Now if we talk about New Year's Eve, Dubai is one of those cities where the celebration starts many days before 31st December itself. Hotels put out their packages, cruise operators start taking bookings and the whole city gets ready for the big night. Since the majority of the people coming here want to know where they should actually go, this is a very common question that tourists and residents both ask. A new year party Dubai has for every kind of group, whether its family, couples or friends, so it really depends on what type of night you want. Here are five places that do the job well.
Downtown Dubai - Burj Khalifa Fireworks and Countdown
This is the most famous one and for good reason. At midnight the Burj Khalifa lights up with fireworks and LED show, and thousands of people around Dubai Mall and Burj Park count down together. Watching from outside is free. But roads start closing from afternoon and good spots get full very early, so my suggestion is to reach by 4 or 5 pm and take the Metro instead of car. Suppose you want to sit comfortably and have dinner also, then nearby restaurants and hotels sell NYE packages with direct tower view, but these get booked out weeks ago.
Dubai Marina - Dhow Cruise and Yacht Parties
When it about avoiding the crowd, a cruise in Dubai Marina is the best option. The dhow cruise on this night usually comes with buffet dinner, some live entertainment and a view of the skyline when fireworks start. For groups, private yacht is a big plus point since you get your own space and music. Rates are higher than normal days so book early.
Palm Jumeirah - Beach Parties and Gala Nights
Palm Jumeirah is for people who want the premium side of the night. Atlantis The Palm does a big NYE gala with fireworks over the Palm, and the beach clubs around the island run their own parties with DJs and live acts. Tickets are on the expensive side and they go quickly. Having said that, if you want a new year party in Dubai with sand under your feet, this area is hard to beat.
Global Village - Family Celebration All Night
Families with small kids should look at Global Village seriously. The park celebrates new year more than once in the same night, with countdowns and fireworks for different countries time zones, so kids can see fireworks early and go home before they get tired. Entry is affordable and there is food from almost every country.
Desert Camps - New Year Under the Stars
And if city noise is not your thing, a New Year's Eve desert safari comes into the picture. The evening starts with dune bashing, then BBQ dinner at the camp with tanoura and fire shows. After that you do the countdown under open sky, far from the traffic and buildings. Some camps also arranged their own small fireworks. Couples and tourists who already saw the Burj Khalifa fireworks once usually like this option a lot because it feels different.
Surgery
At the end of the day, every place on this list gives a different kind of night and none of them is a wrong choice. Its more about your group and your budget. Whatever you choose, book early because last week of December is peak season in Dubai and the good options get sold out fast.
Downtown Dubai - Burj Khalifa Fireworks and Countdown
This is the most famous one and for good reason. At midnight the Burj Khalifa lights up with fireworks and LED show, and thousands of people around Dubai Mall and Burj Park count down together. Watching from outside is free. But roads start closing from afternoon and good spots get full very early, so my suggestion is to reach by 4 or 5 pm and take the Metro instead of car. Suppose you want to sit comfortably and have dinner also, then nearby restaurants and hotels sell NYE packages with direct tower view, but these get booked out weeks ago.
Dubai Marina - Dhow Cruise and Yacht Parties
When it about avoiding the crowd, a cruise in Dubai Marina is the best option. The dhow cruise on this night usually comes with buffet dinner, some live entertainment and a view of the skyline when fireworks start. For groups, private yacht is a big plus point since you get your own space and music. Rates are higher than normal days so book early.
Palm Jumeirah - Beach Parties and Gala Nights
Palm Jumeirah is for people who want the premium side of the night. Atlantis The Palm does a big NYE gala with fireworks over the Palm, and the beach clubs around the island run their own parties with DJs and live acts. Tickets are on the expensive side and they go quickly. Having said that, if you want a new year party in Dubai with sand under your feet, this area is hard to beat.
Global Village - Family Celebration All Night
Families with small kids should look at Global Village seriously. The park celebrates new year more than once in the same night, with countdowns and fireworks for different countries time zones, so kids can see fireworks early and go home before they get tired. Entry is affordable and there is food from almost every country.
Desert Camps - New Year Under the Stars
And if city noise is not your thing, a New Year's Eve desert safari comes into the picture. The evening starts with dune bashing, then BBQ dinner at the camp with tanoura and fire shows. After that you do the countdown under open sky, far from the traffic and buildings. Some camps also arranged their own small fireworks. Couples and tourists who already saw the Burj Khalifa fireworks once usually like this option a lot because it feels different.
Surgery
At the end of the day, every place on this list gives a different kind of night and none of them is a wrong choice. Its more about your group and your budget. Whatever you choose, book early because last week of December is peak season in Dubai and the good options get sold out fast.