By Harry Nara · Last updated
- Where
- Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, and across the city
- Tickets
- Free
- Time of year
- December to January
- Dates
- Around the same dates every year
Thursday 31 December 2026 into Friday 1 January 2027, a public holiday. Emaar publishes the Burj Khalifa programme and any paid viewing on its New Year site, usually in December, and the RTA announces Metro hours and road closures in the last fortnight of the year.
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Dubai’s New Year is built around the countdown at the Burj Khalifa, where fireworks run up the tower at midnight with a light show and the fountain below. It is far from the only display: in a recent year Dubai Police listed 48 fireworks shows at 40 locations, from the Burj Al Arab and the Palm to Global Village and Al Seef. The Burj Khalifa show is free to watch from Downtown’s public spaces, which fill and close by the evening, and Emaar has also sold a paid viewing zone. The Metro has run around the clock for the night, and the roads around Downtown close from the afternoon.
What Dubai New Year’s Eve actually is
The Burj Khalifa countdown is one of the most watched New Year moments anywhere: fireworks fired from the tower itself, a light and laser show along its facade and the fountain in the lake below, all timed to midnight. Emaar, which owns the tower and the district around it, announces each year’s programme in December.
Elsewhere, Dubai stages shows of its own. In a recent year the police, who coordinate the night, listed 48 fireworks displays across 40 locations, among them the Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, JBR, Dubai Frame, Al Seef and Global Village.
New Year’s Day is a holiday too, and the night falls at the peak of the winter season, so hotels are at their dearest of the year and restaurant tables facing the tower are sold as set packages.
Where to watch
- Downtown, free. Souk Al Bahar, the Dubai Mall waterfront and Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard all face the tower and cost nothing, but they fill from the afternoon and close once full. Arrive early with water and patience, because you will be standing for hours.
- Burj Park, paid. Emaar has sold this lawn beside the tower as Downtown’s ticketed viewing zone, with entertainment through the evening; in a recent year adult tickets cost close to a thousand dirhams.
- Away from Downtown. The beaches at JBR and Kite Beach face the Burj Al Arab display, and the Palm, Al Seef and Global Village have shows of their own, with far easier access than the tower.
Tickets and what it costs
Watching is free; paying buys space and a seat. Emaar publishes any ticketed areas on its New Year site in December, and restaurants and hotels facing the tower sell set menus from about Dh2,000 to Dh20,000 a table. Hotel galas, such as the one at Atlantis The Palm, are concerts at concert prices.
Rooms cost more on this night than on any other in the Dubai year, so book early and read the cancellation terms closely.
Official information and booking: mydubainewyear.emaar.com/en
Getting there
Take the Metro. In a recent year it ran for 43 hours without a break, from early on New Year’s Eve to the end of New Year’s Day; the RTA announces each year’s hours and station closures in December, and the station nearest the tower can close in the evening, so plan to walk from the next one.
Roads around Downtown close in phases from the afternoon, taxis are scarce after midnight and parking near the tower goes early, so do not plan to drive. Late December evenings are cool; bring a layer for the wait.
Mistakes worth avoiding
Arriving in Downtown after dark
The free areas fill from the afternoon and close once full. Be in place hours before midnight.
Driving in
Roads close in phases from the afternoon. Use the Metro and walk the last part.
Booking the hotel late
This is the dearest week of the Dubai year. Book as early as you can.
Forgetting the other shows
If Downtown is full, the Burj Al Arab and the Palm have fireworks of their own with easier access.
Other Dubai events
Frequently asked questions
When are the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Dubai?
At midnight on New Year’s Eve; the dates card above shows this year’s. The Burj Khalifa show combines fireworks, a light show and the fountain.
Is it free to watch the Burj Khalifa fireworks?
Yes, from Downtown’s public spaces, which close once full. Emaar has also sold a paid viewing area, Burj Park, and restaurants sell tables with a view.
How many fireworks displays are there in Dubai on New Year’s Eve?
In a recent year Dubai Police listed 48 displays across 40 locations; the count is published again each December.
Does the Dubai Metro run all night on New Year’s Eve?
In a recent year it ran for 43 hours without a break. The RTA confirms each year’s hours in December.
Where can I watch the fireworks away from the Burj Khalifa crowds?
At JBR or Kite Beach for the Burj Al Arab display, or at Al Seef, the Palm or Global Village, each with its own show.
Sources
- Emaar, New Year at the Burj Khalifa
- Gulf News, the fireworks locations map in a recent year
- Gulf News, the RTA’s Metro hours and road closures in a recent year
Dates on this page are checked against the organiser’s own listing and confirmed through 2027. Written and maintained by Harry Nara.