Updated
Yes, if you build the evening around one place. For last New Year’s Eve (31 December 2025) Dubai announced 48 fireworks shows at 40 locations, the metro was timetabled to run all night, and midnight was 20°C and dry.
What you pay for is a seat. The typical dinner offer started at AED 1,195 per person last season, while the public viewing areas in Downtown were free.
| Last New Year’s Eve | |
|---|---|
| Fireworks | 48 shows at 40 locations, announced by Dubai’s Event Security Committee. |
| People on the move | 2,836,859 passengers on public transport, taxis and shared transport. |
| Metro | Timetabled non-stop from 5am on 31 December to 11:59pm on 1 January. |
| Midnight | 20°C at the airport, no rain. |
| Typical dinner offer | From AED 1,195 per person, in our count of 211 priced offers. |
| Free viewing in Downtown | Ten public areas, first come, first served. |
| Burj Park ticket | AED 997.50 per adult. |
Sources: Dubai Media Office, RTA, Emaar, the airport’s weather reports and our own cost guide.
The official plan named Burj Khalifa, Global Village, Bab Al Shams Desert Resort, Atlantis The Royal, Al Marmoom Oasis, Expo City Dubai, Dubai Frame, Emirates Golf Club, Dubai Parks and Resorts and Hatta among the 40 locations. Dubai Frame added a drone show to its yearly fireworks.
Our fireworks page compares the four best-known shows, and fireworks timings has the times.
Families: Global Village held seven countdowns from 8pm, included in the entry ticket. Expo City Dubai held a children’s countdown at 9pm. Public beaches were reserved for families, and 14 public parks stayed open until 1am.
A quieter night: Emaar called Dubai Creek Harbour the calmer of its two fireworks places, and Gulf News described Al Seef as a more serene night, with fireworks over Dubai Creek.
On a budget: the Downtown public areas were free, and Gulf News called the festival fireworks at JBR free to watch.
Dinner and a party: Vesna is listed on this site from AED 250 per person, OCCO Hessa from AED 350 and OCCO Business Bay from AED 990. All three are promoted listings, and none has a fireworks view.
The big night out: a New Year’s Eve gala dinner. This season’s Atlantis gala, with Katy Perry, starts at AED 8,500 per adult.
Getting in. Last season the roads around Burj Khalifa closed in steps from 4pm, Emaar told hotel and restaurant guests to arrive before the closures, and the nearest metro station was due to close to entry from 5pm.
Getting home. Sheikh Zayed Road was reported closed at about 11:39pm and open again by 1:19am, and Emaar said cars could leave Dubai Mall parking between 1am and 2am.
JBR is the second most popular place on the night, RTA said. Private cars were barred there from 4pm under its plan.
New Year’s Eve is Thursday 31 December 2026. Atlantis has announced its gala. The Burj Al Arab hotel is closed for restoration, press reports say.
Emaar has not published its programme or put tickets on sale for 31 December 2026 yet. We update this page the day it does.
Global Village has not announced its New Year’s Eve programme for 31 December 2026 yet.
No official plan for 31 December 2026 is out yet: no road closures, metro hours, beach rules or list of fireworks locations. Last season the plan came on 26 December 2025. We update this page the day it is out.
Your budget, whether you must see fireworks, and how much travel your group can take on the night. Children and step-free access narrow the choice faster than any list of best venues.
Then pick one place and stay there. Our itinerary has three plans with clock times.
These venues take New Year's Eve enquiries on WhatsApp now. You book directly with the venue, and we charge no fee.
OCCO's own building on Hessa Street in Al Barsha 3: dinner, a terrace and shisha, away from the Downtown crowds. Mocktails and juices, children welcome.
From AED 350 per person guide price
Call +971 50 905 2216
Dinner, a late lounge with a bar and a shisha terrace at Hyde Dubai, on the canal in Business Bay.
From AED 990 per person guide price
Call +971 56 430 5280
Restaurant and lounge in Al Safa 2, near Jumeirah: live fire kitchen, live sets and shisha until late.
From AED 250 per person guide price
Call +971 4 343 3375
See these venues on one page →
Tell us how many you are and what you want to spend. We reply on WhatsApp with a shortlist, and it costs you nothing.