Abu Dhabi rang in 2026 with a 62-minute continuous fireworks show at Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, the longest in the festival's history, alongside a 6,500-drone display and a live Alicia Keys performance on Saadiyat Island. Over 163,000 people attended the festival grounds that night, and more than half a million watched the fireworks from public areas across the emirate.
Abu Dhabi has not yet announced its plans for December 31, 2026. This guide is built on the confirmed 2025 celebration, the most recent one on record, and on the pattern the emirate has repeated for several years running. Where something is locked in for the next event, it's marked. Where it isn't, that's stated too.
Where to Watch, Venue by Venue:Based on the confirmed December 31, 2025 celebration
01 — 62 minutes of continuous fireworks, five new Guinness World RecordsSheikh Zayed Festival, Al Wathba:
This is Abu Dhabi's headline New Year's Eve event, and the 2025 edition set out specifically to break records. The festival ran a five-stage fireworks program from 8pm, building to a continuous 62-minute main display at midnight, one of the longest ever staged in the country. Five new Guinness World Records came out of that single show, including the largest number of waterfalls, whistle-sound, thunder, and ring-shaped fireworks launched within 30 seconds.
A drone show ran alongside it: 6,500 drones forming nine giant aerial formations over 20 minutes, synchronized to music and built around Emirati heritage and pearl-diving imagery. Entry cost Dh10. More than 163,000 people attended the grounds that night, with viewing from the Camping Village, Heritage Village, and Majlis zones.
02 — Alicia Keys headlined Saadiyat Nights for NYE 2025/26Saadiyat Island:
Saadiyat Island combined a major concert with fireworks viewing for the 2025/26 celebration. Alicia Keys performed live on December 31 as part of the third edition of Saadiyat Nights, an open-air concert series. Egyptian singer Ramy Sabry also performed at Abu Dhabi's MOTN Festival the same night. Fireworks lit up the Water Canal opposite the Cultural District, with additional displays visible from Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, and Saadiyat Beach Club.
03 — John Legend headlined the 2025/26 gala, fireworks visible without a ticketEmirates Palace:
Emirates Palace ran its New Year's Eve gala with a live performance from John Legend, paired with fireworks at midnight. Gala dinner tickets came at a premium price, but the fireworks themselves were visible from neighboring buildings, roads, and surrounding open areas without entering the venue. That makes the Palace a workable option even for travelers who skip the formal dinner.
04 — 8 kilometers of free public waterfrontAbu Dhabi Corniche:
The Corniche stretches 8 kilometers along the city's waterfront and remains the most reliable free option for fireworks viewing. The 2025/26 display ran roughly 10 minutes, visible along most of the promenade. Corniche Beach, the MOTN Festival grounds, and Manar at Lulu Island all offer organized viewing areas without a ticket requirement. Some visitors rent jet skis to watch from the water, though the bay gets crowded as midnight approaches.
05 — Yas Bay Waterfront's rooftop lounges face the fireworks directlyYas Island and Yas Bay:
Yas Island runs on entertainment and nightlife year-round, and New Year's Eve is no exception. Yas Bay Waterfront's rooftop lounges and restaurants offer direct sightlines to the fireworks, and public areas around Yas Bay and Yas Marina give free viewing without booking a table. Manar at Samaliyah Island adds a further vantage point. Hotels across the island typically run their own countdown parties alongside the public displays.
06 — Urban waterfront views from five-star hotel terracesAl Maryah Island:
Al Maryah Island sits next to Reem Island and offers a more polished, urban backdrop than the Corniche or the desert venues. Fireworks here are best viewed from five-star hotel terraces, including Rosewood Abu Dhabi and Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi, both of which run restaurants and lounges with waterfront sightlines. Public outdoor promenade areas also catch the display without requiring a dinner reservation.
07 — Cycling, surfing, and padel by day, a 5-minute show by nightAl Hudayriyat Island:
Al Hudayriyat Island runs a quieter, more laid-back New Year's Eve than the city center venues. The 2025/26 fireworks display ran around 5 minutes over the waterfront, modest compared to Sheikh Zayed Festival's 62 minutes, but the island's appeal lies in the full day around it. Visitors spend the afternoon cycling, surfing, or playing padel before settling into beachfront picnic areas or the Bab Al Nojoum glamping site for the evening show.
08 — Fireworks over the dunes at Tal Moreeb, the 'Scary Mountain'Liwa and the Western Region:
Liwa offers the desert version of Abu Dhabi's New Year's Eve, centered on the Liwa Festival and the towering dunes near Tal Moreeb, known locally as the "Scary Mountain." Fireworks are visible from the main festival areas, Liwa Village, and the surrounding dunes themselves. The Western Region more broadly, including the small town of Ghiyathi, offers fireworks viewing from areas like the Tamm Centre, with the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort serving as a luxury base nearby.
Where to Book a Table for New Year's Eve:26 confirmed venues from the December 31, 2025 celebration, with prices and contact details
The fireworks viewing spots above are free or low-cost. If you want a sit-down dinner, a gala, or a party with a table booked in advance, here's where Abu Dhabi's hotels and restaurants ran their New Year's Eve packages for 2025 into 2026. Prices are per person unless stated otherwise, and most venues offer a soft drinks tier, a house beverages tier, and a premium or bubbly tier. Call ahead or book online, since the venues below sold out their preferred seating well before December 31.
Sorted roughly by price, from headline galas to casual sit-downs. All details below are from the confirmed 2025/26 season and will be updated once 2026/27 packages are announced.
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental:
The city's headline gala. John Legend performed live for the 2025/26 edition, hosted with the Department of Culture and Tourism. Seating runs in silver, gold, platinum, and royal tiers, starting with a mixed-drink reception, a gala dinner with multiple tasting courses, and an after-party on the Palace Terrace.
Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island:
A red-and-silver gala dinner with a mixed-drink reception in the Grand Lobby, followed by an outdoor table with live dancers, musicians, and DJs into the early hours. Kids' activities include a magic show, face painting, and a cartoon cinema.
Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi (Le Cabaret Rouge):
A crimson-themed party in the Imperial Ballroom with a mixed-drink reception, caviar and oysters, then a four-course set menu with a live band and dance show.
The Park, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi:
A Roaring Twenties theme with a bubbly tower, on Saadiyat Island. Runs an elegant set menu with free-flowing drinks into the early hours.
Al Falaj, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort:
An open-air majlis dinner in the desert with live cooking stations, surrounded by sand and stars, not a city skyline. The evening wraps up before midnight.
Amwaj Beach, Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island:
A beachfront dinner with live cooking stations, followed by a beach party to watch the fireworks at midnight. Runs a separate, lower-priced kids' rate.
99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant:
A set sushi menu with free-flowing drinks and live dancers, running straight through midnight. Seating options scale by view: sofa, window, or terrace.
Pearl Lounge, Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi:
A gala dinner with a live band on the West Corniche, with the option of an indoor table or a terrace seat at a higher price tier. Kids' pricing available at both levels.
Saadiyat Beach Club (Glam and Gold NYE Gala):
A beachfront buffet built around caviar, king crab, and poached lobster, with live barbecue grills and a three-piece band ahead of the midnight fireworks.
Asia Asia, Yas Bay:
A four-course Pan-Asian menu with a direct view of the Yas Bay fireworks. The terrace seats sell out earliest given the view, so indoor and outdoor pricing differ.
Cabana Beach Bar, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi:
An al fresco beachfront party with a six-piece band, built specifically for dancing, not a formal seated dinner.
Giornotte, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi:
An outdoor promenade dinner with a buffet running from fresh oysters to wagyu beef and foie gras, paired with hours of live performances.
Café del Mar, Yas Bay:
A buffet and live band with a clear view of the Yas Bay fireworks at midnight, run at a single flat price, with no tiered beverage packages.
Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche:
A beachfront gala dinner with a Brazilian dance troupe, a fire show, and a midnight fireworks view directly from the property.
Ishtar Yas Marina:
A rooftop dinner overlooking Yas Marina with a four-course menu and a clear sightline to the midnight fireworks.
Lock, Stock & Barrel, Yas Bay Waterfront:
A high-energy party bar with live bands, DJs, and confetti, plus a front-row seat to the Yas Bay fireworks without booking a dinner table.
Bushra by Buddha-Bar, Yas Bay:
A three-course sharing menu in a deliberately photogenic setting, with a live DJ to carry the night past the meal itself.
Andaz Capital Gate Abu Dhabi:
A terrace gala dinner at the leaning Capital Gate tower, with a live DJ and a glass of bubbly to mark midnight from one of the city's more unusual settings.
Flamingo Room by tashas, Al Maryah Island:
A Cirque Afrique soirée with canapés on arrival and an à la carte menu, positioned right at the water's edge for a fireworks view, with an after-party at Perlage to follow.
Marmoura Lebanese Restaurant & Lounge, Al Hudayriyat Island:
A three-course traditional Lebanese menu with unlimited soft drinks and a direct fireworks view, at one of the lower price points on this list.
Bab Al Nojoum, Hudayriyat Island (Gala Dinner Buffet):
A relaxed coastal buffet with a seasonal spread, suited to an earlier family sitting before the island's later glow party kicks in.
Bab Al Nojoum, Hudayriyat Island (New Year's Glow Party):
The later, separate event at the same venue: a neon after-party with live DJ sets, a fire show, and the Marsana fireworks display.
Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana:
An earlier, family-oriented gala dinner with a grand buffet, live violin and saxophone, and crafts for children, finishing well before the midnight countdown.
Hemingway's Pub, Radisson Blu Corniche:
The most casual option on this list: an à la carte pub menu, live music, and no set package price, suited to a low-key family evening.
Porter's English Pub, Grand Millennium Al Wahda:
A costume-friendly pub night with live music and a prize for the best outfit, priced as a simple entry-plus-drinks deal.
The Warehouse, Pearl Rotana Capital Centre:
The lowest entry price on this list: a tapas and house drinks package by the hour, for travelers who want a casual countdown without a full dinner commitment.
Getting there, Staying, and What it Costs:The logistics that don't change much from year to year
Flights and arrival:
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) takes direct flights from most of Europe, the wider Gulf, and major Asian hubs. From Dubai International (DXB), it's roughly 90 kilometers, about 75 to 90 minutes by car under normal traffic, longer on December 31 itself.
Where to stay:
Hotels near the Corniche, Saadiyat Island, or Sheikh Zayed Festival put you closest to the action. Emirates Palace, the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, and Rosewood Abu Dhabi all sit within view of a fireworks display without leaving the property.
Weather on the night:
Late December sits in Abu Dhabi's mild season, with daytime temperatures around 18°C to 28°C (64°F to 82°F). Evenings cool further, especially in the desert at Liwa or Al Wathba; bring a light jacket if you're outdoors past 10pm.
Alcohol and public behavior:
Alcohol is served only in licensed venues: hotel bars, restaurants, and clubs. Drinking or public intoxication outside those venues, including on the Corniche or beaches, can result in fines. Public displays of affection are also discouraged.
Booking timeline:
Book hotel rooms and gala tickets 2 to 3 months ahead if a specific fireworks view or headline act matters to you. Rooms with confirmed views and in-house countdown events sell out well before December.
Emergency numbers:
Police: 999. Ambulance: 998. Fire: 997. Abu Dhabi Police run a dedicated operations center for NYE crowd and traffic management each year, coordinated with venue security teams.
What to Eat over the New Year:Emirati dishes that show up at festive gatherings
New Year's Eve is not a traditional Emirati holiday, but several dishes appear at festive family gatherings across the season. Al Harees, a slow-cooked porridge of wheat and meat flavored with cardamom and saffron, takes hours to prepare and is reserved for special occasions. Al Majboos, often called kabsa elsewhere in the Gulf, layers basmati rice with chicken, lamb, or fish under a blend of spices, fried onions, raisins, and nuts. Al Mandi follows a similar format but gets cooked in an underground clay oven, which gives the meat a smoky finish that an ordinary stovetop can't replicate.
For dessert, luqaimat shows up everywhere: small fried dough balls drizzled with date syrup and dusted in sesame seeds. Dates and Arabic coffee, gahwa, flavored with cardamom, are the standard welcome gesture for guests at any Emirati gathering, festive season or not.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's):
Q. What time do New Year's Eve fireworks start in Abu Dhabi?
For NYE 2025 into 2026, the Sheikh Zayed Festival ran a five-stage program from 8pm, building to a continuous 62-minute main fireworks display at midnight. Smaller displays around the Corniche and Saadiyat Island run shorter, typically 3 to 10 minutes, timed to midnight.
Q. How much does it cost to watch fireworks in Abu Dhabi on New Year's Eve?
Sheikh Zayed Festival charged Dh10 entry for NYE 2025 into 2026. The Corniche, Saadiyat Beach, and Al Hudayriyat Island fireworks are visible free from public waterfront areas. Hotel galas and ticketed events run far higher, often AED 500 or more per person.
Q. Is alcohol available on New Year's Eve in Abu Dhabi?
Yes, in licensed venues only, meaning hotel bars, restaurants, and clubs. Drinking in public spaces, including the Corniche and beaches, is not permitted, and public intoxication can result in fines or arrest.
Q. What is the best place to watch fireworks in Abu Dhabi without buying a ticket?
The Abu Dhabi Corniche offers free, unticketed views along 8 kilometers of waterfront. Al Hudayriyat Island's beachfront areas and Saadiyat Beach also offer free public viewing of nearby fireworks.
Q. Has Abu Dhabi announced New Year's Eve plans for December 2026?
Not yet, as of June 2026. Sheikh Zayed Festival's current season runs through March 22, 2026, and the next NYE lineup is typically announced in early December. This guide is built on the confirmed December 31, 2025 celebration and will be updated once 2026 details are released.
Q. Where did Alicia Keys perform on New Year's Eve in Abu Dhabi?
Alicia Keys performed at Saadiyat Nights on Saadiyat Island on December 31, 2025, as part of the third edition of that concert series. It is not confirmed whether the same lineup or venue will repeat for December 2026.
Q. How far in advance should I book a hotel for New Year's Eve in Abu Dhabi?
Book 2 to 3 months ahead for hotels near Sheikh Zayed Festival, the Corniche, or Saadiyat Island. Rooms with confirmed fireworks views or in-house galas sell out earlier, and rates rise sharply once December bookings open.
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