New year in Dubai: where to watch fireworks, how to book and how much a night costs

On New Year's Eve, Dubai runs on a special schedule. Streets in the center are closed from 4:00 PM, and in the 2025/26 season the metro ran for 43 hours straight (as of 12/2025, RTA plan in Khaleej Times). Anyone who didn't plan their route and viewing spot meets midnight stuck in traffic.

We put together a guide that works every year: where to watch the fireworks, how to book dinner or a party, how much different formats cost, and how to get home after the show. The 2026/27 program hasn't been announced by venues yet, so the prices below are taken from 2025/26 season listings and marked with that season.

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How New Year's Eve works in Dubai

💡 In short:

• The main show at Burj Khalifa starts at 00:00, public areas along the boulevard are free and work on a first come, first served basis (as of 12/2025, Emaar public areas).
• Fireworks aren't only in the center: in the 2025/26 season there were shows at 40 locations, including Burj Al Arab, Atlantis, Global Village, and Expo City Dubai (as of 12/2025, Khaleej Times New Year's Eve guide).
• Last season the metro ran nonstop from 5:00 AM on December 31 until midnight on January 1 (as of 12/2025, RTA metro schedule in Khaleej Times).
• 2025/26 season prices: from 69 AED for a concert to 6,500 AED for a gala dinner (as of 12/2025, The National concert roundup).
• Viewing areas and rules: checked on 09/15/2026 on the official Emaar page, the 2026/27 season program had not been published as of that date.

New Year's Eve in Dubai comes down to three decisions. First: where you watch the show. Second: what format you ring in midnight with, from a free boulevard spot to a gala dinner at a hotel. Third: how you get there and back when the center is closed to cars.

The order matters. Pick your viewing spot and event before your hotel, because dinner and yacht tickets sell out in advance, while a room can be found near a metro station.

When the new season program is announced

There's no single lineup for the whole night in Dubai. Each venue announces its own program, and the timing varies widely. Major hotels start early: Atlantis, The Palm published its headliner and prices for the 2025/26 night as early as August 4, 2025 (as of 08/2025, Atlantis announcement in The National).

Most clubs, restaurants, and cruises release their lineups in November and December. Downtown restaurant price roundups appear in late November: in 2025, such a roundup came out on November 25 (as of 11/2025, Downtown restaurant prices, Khaleej Times). RTA publishes the road closure plan and metro schedule in the last week of December, last season on December 26.

What's already known about the 2026/27 season. Global Village opens its 31st season on October 14, 2026 and runs until May 2027 (as of 09/2026, 31st season announcement in The National). The park hasn't announced its New Year's Eve program yet.

• August-September: first gala dinners at major hotels, early prices.
• November-December: club, beach, yacht, and restaurant lineups.
• Last week of December: road closures and metro schedule.

Follow the news of venues you're interested in and check prices on their official websites. Numbers on social media and resale sites often differ from the official lineup.

Where to watch the fireworks: main spots

Your choice of spot shapes the whole evening. In the center you get the biggest show and the densest crowd, by the sea it's calmer, and in the parks it's easier with kids.

© Tim.Reckmann · CC BY-SAPhoto: Tim.Reckmann, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Burj Khalifa and Downtown

The show at Burj Khalifa combines fireworks, facade lighting, lasers, and the Dubai Fountain. Public areas along Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard are free, and no tickets or badges are required for them (as of 12/2025, free spots on the boulevard, Emaar). Food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed there, and the broadcast is shown on LED screens.

Emaar recommends arriving by 2:00 PM because road closures start at 4:00 PM (as of 12/2025, Emaar FAQ on arrival time). If you need a guaranteed spot, get a Burj Park ticket.

• Burj Park, 2025/26 season: adult 997.5 AED, child aged 5-12 577.5 AED, under 5 free with a badge (as of 12/2025, Burj Park tickets on the Emaar website).
• Gates: opened at 12:00 PM, re-entry was not allowed.
• The catch: Burj Park tickets are non-refundable, and the badge must be picked up in advance at the mall.

Atlantis and Palm Jumeirah

The fireworks on Palm Jumeirah stretch over the water from Atlantis, The Palm to Atlantis The Royal (as of 08/2025, Atlantis fireworks, The National). You can watch them from the Palm West Beach promenade, from the Boardwalk, and from the peninsula's beaches. People gather early, and closer to midnight access to some promenades is restricted (as of 12/2025, viewing spots in Gulf News).

© giggel · CC BYPhoto: giggel, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah beaches

Burj Al Arab has its own separate show. It is shorter than the one downtown, but it is visible from the free Umm Suqeim beaches, Kite Beach, and Umm Suqeim Park (as of 12/2025, beaches near Burj Al Arab, Gulf News). Bring blankets and water, as you will spend several hours on the sand.

Global Village

Global Village works as a family-friendly option. For New Year's Eve 2026, the park ran seven fireworks shows and seven countdowns to mark the New Year in different countries, added a drone show, and extended its opening hours (as of 01/2026, Global Village). The first fireworks go off well before midnight, so you won't have to wake the kids.

© Fariz Safarulla · CC BY-SAPhoto: Fariz Safarulla, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Entry on regular days in past seasons cost 25 AED on weekdays and 30 AED on weekends (as of 09/2026, Global Village tickets, The National). Check the New Year's Eve ticket price for the 2026/27 season closer to December.

Expo City Dubai

© Tim Reckmann from Hamm, Deutschland · CC BY-SAPhoto: Tim Reckmann from Hamm, Deutschland, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Al Wasl Plaza runs all night and welcomes guests with children. Inside there's a concert, food, an early countdown, and fireworks, and the open areas are less crowded than Downtown. For a family with kids, this is one of the easiest options.

• Where: Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City Dubai
• Tickets from: 150 AED, 2025/26 season (as of 12/2025, official Expo City Dubai website)
• Age: no restrictions

Other viewing spots

Last season, fireworks also took place in less obvious locations. Dubai Frame added a drone show for the first time, visible from Zabeel Park, and drones also flew over Global Village and JBR (as of 12/2025, 40 fireworks locations, Khaleej Times). Separate shows were held in Dubai Festival City, Bluewaters, Dubai Marina, and the Hatta mountains.

Dubai Creek Harbour offers an open waterfront and a distant view of the center. It's less crowded, but you also see the Burj Khalifa show from a distance.

How to book New Year's Eve

Booking in Dubai works in reverse compared to a regular trip. First the event, then the hotel, then the travel.

• Pick the format. Free boulevard, park ticket, dinner, club, yacht, or desert. The format determines the age, budget, and arrival time.
• Watch the official websites. Get prices and age restrictions from the venue, not from resellers.
• Check the ticket terms. At Burj Park, tickets were non-refundable, and badges were issued from December 26 to 30 at two malls (as of 12/2025, Burj Park prices at Emaar).
• Confirm what is included in the price. Gala dinners are sold as packages with or without drinks, and children have a separate rate.
• Book accommodation near the metro. A hotel next to a Red Line station is more reliable than a room near the tower with no transport.

Hotels in the center raise prices for holiday dates, so book your room right after you get your event ticket. Compare Dubai hotels on Trip.com and filter them by distance to the metro.

How much New Year's Eve in Dubai costs: price levels

Prices vary by hundreds of times. Below are the levels for the 2025/26 season: formats and the general range usually repeat, but check every price for the new season against the official listings.

At restaurants near Burj Khalifa, the location sets the price. A terrace table with a direct view of the tower costs several times more than the indoor seating: at Souk Al Bahar, premium spots reached up to 12,000 AED per person (as of 11/2025, tables near the tower, Khaleej Times). If the fireworks themselves matter more than the dinner, the free boulevard gives you the same view.

Gala dinners at hotels: examples from last season

A gala dinner at a hotel includes the menu, drinks, entertainment, and a spot with a view of the fireworks. This is the most expensive format for the night. Below are venues from the 2025/26 season with prices from their listings.

Atlantis, The Palm

The gala dinner at Atlantis, The Palm was a black tie event with a themed program, a headline concert, and fireworks over the water. It started at 6:00 PM, and the headliner was announced back in August.

• Where: Atlantis, The Palm
• Tickets, 2025/26 season: 6,500 AED for guests 14 and older, 4,500 AED for children 4-13 (as of 08/2025, Atlantis rates in The National)
• With kids: yes, there was a separate rate for children
• Rooms at Atlantis The Palm on Trip.com

Golden night at Zabeel theatre

The gala dinner took place in the theater at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray hotel. Live orchestra, stage, and dinner at tables, no age restrictions.

• Where: Zabeel Theatre, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
• Tickets from: 3,850 AED, 2025/26 season (as of 12/2025, Golden Night in What's On Dubai)
• Age: no restrictions

Mandarin Oriental Jumeira

Mandarin Oriental Jumeira hosted a New Year's dinner with a concert program. The price per guest ran into the thousands of AED, but different outlets cited different figures. Check it directly with the hotel before budgeting.

• Where: Mandarin Oriental Jumeira
• Tickets: several thousand AED, 2025/26 season, listings show conflicting figures
• Age: 12+

Dukes the palm Dubai hotel

Dinner at the hotel on Palm Jumeirah with views of Dubai Marina. No age restrictions, and the price is lower than neighboring gala dinners on the peninsula.

• Where: Dukes the palm Dubai hotel
• Tickets from: 2,200 AED per adult, 2025/26 season (as of 12/2025, Dukes prices, What's On Dubai)
• Age: no restrictions

Where moments shine at Jumeirah beach hotel

© Wings and Petals · CC BYPhoto: Wings and Petals, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The dinner took place at Janat Al Bahar by the beach at Jumeirah Beach Hotel. You ring in midnight by the sea and watch the Burj Al Arab show almost from the front row. Tickets cost several thousand AED, no age restrictions.

• Where: Janat Al Bahar, Jumeirah Beach Hotel
• Tickets: several thousand AED, 2025/26 season
• Age: no restrictions

Clubs and beach parties

The club format is cheaper than gala dinners and almost always restricted to 21+. The venues below operated in the 2025/26 season, and headliners change every year.

Midnight disco at time out market

The third floor of Souk Al Bahar was turned into a disco for one night. You dance next to Burj Khalifa and step out onto the terrace for the show. Tickets cost around a thousand AED, no age restrictions.

• Where: Time Out Market, Souk Al Bahar, 3rd floor
• Tickets: around a thousand AED, 2025/26 season

Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour

The dance venue in Dubai Harbour hosted DJs CamelPhat and Mahmut Orhan. Entry is 21+, and the evening here starts earlier than in the city center.

• Where: Ushuaïa Dubai Harbour Experience
• Tickets from: 250 AED, 2025/26 season (as of 12/2025, night concerts, The National)
• Age: 21+

Troy at Ramee dream hotel

The club at Ramee Dream Hotel in Business Bay sold tickets priced in the hundreds of AED. Inside, DJs and a dance floor until morning. From the hotel you can easily get to the city center by metro.

• Where: Troy, Ramee Dream Hotel
• Tickets: hundreds of AED, 2025/26 season
• Age: 21+

VICE

VICE operates in the same hotel as Troy. Tickets here were among the cheapest of the clubs, but still cost hundreds of AED. If you want a budget option with dancing, start here.

• Where: VICE, Ramee Dream Hotel
• Tickets: hundreds of AED, 2025/26 season
• Age: 21+

Barasti Beach

© neXtplanaut · CC BYPhoto: neXtplanaut, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/), Flickr

A beach club at Dubai Marina with a dance floor on the sand. Entry was by ticket costing hundreds of AED, age 18+. You walk straight from the bar to the water, so bring light footwear.

• Where: Barasti Beach
• Tickets: hundreds of AED, 2025/26 season
• Age: 18+

Bubbles & Beats at Barasti Middle Deck

A separate New Year's dinner on the middle deck of the same club. Tables are set on the deck with views of the sea and Palm Jumeirah. Tickets cost hundreds of AED, no age restriction.

• Where: Barasti Beach, Middle Deck
• Tickets: hundreds of AED, 2025/26 season

Soho Garden Meydan

An open-air venue in the Meydan area that ran all night; last season Massano and Son Of Son played there. Fewer tourists here than in the center. Entry from 21, tickets cost hundreds of AED.

• Where: Soho Garden Meydan
• Tickets: hundreds of AED, 2025/26 season

Be Beach

A beach party with a DJ and a poolside bar, last season featuring the SHIMZA & CO program. You dance on the sand and can step out to the sea at any moment.

• Where: Be Beach
• Tickets from: 400 AED, 2025/26 season (as of 12/2025, Be Beach in The National review)
• Age: 21+

Bohemia at Five Palm Jumeirah

The Bohemia club at the Five hotel on Palm Jumeirah hosted DJ Sonny Fodera. Entry from 21.

• Where: Bohemia at Five Palm Jumeirah
• Tickets from: 400 AED, 2025/26 season (as of 12/2025, Bohemia in What's On Dubai)
• Age: 21+

BCH:BALL at BCH CLB

A club party with DJs and a show program. Book a table in advance if you want to sit rather than stand by the dance floor.

• Where: BCH CLB
• Tickets from: 745 AED, 2025/26 season (as of 12/2025, BCH CLB, What's On Dubai)
• Age: 21+

Cavo

Cavo held a party with a countdown to midnight. The format is aimed at those who want to dance rather than sit at a table. Tickets cost hundreds of AED.

• Where: Cavo
• Tickets: hundreds of AED, 2025/26 season
• Age: 21+

Yachts, dhows, and the desert

The water and the desert offer two opposite options. On a yacht you watch the fireworks without the crowds; in the desert you trade the show for a starry sky.

Lotus royale at Dubai Marina

Dinner at Pier 7 in Dubai Marina: live music and tables by the water. Tickets last season cost around two thousand AED, no age restrictions.

• Where: Dubai Marina, Pier 7
• Tickets: around two thousand AED, 2025/26 season

Desert Rose Yacht

The mega yacht departs from Dubai Marina and returns to the harbor by midnight. Dinner and drinks were included in the ticket, which cost over a thousand AED. From the deck you watch the fireworks from the water.

• Where: Desert Rose Yacht
• Tickets: over a thousand AED, 2025/26 season

Ocean empress mega dhow

A classic dhow cruises the marina all New Year's Eve. On board: dinner, live music, and open-deck seating. Tickets cost around a thousand AED, no age restrictions.

• Where: Ocean empress mega dhow
• Tickets: around a thousand AED, 2025/26 season

Al Marmoom Domes in the desert

Glamping in the Al Marmoom reserve takes you away from the city. Dinner in the domes, barbecue, and a starry sky instead of fireworks. Tickets cost several thousand AED, and the format suits families who want to avoid the crowds.

• Where: Al Marmoom Domes
• Tickets: several thousand AED, 2025/26 season
• Desert tours on GetYourGuide

Concerts at Dubai festival city

Waterfront concerts at Dubai Festival City offer the most affordable tickets of the night. The venue sits away from Downtown and its road closures.

Bader el Shuaibi at festival bay

The open-air stage sits on the Dubai Festival City waterfront. You listen to the concert and watch the fireworks over the water. In the 2025/26 season this was the cheapest ticket on our list.

• Where: Festival Bay, Dubai Festival City Mall
• Tickets from: 69 AED, 2025/26 season (as of 12/2025, concert at Festival Bay, The National)
• Age: no restrictions

Najwa Karam and Wael Kfoury at festival arena

The concert by two Lebanese singers took place at the arena in Dubai Festival City. The program ran all night, so plan your return in advance.

• Where: Festival Arena by InterContinental Dubai Festival City
• Tickets from: 495 AED, 2025/26 season (as of 12/2025, concert at Festival Arena, The National)
• Age: 21+

If you are coming for several days, fill the days before the holiday with excursions. Desert safaris, Dubai Creek cruises, and observation decks are easy to book in advance.

Getting around on New Year's Eve: RTA metro

A car on New Year's Eve will likely get in your way. In the 2025/26 season, road closures began at 4:00 PM and gradually expanded until 11:00 PM (as of 12/2025, road closures in Khaleej Times). Al Asayel Street, Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Burj Khalifa Street, Financial Centre Road, Al Mustaqbal Street, Al Sukook Street, and Sheikh Zayed Road were closed.

Table data: 12/2025, based on the RTA plan in Khaleej Times. RTA will announce the 2026/27 season schedule in late December.

When the station near the tower closes, get off at neighboring stations: World Trade Centre, Emirates Towers, Financial Centre, or Business Bay. From there you walk to the boulevard. After midnight, trains run packed, so do not rush to the metro right after the show.

• Parking: around 20,000 spaces near Downtown and 8,000 spaces at metro stations, with shuttles running from the parking lots.
• Taxis: book before 4:00 PM; later a car will not get into the center.
• Tip: choose a hotel near a metro station rather than right by the tower.

Rules and safety

On New Year's Eve in Dubai, enhanced security measures are in effect. Venue rules are stricter than on a regular day, and security enforces them.

• Prohibited in Burj Park: weapons, alcohol, glass containers, pyrotechnics, pets, laser pointers, drones, and professional filming equipment (as of 12/2025, prohibited items in the Emaar FAQ).
• Children: guests under 18 can enter Burj Park only with an adult who has a ticket.
• Alcohol: drink only in licensed restaurants and clubs; it is not available in public areas.
• Assistance: last season the city set up 37 first aid tents and lost and found offices (as of 12/2025, safety measures in Khaleej Times).

Follow police instructions and do not go beyond the barriers. Agree on a meeting point with your companions in advance. It is easy to get lost in the crowd, and the exit from the zone is closed until the show ends.

Practical tips for the night

December evenings in Dubai are warm, but the wait lasts for hours. Bring water, comfortable shoes, and a charged phone.

• With children: Global Village, Expo City Dubai, and the beaches near Burj Al Arab are easier than the center; the first fireworks at Global Village go off before midnight.
• Budget: the free boulevard, Umm Suqeim beaches and Kite Beach, or a concert at Festival Bay.
• A view without the crowd: a yacht or dhow at Dubai Marina.
• Quiet: Al Marmoom Domes or Dubai Creek Harbour.

Film the show briefly, and spend the rest of the time watching it yourself. The fireworks at Burj Khalifa last several minutes, and your phone screen takes them away from you.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

What time do the New Year fireworks start in Dubai?

The main show at Burj Khalifa starts at 00:00. The celebration in Downtown starts at 17:00, and Emaar advises arriving by 14:00, before road closures (as of 12/2025, schedule in the Emaar FAQ). At Global Village, fireworks go off several times during the evening, the first ones well before midnight.

How much does it cost to celebrate New Year in Dubai?

You can watch the show from the boulevard or the beach for free. In the 2025/26 season, concerts cost from 69 AED (as of 12/2025, concert prices according to The National), clubs cost hundreds of AED, and a gala dinner at Atlantis, The Palm cost 6,500 AED for an adult. Venues publish prices for the new season in the fall.

When will the program for New Year 2026/27 be announced?

As of 09/15/2026, there is no official program. Major hotels announce gala dinners from late summer, clubs and cruises in November and December, and the RTA transport plan comes out in the last week of December. Global Village will open its season on October 14, 2026 (as of 09/2026, Global Village opening date, The National).

Does the metro run on New Year's Eve?

Yes. In the 2025/26 season, the Red and Green lines ran for 43 hours without interruption (as of 12/2025, metro 43 hours, Khaleej Times). Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall station closed its entrance from 17:00, so get off at Financial Centre or Business Bay and walk to the boulevard.

Can you celebrate New Year in Dubai with children?

Yes. Expo City Dubai, Global Village, Burj Park, and dinner at Jumeirah Beach Hotel operated without age restrictions. Atlantis, The Palm had a children's ticket for ages 4-13. Most clubs on our list admitted guests from 18 or 21, so you cannot get in there with children.

Do you need to book in advance?

Yes, and the closer it gets to December, the fewer options there are. Tables at gala dinners and spots on yachts sell out months ahead, and hotels in the center raise prices for holiday dates. Buy your event ticket first, and book accommodation near the metro right after that.

In short: what to book

Plan New Year's in Dubai around the format, not the tower. First pick the viewing spot or event, then a hotel near the metro.

• If you're going as a couple and want dinner: Golden Night at Zabeel Theatre, Dukes the Palm, or a restaurant with a terrace near Burj Khalifa.
• If you're with kids: Expo City Dubai, Global Village, or Burj Park.
• If you need a minimal budget: the boulevard near Burj Khalifa, the beaches near Burj Al Arab, or a concert at Festival Bay.
• If you want to dance: Bohemia at Five Palm Jumeirah, Soho Garden Meydan, or VICE.
• If you don't like crowds: a yacht at Dubai Marina or Al Marmoom Domes.

As soon as the venue announces its program, grab your ticket and immediately find a hotel near the metro on Trip.com, and fill the days before the holiday with tours on GetYourGuide.