Al Wathba will host a New Year’s Eve celebration on December 31, 2025, featuring a 62-minute fireworks display and a drone performance involving 6,500 aircraft, the Higher Committee of the Sheikh Zayed Festival has announced.
The fireworks show will attempt to break five Guinness World Records.
The display will begin at 8pm and continue in five stages, with the final segment running for 62 minutes from midnight.
Sheikh Zayed Festival announces 6,500-drone display for New Year’s Eve celebration
The fireworks will use synchronisation and launch technologies to illuminate the Al Wathba skyline. The drone show will feature 6,500 drones performing nine formations in a single 20-minute sortie, integrated with a digital countdown and the fireworks display.
“The celebration reinforces the festival’s position as a global platform for culture, entertainment, and community connection,” the Emirates News Agency (WAM) said in a statement.
Official sponsors and strategic partners will contribute elements across the festival grounds. Government partners will present cultural activations focused on Emirati heritage and identity, while technical partners will provide lighting, laser and drone technologies.
Participating countries will present artistic, cultural and musical programmes. The committee said this participation “underscores the vital role of partnerships in elevating national events and enhancing the festival’s position as a leading global cultural destination”.
The festival will host traditional Emirati performances including Al Ayala, Al Razfa and Al Nadooba, featuring hundreds of performers. International performance groups will also participate.
Participating countries will present carnival-style parades, musical shows and cultural demonstrations throughout the evening. Family programming will include children’s shows on the Kids’ Theatre and activities in Wonderland entertainment city, which opened in December 2025.
Al Wathba festival announces expanded preparations for New Year’s Eve crowds
The Higher Committee announced expanded operations to accommodate anticipated crowds. Measures include increased entry and exit gates, wider pedestrian paths, strengthened safety and medical support services, and deployment of field teams to ensure visitor movement.
Entry will close when the site reaches capacity to maintain safety, the committee confirmed. The public has been urged to follow official channels and secure tickets early to ensure entry.
“These preparations reflect the Sheikh Zayed Festival’s vision to deliver one of the region’s most remarkable New Year celebrations, combining tradition, innovation, and global entertainment to welcome 2026 in a truly exceptional atmosphere,” WAM added.
