The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will stage New Year celebrations across all seven emirates on December 31, 2025, with organisers planning fireworks displays, drone shows and attempts at multiple Guinness World Records.
Al Wathba in Abu Dhabi will host what the Supreme Organising Committee of the Sheikh Zayed Festival describes as one of the region’s events. The committee has completed preparations for a programme that will run for more than an hour, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) said in a statement.
Abu Dhabi plans 62-minute fireworks display at Al Wathba
The fireworks display will begin at 20:00 and continue until midnight, with organisers attempting to set five Guinness World Records across five time segments. The main display at midnight will run for 62 minutes without interruption.
UAE festival attendees will see 6,500 drones operating at the same time for 20 minutes. The drones will create nine formations that will be shown globally for the first time, synchronised with the countdown and fireworks.
Dubai will stage 48 fireworks displays across 40 locations, with the Security Industry Regulatory Agency supervising the events alongside other authorities.
The displays will take place at Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Frame, Expo City Dubai, Global Village, Bluewaters, Al Seef, Dubai Festival City, Hatta, Atlantis The Palm and Marsa Al Arab.
The Dubai Shopping Festival will present what organisers call the region’s narrative aerial drone show at Bluewaters Island and The Beach JBR. The show will use drones and fire effects.
Ras Al Khaimah prepares record-breaking six-kilometre display
Ras Al Khaimah is preparing a display that will stretch six kilometres from Al Marjan Island to Al Hamra Island in an attempt to set a Guinness World Records title.
The 15-minute show will combine fireworks, drones and laser technologies. More than 2,300 drones will participate, and organisers plan to launch what they describe as the fireworks shell at midnight.
Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, Shurooq, announced a programme in cooperation with the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority.
Sharjah offers free entry to New Year events across six destinations
Ten-minute fireworks displays will take place at Al Majaz Waterfront, Al Heera Beach and Khorfakkan Beach. The programme will include six destinations, among them Al Noor Island and Mleiha National Park.
Events will begin at 20:00 on December 31, 2025 and will be free and open to the public.
Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain will also host New Year’s Eve events.
The celebrations across the UAE aim to position the country as a destination for events, combining what organisers describe as visual displays, cultural programming and safety standards.
