For the first time ever, Dubai will celebrate New Year’s Eve with an extended eight-day festival, featuring a series of events, performances, and festivities across the city.
Dubai to Celebrate New Year with Eight-Day Festivities for the First Time.
For the very first time, New Year’s Eve celebrations in Downtown Dubai are set to extend well beyond the traditional countdown to midnight, offering residents and visitors an entire week of festivities. Emaar, the developer behind Downtown Dubai, announced on Monday that this year’s celebrations will span eight full days, beginning on December 31 under the iconic Burj Khalifa and continuing through January 7. This extended schedule marks a historic shift for the city, providing more opportunities for people to engage with the New Year festivities, enjoy performances, and witness the world-famous Burj Khalifa light displays over an extended period.
The decision to expand the celebrations reflects Dubai’s growing reputation as a global destination for year-end events, where residents, tourists, and families can immerse themselves in a vibrant atmosphere of entertainment, culture, and spectacle. By stretching the festivities over more days, organizers are aiming to reduce overcrowding during the traditional New Year’s Eve countdown while still delivering the same sense of excitement and spectacle that Downtown Dubai is renowned for.
As with previous years, much of the wider Downtown Dubai celebrations will remain open and free to the public, allowing anyone to experience the energy and vibrancy of the city during this festive period. Families, friends, and visitors can stroll through the area, enjoy live performances, and take in the holiday atmosphere without requiring tickets. Street performers, pop-up entertainment, and interactive installations are expected to be featured throughout the district, creating a lively, family-friendly environment.
However, for those seeking a premium and close-up experience, Emaar is offering ticketed access to Burj Park, which will provide front-row views of the nightly fireworks, light and laser shows, and live entertainment programs. The park will serve as a central hub for visitors who want a more immersive experience, with carefully curated vantage points and additional amenities to enhance comfort and convenience. Ticketed access is intended to ensure a safe, organized, and high-quality experience for guests, particularly during the peak evening hours when the city’s famous New Year displays are at their most spectacular.
The extended format of the celebrations will also allow more flexibility for visitors, enabling them to plan their attendance according to personal schedules and preferences rather than being limited to the traditional one-night event. With eight days of performances, multimedia shows, and interactive attractions, the festivities are designed to appeal to a wide audience, including families, international visitors, and residents looking to enjoy the holiday season in the heart of Dubai.
By announcing this unprecedented eight-day celebration, Emaar has set a new benchmark for New Year’s Eve events in the city. The expanded schedule reflects Dubai’s ambition to be a global hub for large-scale entertainment and festive experiences, combining the iconic skyline with world-class shows, musical performances, and cultural programming. From the striking Burj Khalifa light shows to the lively street performances in Downtown Dubai, the city is poised to deliver a unique and memorable start to 2026 for all who attend.
Organizers of the upcoming New Year’s Eve celebrations in Downtown Dubai have officially launched ticket sales for those seeking premium access to Burj Park, providing front-row views of the spectacular fireworks, light and laser shows, and live performances. Tickets are now available for purchase through the official event website, and guests are encouraged to secure their spots in advance due to anticipated high demand. The ticketing system is designed to ensure a smooth, organized experience for attendees, helping to manage crowd sizes and maintain safety while delivering a memorable festive experience.
For adults, tickets are priced at Dh997.50, inclusive of Value Added Tax (VAT). This pricing covers access to premium areas within Burj Park, where guests can enjoy unobstructed views of the nightly shows, as well as seating arrangements and amenities designed to enhance the comfort and enjoyment of the event. Families looking to attend with children will find a separate pricing structure: tickets for children aged five to twelve years are available at Dh577.50. These tickets allow young attendees to enjoy the same premium experience as adults, with secure access to the front-row areas and the full range of performances and attractions scheduled throughout the eight-day celebrations.
For children under the age of five, entry is free, but a reserved access badge is required to ensure that even the youngest visitors have a designated spot within the park. This measure is intended to maintain safety standards while accommodating families, allowing parents to enjoy the festivities with confidence that their little ones are securely accounted for. The badge system helps organizers manage the flow of attendees and prevent overcrowding in key viewing areas, ensuring a pleasant and orderly environment for everyone.
All tickets, including those for adults, children, and free-entry badges for the youngest visitors, must be purchased online in advance. Organizers emphasized that on-site ticket sales will not be available, making advance purchase essential for anyone planning to access Burj Park during the New Year celebrations. The online ticketing platform allows guests to select their preferred dates, secure their spots quickly, and receive confirmation prior to arrival, simplifying the planning process and reducing waiting times on the day of the event.
This structured ticketing approach reflects the organizers’ commitment to providing a safe, enjoyable, and well-coordinated experience for attendees. By limiting ticketed access to specific areas and requiring online reservations, the event aims to balance high demand with comfort and security, allowing guests to fully enjoy the spectacular performances, fireworks displays, and immersive entertainment without overcrowding or logistical challenges.
Families and visitors are encouraged to plan their attendance carefully, taking into account the age categories and pricing options. With the New Year festivities spanning eight consecutive days, ticket holders can select the day or days that best suit their schedules, ensuring flexibility while enjoying one of Dubai’s most anticipated annual celebrations. By securing tickets online, attendees gain guaranteed access to premium viewing areas and the opportunity to witness the city’s iconic skyline come alive with festive lights and entertainment during this historic eight-day event.
This unprecedented event promises a spectacular lineup of festivities, combining dazzling fireworks displays, live performances, cultural shows, and family-friendly activities. Residents and tourists alike can look forward to enjoying a festive atmosphere that stretches across multiple locations in the city, creating a truly immersive experience. The extended celebrations mark a significant shift from previous single-night events, offering everyone ample opportunity to participate in welcoming the New Year with grandeur, excitement, and the unique vibrancy that Dubai is renowned for.
