What To Know
- Seven countdowns at Global Village, dozens of fireworks displays, drone shows at key landmarks, and extended celebrations in Downtown Dubai create a long-form night rather than a single midnight event.
- New Year’s Eve in Dubai heads into 2026 with a city program designed to keep the night active from early evening through late hours.
- The format gives visitors a way to celebrate multiple New Year moments during a single night.
Global Village leads seven time zone countdowns as fireworks and drone shows light Dubai
New Year’s Eve in Dubai heads into 2026 with a city program designed to keep the night active from early evening through late hours. The centerpiece comes from Global Village, where seven countdowns follow different international time zones. The format gives visitors a way to celebrate multiple New Year moments during a single night. Fireworks, drone shows, extended operating hours, and headline entertainment push the city’s end-of-year plans into full focus. From major landmarks to waterfront districts, the celebration touches many corners of Dubai on December 31.
Seven Countdown Moments At Global Village
Global Village schedules seven separate countdowns to welcome 2026 based on time zones tied to key expatriate communities. The countdown for China takes place at 8:00 pm Gulf Standard Time, followed by Thailand at 9:00 pm. Bangladesh follows at 10:00 pm, while India’s New Year moment arrives at 10:30 pm GST. Pakistan marks 2026 at 11:00 pm, the UAE countdown runs at midnight, and Turkey closes the sequence at 1:00 am.
All three gates at Global Village open at 4:00 pm on December 31 and remain accessible until 2:00 am on January 1. The extended schedule allows guests to stay for multiple countdowns rather than a single midnight moment. The setup continues Global Village’s tradition of celebrating the city’s international population through shared events.
Fireworks Planned At 40 Locations
Dubai’s New Year’s Eve plan includes 48 fireworks displays scheduled at 40 different locations. Confirmed sites include Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, Global Village, Downtown Dubai, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Creek Harbour, Palm Jebel Ali, Dubai Festival City, Atlantis The Palm, Bluewaters Island, and Expo City Dubai.
The distribution of fireworks allows spectators to watch celebrations from multiple districts rather than gathering at a single venue. Waterfront areas, urban centers, and entertainment zones all feature programmed displays as the city transitions into 2026.
Drone Shows Add Another Layer To The Night
In addition to fireworks, Dubai schedules drone shows at three locations on New Year’s Eve. These include Global Village, JBR, and Dubai Frame. The drone displays introduce coordinated aerial visuals that run alongside the fireworks schedule. Each location hosts its own show, adding variety to the evening for residents and visitors watching from different areas.
Downtown Dubai Extends Celebrations Into January
Downtown Dubai continues its New Year celebrations beyond December 31, with events scheduled through January 7. The extended timeline keeps the area active during the first week of 2026. A major highlight includes a live appearance by Shah Rukh Khan at Burj Park. The event adds a headline entertainment moment near the Burj Khalifa as part of the Downtown program.
Dubai’s New Year’s Eve plans for 2026 focus on variety, timing, and citywide participation. Seven countdowns at Global Village, dozens of fireworks displays, drone shows at key landmarks, and extended celebrations in Downtown Dubai create a long-form night rather than a single midnight event. The structure allows different communities to celebrate on familiar time zones while sharing the same city atmosphere. As December 31 unfolds, Dubai presents a New Year’s Eve designed to keep the city active well into January.
