
New Year’s Eve is a major occasion in Dubai, and there are plenty of things to do in the city at that time of the year. The weather is usually cool and pleasant across the emirate during the new year, and both the residents and tourists choose to spend the night in different locations, from the desert to a luxury yacht. In this article, take a look at the best destinations in Dubai to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
What makes Dubai a popular destination for new year celebrations
Dubai is one of the top-rated cities in the world to celebrate New Year’s Eve, and the top contenders are London, Sydney, and New York. It is a particularly favorite city for families with children to visit and for people who love to party the night away.
From booking a camping trip in the desert to a New Year’s Eve cruise Dubai package, there are plenty of things to try out. The following are the major reasons why spending the new year in the city is worthwhile.
- Record-breaking firework displays
- Safe city for celebrations
- Nightlife opportunities across the city
- Good camping and picnic spots
- Great maritime leisure opportunities
Record-breaking firework displays
A few years ago, there was an attempt to break the world record with a 1000-meter fireworks display around Burj Khalifa. The shows in the location continue to be spectacular even now. Other spots like Burj Al Arab and The Pointe in Palm Jumeirah are popular options as well.
Safe city for celebrations
The laws of Dubai have been formulated in a way that makes crime rates extremely low in the city. It is regarded as a highly safe destination for tourists to visit, and the cases of violence against them are quite minimal. Plus, the city has often been officially considered one of the safest locations for women to live in and for families to visit.
Considering these factors, travelers in Dubai find it stress-free to spend the night celebrating the new year in Dubai. There will be law enforcement officers patrolling the city throughout the night, and you can enjoy a safe time exploring the events across the city.
Nightlife opportunities across the city
There is a wide range of nightlife options in the city, so much so that it is often hard to choose. The areas in which most people prefer to spend the night are Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeriah, and Jumeirah Beach Residence.
You can find several luxury restaurants and nightclubs in these locations to toast the new year. Or else, you can organize a private party on a yacht at night for the occasion. Whichever option you choose, make sure to plan at least a month in advance so that you do not miss out on the opportunity.
Good camping and picnic spots
From the winding desert to the white sand beaches, there are plenty of great camping and picnic spots in the city. Such options are ideal for people who want to skip the party scene and spend quality time with their friends and family. If you choose to camp in the desert, make sure to pack all the required equipment to have a good time.
Great maritime leisure opportunities
The government of Dubai has put in a lot of effort to enhance the maritime tourism of the emirate. This includes the development of several marinas complete with wide berths and yacht clubs. The best departure points in the city include Dubai Harbour, Dubai Marina, and Dubai Creek. You can celebrate the new year while sailing on a boat or superyacht and have a great time.
What to do in Dubai for New Year’s Eve
You can choose from several unique experiences to make your New Year’s Eve memorable and fun. Whichever option you choose, make sure to plan ahead to avoid mishaps as it can get crowded in the city during the occasion. Also, it is hard to get a taxi during the new year, so it is ideal to book a rental car to head home later. The following are some ideas on where to celebrate the new year in Dubai.
- Camp in the desert
- Have a picnic at the beach
- Go on a dinner cruise
- Dance at a nightclub
- Count down at Global Village
- Charter a private yacht
Camp in the desert
You can choose to bring your own campaign equipment and spend New Year’s Eve camping in the middle of the desert with your loved ones. You can celebrate by enjoying live barbeque and reminiscing with family and friends in a private setting.
Furthermore, as long as there is an experienced guide, you can try dune bashing, dune buggying, sandboarding, and other activities.
While it is a good way to skip crowds, the downside is that the chances of viewing the firework show properly from the desert are slim.
Have a picnic at the beach
There are plenty of clean beaches in Dubai that are ideal for organizing picnics. This includes La Mer, The Beach, and more. You can clearly view the fireworks shows from these spots at midnight while you relax with your loved ones. However, what some find unfavorable about this idea is that the beaches get crowded during New year’s Eve, and it is not likely to be a private experience.
Go on a dinner cruise
Several companies host dinner cruises during New Year’s Eve, which takes you close to the fireworks spots in the city. You can enjoy lavish dinner buffets and beverages while you sail along Dubai’s coastline. Note that such cruises are not private, and there will be many other people joining the party on the boat.
Dance at a nightclub
If you are hoping to party the night away in a bustling spot with loud music and drinks, then there are several nightlife options available in the city. During New Year’s Eve, many bars and nightclubs offer food and beverage packages that you have to book in advance. If you choose this option, the downside is that you cannot see the fireworks unless you make a booking at the right place. What’s more, this is not an ideal choice if you want to throw an exclusive party with selected guests.
Count down at Global Village
Global Village is a top choice among residents in Dubai for New Year’s Eve. During the occasion, a string of events will happen in the area, including a countdown at midnight. Like with some of the other options, the venue will be quite crowded during the night though the views will be spectacular.
Charter a private yacht
For several reasons, booking a private yacht for New Year’s Eve in Dubai is considered the most feasible option to celebrate. By doing so, you can either throw an exclusive and raging party or relax with your loved ones in absolute privacy. The charter routes offer unrestricted views of the fireworks displays. Plus, you can enjoy gourmet food and beverages onboard, along with great hospitality.
Best spots to watch the fireworks in Dubai for New Year’s Eve
Dubai hosts several fireworks shows for New Year’s Eve, all of which are magnificent. You can watch them either by heading over to a beach, choosing a scenic nightclub or restaurant, or booking a luxury yacht. The following are the top New Year’s Eve firework Dubai spots to check out.
- Burj Al Arab
- Burj Khalifa
- Palm Jumeirah
- Ain Dubai
Booking a yacht for New Year’s Eve in Dubai- Why it is a popular option
Dubai is an ideal location for yachting, thanks to its beautiful coastline, blue sea, and initiatives offered by the government. The following are some of the best benefits of booking a yacht for the new year in Dubai.
- You get to customize your charter experience the way you want to. This includes choosing the food, beverages, and theme of the trip.
- It is possible to book a DJ to drop the beat during your trip. You can select your favorite DJ, throw an exclusive party, and have a blast dancing under the stars with your friends.
- If an all-night party is not your thing, you can choose to have a low-key celebration catching up with your friends and family onboard a yacht. To make things better, some yachts feature luxury jacuzzis to relax in.
- A yacht charter trip offers the best views of the fireworks from the sea. You can customize the charter route to catch the displays at various locations like Burj Al Arab and Palm Jumeirah.
- Booking a private yacht is a good way to skip the crowd that takes over the city during the new year. This is particularly necessary to watch the fireworks in luxury and privacy, as the surrounding areas get crowded early in the evening onwards. You can relax and have a good time onboard a yacht in exclusivity with your loved ones.
Now that you know the best locations in Dubai to celebrate New Year’s Eve, you can start planning. The new year is right around the corner, and Dubai is a popular destination. So save your spot by preparing ahead of time and making a booking.