Abu Dhabi’s New Year’s Eve is a fantastic show with bright fireworks, exciting activities and a festive mood that covers the city. Abu Dhabi has several venues in which to celebrate and usher in the New Year regardless of whether you live in the city or are a visiting guest. Abu Dhabi’s New Year’s Eve 2025 fireworks show promises to be one for the ages — and this comprehensive guide will help you experience the magic.
Where to Watch the Fireworks
1. Abu Dhabi Corniche
A classic place to celebrate New Year’s Eve is the Abu Dhabi Corniche. Midnight fireworks are visible from the 8km waterfront promenade. Once you arrive, you can enjoy food, drink or a meal with restaurants, cafes and bars along the stretch, or you can wait for the spectacular light display.
- Schedule: Midnight, January 1, 2025
2. Yas Bay Waterfront
Two firework displays welcome 2025 at Yas Bay Waterfront. The family show starts early in the evening, the first show, then there's the traditional midnight show to cap off the night.
- Schedule: 9:00 PM and Midnight, December 31, 2024
3. Marsana at Hudayriyat Island
Formerly, with a setting consisting of a midnight fireworks display that lights up the night sky, Marsana was a picturesque setting. There are also food trucks, cafes and activities at the location you can try out.
- Schedule: Midnight, January 1, 2025
4. Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival (Al Wathba)
The Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival is known for its grand celebrations and this year will also include 50 minutes of fireworks and a 20 minute drone show with lasers and lights. The event promises to break multiple Guinness World Records and is a must see.
- Schedule: Midnight, January 1, 2025
5. Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
The luxury of Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental is fused with amazing fireworks. There will be special dinner, live performances and a great view of the display for the guests.
- Schedule: Midnight, January 1, 2025
6. Liwa Festival (Tal Moreeb)
At the heart of the desert, fireworks are a spectacular sight for visitors at the Liwa Festival. The fireworks will be visible from main spots around the Tal Moreeb dune and festival grounds.
- Schedule: Midnight, January 1, 2025
7. Ghayathi
In Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra – its western region – you can also celebrate the New Year with vibrant fireworks but it is a more serene and less crowded affair than the city.
- Schedule: Midnight, January 1, 2025
8. Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
The Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain will fire up fireworks to usher in the New Year. If you want to celebrate away from the city center, it’s a great option.
- Schedule: Midnight, January 1, 2025
Other Places
The New Year’s Eve fireworks in Abu Dhabi are just a small part of the celebration. Dubai also has great fireworks that they put up in the sky if you plan to explore other parts of the UAE. Here’s a look at the top fireworks events happening in Dubai around the same time:
Dubai National Fireworks Festival 2024
- Schedule: Midnight, December 31, 2024
- Locations to Watch: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Creek, and Dubai Marina. These spots provide some of the best views of the fireworks, so make sure to get there early for a good spot.
Fireworks in Dubai Today Timing 2024
- Schedule: Daily fireworks leading up to New Year’s Eve.
- Locations to Watch: Key spots include the Burj Khalifa, La Mer Beach, and Dubai Festival City Mall. Check local schedules for specific showtimes.
Other Activities to Enjoy
- Andrea Bocelli Live at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental: This year, enjoy an enchanting evening with the legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli, live as part of the New Year’s Eve celebrations. Tickets start from AED 4,000.
- MOTN Festival: Hop on over to the Abu Dhabi Corniche for a festival with live music, food and fireworks. Mohammed Hamaki will sing to you in an Egyptian pop star’s concert, so don’t miss it.
- Dining Experiences: There are gala dinners at Giornotte and West Bay, Asian themed nights at Jing Asia and plenty of other dining options to make your celebration a little bit different.
Tips for a Memorable New Year’s Eve
- Arrive Early: The Corniche, and the Yas Bay Waterfront in particular, are getting popular and can get crowded. Get there early if you’d like to get a good view.
- Book in Advance: Make reservations in advance for ticketed events, or for dining to avoid disappointments at the last minute.
- Dress Comfortably: Although many venues demand dressing up, remember to dress comfortably, particularly if you’ll be outdoors.
- Plan Transportation: Road closures and road congestion are expected. Check public transport or carpool.
New Year’s Eve 2025 in Abu Dhabi will be one to remember with fireworks set to create spectacular scenes to kick off the year ahead. It has many venues and activities from which to choose. Enjoy one of the UAE’s most iconic cities with Halloween festivities, vibrant lights and heartwarming festive atmosphere around dancing with the celebration. Get ready to welcome 2025 in style!
