Six record-breaking firework feats, drone shows, dazzling performances: It’s all happening in the UAE as the country steps into 2024 with hope for a beautiful new year. Abu Dhabi skies will light up with 40 minutes of fireworks and a show put up by 5,000 drones, while Dubai’s Burj Khalifa will shine with its “brightest, biggest and most colourful” display yet.
Ras Al Khaimah will have a record-breaking start to the new year, with a carpet of aquatic pyrotechnics, LED drones and fireworks illuminating 4.5km of shoreline stretching from Al Marjan Island to Al Hamra Village.
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As many residents celebrate the end of 2023, some have chosen to mute New Year’s Eve festivities as a show of solidarity with war-ravaged Gaza.
With journalists stationed across the Emirates, Khaleej Times brings you all the action and visuals LIVE in the hours leading up to January 1, 2024:
8.15pm: UAE President wishes residents on New Year
UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan took to X to say: “As we welcome the new year, let us stand united and pray for peace and progress for all people in the UAE, region, and world”.
8.16pm: Unforgettable experience
Leaving the Sydney Harbour fireworks behind, Australians Mohamed Semra and Sufian Mohamed enjoyed a spectacular New Year’s Eve laser show at the Burj Al Arab. The city, renowned for its extravagant celebrations, provided an unforgettable experience for the two friends visiting from Melbourne. Despite their brief stay, they seized the opportunity to create lasting memories in the lively atmosphere.
Mohamed and Sufian opted to spend New Year’s Eve at Jumeirah Beach, and stayed closer to the beach rather than heading downtown to avoid potential traffic congestion. Mindful of the limited time, especially with Sufian’s impending return flight to Melbourne, they were determined to make the most of their New Year’s Eve experience.
Their excitement peaked when they learned that the iconic Burj Al Arab would host a mesmerising laser show followed by fireworks at midnight. Eager to witness this spectacular event, they promptly made their way to the beach, ready to embrace the magic of the festivities.
8.14pm: Saved for the best view
Witnessing the amazing fireworks at Burj Khalifa will be a dream come true for this mother and daughter duo who travelled all the way from Iran to Dubai for the first time.
Bahar Tavakooli and her mother, Fatmeh, have been saving money for the best – they paid $2,000 to get one of the best seats at the foot of Burj Khalifa. They arrived at 2 pm, ready for the festivities. Bahar wore a vibrant red Santa suit, while her mother added to the celebratory spirit with a New Year’s Eve hat.
“With the best view of Burj Khalifa, we will definitely have the best time of our lives,” said the mother and daughter. See the duo below:
8.05pm: Happy New Year, China!
The first set of fireworks went off at Global Village at 8pm UAE time to celebrate the new year in China. Ahead of the fireworks, performers staged a Chinese dance and counted down.
8pm: What to expect at Sheikh Zayed Festival today
Sheikh Zayed Festival, currently taking place at Al Wathba in Abu Dhabi, is preparing to welcome 2024 with exceptional fireworks displays that will light up the sky over the festival area at midnight, in an event anticipated by viewers.
The festival’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration programme attracts visitors from abroad to enjoy the shows taking place on this occasion.
They include – in addition to the fireworks display – international folklore and artistic performances, recreational events for visitors, in addition to various events and activities dedicated to children. (Wam)
7.51pm: World starts welcoming New Year with fireworks, prayers and some stark words
Here’s how some other places and people around the world were bidding farewell to 2023 and welcoming the New Year.
Sydney – Sydney hailed 2024 with a dazzling fireworks display featuring silver and gold pyrotechnics to mark the 50th anniversary of its famous Opera House.
Vladimir Putin – Russian President Vladimir Putin, facing an election in March, made only passing reference in his New Year address on Sunday to his war in Ukraine, hailing his soldiers as heroes but mostly emphasising unity and shared determination.
Xi Jinping – China’s President Xi Jinping, speaking on Sunday in a televised speech to mark the New Year, said the country will consolidate and enhance the positive trend of its economic recovery in 2024, and sustain long-term economic development with deeper reforms.
Kim Jong Un – North Korea vowed to launch three new spy satellites, build military drones, and boost its nuclear arsenal in 2024 as leader Kim Jong Un said US policy is making war inevitable, state media reported on Sunday.
Pope Francis – At his Sunday prayers at the Vatican, Pope Francis said: “I wish everyone a peaceful end of the year, and please do not forget to pray for me”.
7.45pm: More road closures announced
The Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai has announced more road closures. It said in a tweet on X, “Closure of Al Mustaqbal St. between the intersection of First Business Bay St. & Trade Centre St.”
The authority provided alternative routes: Al Khail Rd. and Al Wasl St.
7.25pm: Global Village festivities come to life
Global Village will be lighting up skies marking seven midnights, depending on different time zones of seven countries.
7.14pm: Sydney, Auckland first major cities to ring in 2024
Sydney and Auckland have become the world’s first major cities to ring in 2024, with more than a million revelers cheering spectacular fireworks displays that lit up the skies over Sydney Harbor and New Zealand’s tallest structure, Sky Tower.
As the clock struck midnight in Australia’s largest city, tons of explosives erupted in a 12-minute display that focused on the Sydney Harbor Bridge. More than 1 million people, a number equivalent to one in five of the city’s residents, watched from the shore and from boats in the harbour.
7.09pm: Local Emirati culture at Sheikh Zayed Festival
Emirati women in traditional attires showcase local culture at the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Abu Dhabi on December 31, 2023.
They also displayed old techniques such as using crochet, wool and other traditional methods to make sweaters, shawls and other items. Due to huge turnout on the New Year Eve, only family are allowed to visit the Festival.
7pm: Security guard’s New Year’s Eve at Global Village
For security guard Anil Magasi, it is the first NYE at Global Village in his seven years of living in the UAE.
“Usually I go with my friends to the Burj Al Arab area,” he said. “But today I am working here and I am really looking forward to seeing the various fireworks displays.” He said he had been approached several times with questions ranging from location of pavilions to the time of the fireworks.
“When I started, it took me almost a month to figure out all the locations inside Global Village,” he said. “But now, if you wake me up in my sleep, I can tell you the location of the toilets, restaurants and pavilions.”
6.50pm: Dubai Mall closure begins
Police have started closing the exit to Dubai Mall on Sheikh Zayed Road.
Officials’ cars can be seen guiding traffic away from the exit.
6.45pm: Joyful New Year’s adventure for friends from Paris
Friends Greg Dao and David Sanchez from Paris embarked on an exhilarating journey to experience Dubai’s magical New Year’s Eve.
Greg arrived one week ago, filled with excitement, while David, who joined him yesterday, was eager to immerse himself in the festivities.
With their bicycles in tow, they wasted no time embracing Dubai’s warmth and embarked on a cycling adventure along Jumeirah Beach. The stunning shoreline, with crystal-clear waters and golden sands, provided the perfect backdrop for their outdoor escapade.
After an invigorating ride, Greg and David are joining a lively gathering at a friend’s house. Amid colourful decorations and shimmering lights, they are eagerly welcoming the new year with laughter, music, and delicious food.
This New Year’s adventure was a testament to their friendship and shared joy, as Greg’s early arrival allowed him to share his excitement with David, who eagerly embraced the festive spirit.
6.43pm: Prelude to party; laser water shows begin
Burj Khalifa is now playing laser and water show every 30 minutes, in the run-up to the main fireworks show at 12 midnight.
Emaar Properties promises it “will be a seamless integration of technology, artistic excellence, and human ingenuity.”
Aside from the pyrotechnics, around 22,000 gallons of water will also be fired in the air to create an “awe-inspiring blend of water artistry, light, and sound, in sync with Burj Khalifa fireworks.
6.37pm: Another key Dubai road now closed
The Roads and Transport Authority has announced the closure of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd. “Please use alternative roads,” the authority tweeted.
The authority had earlier announced the closure of two roads: Burj Khalifa and Al Asayel streets.
6.29pm: Crowds throng Global Village ahead of 7 fireworks shows
People are thronging to Global Village as the whole destination has a festive mood. Several families have already laid down mats in various locations and reserved their spots to watch the fireworks while others are moving from pavilion to pavilion trying to score New Year’s deals.
6.23pm: Traditional Indian drummers wow Abu Dhabi crowd
Chenda Melam, traditional drummers from Kerala, India are seen performing and entertaining guests on New Year’s eve at Sheikh Zayed Festival, Abu Dhabi.
6.15pm: Memorable New Year’s Eve at Jumeirah Beach
For two young women, Rogaya Hamid and Nihal Mahmoud, spending their evenings at the Jumeirah Beach near the iconic Burj Al Arab has become a cherished tradition. They are spending the last evening of 2023 here, too.
Rogaya Hamid, who recently arrived in the UAE, is experiencing her first New Year’s Eve in this magnificent country. She is captivated by the infectious energy of the people and the meticulous organisation of the festivities that allow residents and visitors alike to revel in the celebrations.
Jumeirah Beach has become Rogaya and Nihal’s favorite spot, and after a long day at work, they frequently visit this picturesque location to unwind and soak in the beauty of the surroundings.
Rogaya and Nihal, both employed at the Federal Electricity and Water Authority (FEWA), have been friends since the day they met during the interview process. Their shared enthusiasm for exploring the UAE and immersing themselves in its vibrant culture has deepened their bond. Jumeirah Beach has become a place where they can escape the pressures of work and enjoy each other’s company.
6.08pm: ‘Business first, party later’ for these residents
Taking advantage of the brisk sales during New Year’s Eve, Chinese trader Jack Cheng said he will focus first selling his products then party later.
“I always look forward enjoying the fireworks at Burj Khalifa,” said Cheng, who sells lucky charms and novelty items at Dubai Mall’s Chinatown.
He added: “We, Chinese, actually started the tradition of using firecrackers to ward off evil spirits and bring in good luck for the new year.
Cheng said wearing red on New Year’s Eve brings good luck; “the colour boosts up energy and happiness from inside out.”
“Then we share sumptuous meals with family and friends and wish everyone good fortune, prosperity and happiness.”
5.52pm: Global Village visitors grab a karak
Long queues can be found outside most of the restaurants and kiosks in Global Village. Less than two hours after opening, the patron of Karak Cafe said he had already sold “hundreds” of teas.
“I have not had the time to even think about it,” he said, without taking his eyes off the order screen.
5.47pm: Picturesque last sunset of 2023
Visitors and residents across the UAE are witnessing a picturesque sunset. Hues across the sky are changing as the sun sets for the last time in 2023.
Stunning shades of orange are seen streaking across the sky on the last day of 2023. Take a look at these pictures from the Sheikh Zayed Festival:
5.40pm: Majlis seating nearly full at Global Village
It isn’t even 6pm yet, but the majlis seating area at Global Village is almost full. These seats cost Dh65 per hour and Dh202 for the whole day.
Seven fireworks shows will light up skies today. From China to Turkey, the distinct New Year’s celebrations will take place at the top of each hour, from 8pm until 1am.
5.31pm: ‘Ready to serve’; some Dubai residents work behind-the-scenes
Karim Salama, operations manager at Tim Horton’s Dubai Mall, said this is the fourth time he will be welcoming the new year working, and away from his family.
“But I have my second family here, Salama told Khaleej Times, pointing to his staff busy preparing the tables for their guests.
“New Year’s Eve is always the busiest time of the year for us and we are always ready and happy to serve our customers. What more can they ask for? We provide them the best services and at the stroke of midnight, they will experience the most spectacular show on Earth to welcome 2024,” he added.
5.25pm: Updated timings for Dubai parks
Heading to a park with family for New Year’s Eve? If you’re in Dubai, make sure you check out the updated timings for the holiday!
5.21pm: 5,000 drones all set to break record; watch video
Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Festival is putting on an NYE show that will combine fireworks, dancing drones and a laser show.
Over 5,000 drones will take off into the night sky to display “intricate patterns”, while setting a “new record in the Middle East”.
Organisers shared a behind-the-scenes video of the preparations for the show:
5.15pm: Dubai leaders wish residents ahead of New Year
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai has congratulated residents on the New Year.
He welcomed “the new year to be a year of work, hope, preparation and achievement”.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai has put out a tweet on X, welcoming the New Year.
He spoke of striding “forward towards a brighter future, aspiring to establish Dubai and the UAE as a shining model of spreading joy and positivity to all”.
5.10pm: New Zealand welcomes 2024 with a bang
Auckland has become the first major city to ring in 2024, with thousands cheering a fireworks display sprouting from New Zealand’s tallest structure, Sky Tower, and a downtown light show.
5.02pm: Traditional performances begin
Traditional performers are seen entertaining the major crowd on New Year’s eve at Sheikh Zayed Festival.
4.55pm: New Year’s Eve in UAE LIVE:
With Dubai’s Global Village hosting seven midnight celebrations to mark the New Year in seven time zones around the world, thousands of people have chosen the multicultural park to ring in 2024. With several hours to go till midnight in the UAE, the traffic to the Global Village is getting intense as can be seen from the photos below:
4.45pm: Overcast skies in Dubai
An overcast sky can be seen above the Burj Khalifa, however we hope this will not dampen spirits ahead of the wonderful fireworks show tonight.
There is a chance of light rain – more like a drizzle – is the weather forecast by the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) for tonight.
Dubai residents and visitors may experience dense cloud cover with chances of a drizzle in the evening.
“We foresee that the weather in general will be fair to cloudy… This might be associated with lightning. There are chances of light rain…more like a drizzle,” NCM told Khaleej Times earlier.
4.39pm: Thousands of revellers use public transport to beat NYE traffic
Thousands of residents and tourists are heeding to the authorities’ appeal to use public transport to get to their venues. The Dubai Metro and Tram not only help revellers reach on time, but also avoid the NYE rush.
Here, the Dubai Tram can be seen crowded than usual:
4.30pm: Families rushing in to venues
The crowd is beginning to build at the Sheikh Zayed Festival, with families and visitors steadily streaming in. 7-year-old Kashif Aman excitedly blows bubbles with his toy, eagerly anticipating the spectacular show scheduled for tonight.
The New Year’s Eve celebrations are set to dazzle with a lineup of shows, folkloric performances, and international events.
4.25pm: People rushing over
As the country prepares to usher in 2024, thoroughfares experience significant congestion as residents hurry to reach their destinations and join in the festivities with their loved ones. Watch this video by KT photographer M. Sajjad below:
4.16pm: Early revellers from Panama
For the past couple of months, the Tovio family from Panama has been planning to have a spectacular New Year’s Eve. And now, they’re at the foot of the world’s tallest tower, Burj Khalifa, ready to usher in 2024 with a bang.
They were so excited that they have taken their seats as early as 2pm at the restaurant they’ve booked months ago.
This is the first time that Eduardo Tovio (father), Leydi Rodriguez (mother) and Andrea Tovio (daughter) are visiting Dubai and they have one adjective to describe the city: “Espectacular”.
They started their day with a visit At The Top, Burj Khalifa; enjoyed a panoramic view of the city from 1,821 feet; and relished in the multimedia experience learning the creation of Burj Khalifa and the history of Dubai.
It will be another eight hours before they can witness the spectacular Burj Khalifa show in all its glory, but they say that it’s worth the wait.
They’re already making plans to come back next year.
4.09pm: Key Dubai roads closed
The Roads and Transport Authority has announced the closure of Al Asayel and Burj Khalifa streets. “To reach your destination easily, please use alternative roads,” the authority posted on X.
The Dubai Police had said earlier that they would start closing roads for New Year celebrations from 4pm.
4.05pm: How Dubai prepared for its epic NYE show
Dubai’s NYE celebrations are the stuff of legends. But do you know the intense planning that goes into it?
This year, exactly 11,972 personnel, including 5,574 police officers and 1,525 patrols, civil defence and ambulance vehicles, will ensure a safe start to 2024 for the thousands of people celebrating in Dubai.
About 55 government and private entities in Dubai came together to plan the fireworks and shows that will light up 32 locations across Dubai, including the Burj Khalifa, The Beach, Bluewaters (JBR), Palm Jumeirah and Kite Beach, among others.
4.03pm: Traffic in Dubai begins to build up
Traffic towards the Dubai Mall exit on Sheikh Zayed Road is beginning to build up even though the New Year is more than 8 hours away.
Police patrols are already on site to monitor the situation. Road closures around the Dubai Mall area have begun as part of crowd control measures.
4pm: We’re at the Sheikh Zayed Festival! Are you here too?
The New Year is still eight hours away, but that has not stopped people from turning up at their venues. Here are scenes from Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Festival, which will ring in 2024 with 40 minutes of fireworks: