No one does New Year's Eve quite like Dubai! Sure, New York is pretty famous, London is admittedly spectacular, and Paris shines unlike any other. But when it comes to this particular holiday, Dubai arguably trumps them all! It's like the entire sprawling metropolis turns into one huge party, with bright fireworks going off here and loud music playing there. People are out dancing, partying, singing while jumping for joy, and so much more. It's an unforgettable experience, that's for sure! And if you're lucky enough to be in the city during this holiday, you'll have the time of your life!
UPDATE: Due to the Omicron variant of Covid-19, many of the events listed in this article have been canceled. Please be advised.
Watch The Fireworks
It's safe to say that Duba's fireworks displays have trumped even New York's iconic Ball Drop during New Year's Eve. The ones by Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, and the ones in
Atlantis, The Palm, are truly spectacular. They brighten up the New Year sky so spectacularly, you can almost mistake it to be morning already. Fortunately, these extravagant displays are often televised right as the clock strikes twelve. But if you're already in Dubai yourself, you shouldn't miss out on seeing them in person. It's a totally different experience, that's for sure!
Hangout at Downtown Dubai
Among
Dubai's many districts, its downtown area is arguably the liveliest during New Year's Eve. With hotspots hosting parties, people dancing on the streets, and a magical fireworks display come midnight, there's probably no place you'd rather be in the city at this time. What's so great about it is that Downtown Dubai is so alive, you can really feel that it's New Year's Eve here! Because of the UAE's culture and religion, some parts of the city tend to be quiet during this holiday. You'd have never thought it was New Year's Eve if you went there. But in Downtown Dubai, it's one huge party—the type of lively celebration you'd expect for this holiday!
Party The Night Away
Speaking of partying, that's one thing you just have to do when you're celebrating New Year's Eve in Dubai. From crowded bars to loud nightclubs, practically every hotspot in town hosts its own party on this long and lively night. Think world-famous DJs playing their popular sets, popping champagne bottles left and right, and dancing until you're too exhausted to move anymore. That's the other side of Dubai's New Year's Eve celebrations you just have to experience at least once.
Time Out Dubai even listed down which of the city's hotspots will host parties to welcome 2022 and the list is so long, it'll take some time to read it all!
Host a Yacht Party
Partying during New Year's Eve is all well and good, but if you're more into an intimate soiree than a crowded rave, why not hold yours on a yacht instead? Or go to another yacht party yourself so you don't have to do through all the fuss of hosting one. Dubai is a lap of luxury in the Middle East and part of that high-class culture is yachting. And let's face it, five-star hotels and resorts aside, there's arguably nothing more luxurious than welcoming the new year on a yacht. Imagine popping open a bottle of champagne, eating delicious food, all while you're sailing off on Business Bay as you watch the fireworks.
Dine at The Top
If you'd prefer a more peaceful way to celebrate New Year's Eve, especially if it's just you and your significant other, there's nothing quite like eating dinner at a rooftop hotspot. There are plenty of them in Dubai, ranging from
upscale restaurants to luxury hotels, all of which serve delicious food and provide top-notch ambiance for your pleasure. But why go to the rooftop, you ask? So that you can still watch the fireworks, of course! Imagine indulging in haute cuisine while Dubai's famous fireworks displays start. You'll probably be on eye-to-eye level with these fireworks when they go off too! Wouldn't that be amazing?
Hold a Picnic on The Desert
On the opposite side of the spectrum, instead of dining at the top, why not eat on the ground instead? No, this isn't to say that you should sit on any floor and just eat off of your plate.
Social customs dictate that you shouldn't do that. But since Dubai is surrounded by desert, there's always the option of going to one, camping out, and even setting up a New Year's Eve picnic while you're at it. If you truly want to experience a one-of-a-kind holiday celebration, you won't get any more unique than this! Though you might not see any fireworks in the desert, the twinkling stars would be enough to dazzle you at the start of the new year!
Go on a Staycation
If you've been living in Dubai for a long time now, there was probably a point in your life where all of these novel New Year's Eve celebration ideas have gotten old. And when you've reached that point, the only thing left to do is to simply enjoy life in this beautiful, sprawling metropolis. One of the best ways to do that is to go on a staycation. Why go through all the trouble of hosting a party or preparing a New Year's Eve dinner when you can simply luxuriate and get pampered in a five-star hotel? Talk about starting the new year right!
New Year's Eve in Dubai is out of this world! The way they celebrate and welcome the new year is unlike any other. And if you're lucky enough to be here at this time, you'll likely have the time of your life!
At the end of the day—or in this case, the night!—your best New Year's Eve hotspot in Dubai is your own
luxury home here!
