The United Arab Emirates is set to usher in New Year 2026 with one of its most ambitious and visually striking celebrations to date, featuring record-breaking fireworks, large-scale drone displays, and immersive light shows across all seven emirates.
The nationwide festivities reaffirm the UAE’s reputation as a global destination for world-class, safe, and innovative celebrations.
In Abu Dhabi, the Al Wathba area will host one of the region’s largest New Year’s Eve events as part of the Sheikh Zayed Festival. The programme includes a fireworks display lasting more than an hour, with five planned Guinness World Records attempts across multiple time segments, culminating in a continuous 62-minute midnight show. The celebration will also feature a 20-minute drone performance using 6,500 drones to create nine large-scale artistic scenes, presented globally for the first time, alongside cultural and heritage activities.
Dubai will light up its skyline with more than 48 fireworks displays across 40 locations, coordinated with relevant authorities. Iconic landmarks such as Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Frame, Expo City Dubai, Global Village, Atlantis The Palm, Bluewaters, and Hatta will host celebrations. In addition, the Dubai Shopping Festival will showcase the region’s largest narrative drone show at Bluewaters Island and The Beach JBR, featuring enhanced drone speed, brightness, and fire effects.
Ras Al Khaimah is preparing its largest-ever New Year display, stretching over six kilometres from Al Marjan Island to Al Hamra Island. The 15-minute show will combine fireworks, lasers, and over 2,300 drones, concluding with the launch of the largest fireworks shell ever, in an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record.
Sharjah will host ten-minute fireworks shows at Al Majaz Waterfront, Al Heera Beach, and Khorfakkan Beach, alongside celebrations at several family-friendly destinations. Festivities will also take place across Ajman, Fujairah, and Umm Al Qaiwain, offering free public celebrations that blend visual spectacle, cultural diversity, and strong safety standards as the UAE welcomes 2026 in a spirit of unity and celebration.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
