Burj Al Arab
Another popular place to watch the fireworks is Burj Al Arab and there’s many surrounding locations where you’ll find dinner, parties and even beach celebrations.
It is a smaller display compared to the Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah but there’s a lot of luxury hotels in this area to choose from.
Where to watch the Burj Al Arab Fireworks
There’s a few places around the Burj Al Arab that have New Years Eve celebrations for a range of budgets.
Public Beaches
Umm Suqeim Beach and Jumeirah Public Beach are two popular public beaches close to Burj Al Arab. Both beaches offer a family-friendly was to enjoy the new year and budget way to enjoy the luxury of the Burj Al Arab as the backdrop.
Most families pack a picnic and blankets to sit on so they can enjoy the show in comfort. It also best to take a few jackets as it can get cooler in the night with the sea breeze.
Jumeirah Public Beach, just a bit closer to the Burj Al Arab, with incredible views but it is a smaller beach. The beach has bathrooms for convenience. Just make sure to get there early to get a good spot.
Umm Suqeim Beach is a larger beach also close to the Burj Al Arab, it also has public bathrooms, walkways and benches. You’ll also need to get there early to get a good spot on the beach.
Despite both beaches getting busy, there’s usually enough space between groups of people that it’s comfortable.
Yacht Party
This is an incredible experience for New Years Eve as you’ll get to float on the water, close to Burj Al Arab where the fireworks go off.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in ultimate style aboard Dubai’s largest mega yacht! This luxurious cruise offers a five-star buffet with live cooking stations, unlimited premium drinks, live DJ music, and an energetic dance floor to keep the party going.
Experience an unobstructed views of Dubai’s dazzling skyline and the spectacular New Year’s fireworks display, with sights of landmarks like the Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis Hotel, and Burj Al Arab.
You can also upgrade to the VIP option for added perks like valet service, priority boarding, reserved top-deck seating, and exclusive bottle service at your table.
“Hello! Overall good, the food was delicious, the megayacht super beautiful, the STAFF was excellent, excellent service, the only issue we had was that when we arrived they didn’t know which line to put us in and they left us there waiting while the rest of the people who arrived after us went through and lined up without a problem, for a moment I thought they wouldn’t let us board since we didn’t appear on the list, once this issue was corrected we boarded without a problem and everything was EXCELLENT.”
Maria (Read more reviews)
Jumeirah Beach Hotel
Jumeirah Beach Hotel is one of Dubai’s top places to celebrate, with its unbeatable views of the Burj Al Arab.
You’ll enjoy an incredible performance by the Paris Select Falcon Band, all set against the hotel’s iconic beachfront backdrop. Guests can indulge in a lavish buffet with premium dishes and extravagant live stations, offering a truly memorable dining experience.
This is another great option if you want a prime location, luxury venue but want to spend a little less than the cost of the Atlantis dinner.
Another great option if you want a family-friendly night and children under 5 are free.
You can also choose to stay in one of these fabulous nearby resorts and even enjoy the fireworks from the comfort of your room!
Fireworks in Dubai for New Years
There are several locations across Dubai that have firework shows:
- Burj Khalifa & Downtown Dubai
- Burj Al Arab
- Atlantis & Palm Jumeirah
- Bluewaters Island & JBR beach
- Dubai Festival City
Dinner Parties on New Year’s Eve in Dubai
Dukes Hotel, Palm Jumeirah
If you’re looking for a stylish way to celebrate New Year’s Eve, Dukes The Palm is hosting a Gala Dinner right on Palm Jumeirah.
You’ll get a fantastic buffet, live entertainment, and a stunning fireworks display at midnight to ring in 2025! Choose from soft, house, or bubbly drink packages to suit your style for the eveing.
If you prefer a more formal celebration of New Years, then here are some of the best dinner parties to celebrate in the city.
Atlantis Gala Dinner, Palm Jumeirah
As mentioned above, the Atlantis is a great option for those who want a Dinner Party with their black-tie event featuring the famous Lionel Richie for 2024/25. You’ll enjoy live cooking stations, gourmet desserts and a luxurious buffet all evening with lobster, caviar and more!
Alternative things to do on New Year’s Eve
If you’re looking for an alternative, more affordable option that still has fireworks, Festival City Mall is another great option and lessr known the others.
The party is held at Festival Bay for a night that promises joy, music, and magic! With live performances and the dazzling “Imagine Show” which is a little bit similar to the Dubai Fountain show but smaller with fire and more colours!
Highlights include an epic countdown to midnight, fireworks, and an integrated concert and visual spectacle that’ll blow you away. Plus, there will be party favors and giveaways for everyone!
Tickets are AED 150 for adults and AED 90 for kids, with wristbands handed out at the door. It’s going to be a night to remember—grab your tickets and get ready to celebrate in style!
It also tends to be a bit less busy compared to other options in the city!
Things to know about New Year’s Eve in Dubai
So my first insider tip for celebrating new years eve in Dubai is get to where you need to go early! Road closures start happening around lunch time and traffic starts to build up by early afternoon.
It’s better to be close by to where you’ve booked, even if that means heading over during the day and taking your evening outfit with you.
It’s best to book a hotel room close to where you’ll celebrate, if you plan to visit. There’s nothing worse than getting stuck in traffic and missing out on the celebrations.
New Year in Dubai 2025 Final Thoughts
I personally have always enjoyed my time more on Palm Jumeirah for New Year’s than Downtown Dubai and Atlantis’s Gala Dinner will guarantee an amazing time.
If you’re looking for something more budget-conscious and family-friendly, Barasti’s Middle Deck is the perfect night out while still getting to enjoy the Atlantis fireworks from afar.
My favourite option for Downtown would definitely be Time Out Market as it offers delicious food and a great location for the festivities. The value is great considering many similar-priced options are a bit lack luster on foodie. Time Out Market is definitely a great foodie option!
No matter which place you choose, the most important thing about new years is having the right people around you to enjoy it with. Starting the new year in the best way possible!
Don’t go just yet! Find out about other holidays and festivities in Dubai:
- The largest and best Christmas markets in Dubai for all your Christmas needs
- Celebrating Christmas in Dubai: What to expect and the best places to go for some festive cheer
- What is Ramadan in Dubai like and should I avoid visiting during Ramadan?
- 11 family friends activities for Halloween in Dubai to enjoy for the spooky season
- Is there a Halloween Drone show in Dubai? Where to watch drones in Dubai
- Tuck into some turkey with these Thanksgiving restaurants in Dubai serving delicious traditional meals