Dubai’s fireworks displays are legendary and included in the top 10 fireworks displays in the world according to CNN.¹ Dubai’s New Year’s Eve fireworks draw huge crowds, so planning your viewing spot matters. Here are 10 top places to watch UAE New Year fireworks, with practical, on-the-ground tips to get you in, enjoy your time and get out. As a rule of thumb check last-minute road closures and event updates, one of the best ways to do this is via Google Maps, Waze or Yango Maps – if a road is all red, avoid.

1. Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai

Fireworks Display: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – the best in town
Cost: Free for public areas; paid terraces / restaurants, prices for tables from AED 4,000-8,000.
How to get there: Metro to Burj Khalifa / Dubai Mall + long indoor walk.
Crowds: Extreme—dense and tightly managed.
Arrive: 5–6pm All entrances and exits closed in and out of Downtown closed by 5pm – arrive early.
Leave: 12:45–1:30am due to controlled crowd movement.
Parking: Dubai Mall fills early; exit queues can be 60–90+ mins. Metro is best.

2. Dubai Marina Walk / JBR

Fireworks Display: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – incredible display on the sea with Bluewater in the background.
Cost: Free; beach clubs/hotels are paid and often require a ticket, not less than AED 2,000 for a table.
How to get there: Metro to DMCC/Sobha + Tram to JBR/Marina stops, avoid driving here.
Crowds: Very high, especially near The Beach and marina bridges.
Arrive: 6pm to secure a clear line of sight.
Leave: ~1am; foot traffic is slow along the promenade.
Parking: Limited and expensive; street access gets congested—we suggest you use Metro/Tram.

3. Bluewaters Islands

Fireworks Display: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – incredible action over the sea.
Cost: Free to enter; dining packages start from AED 1,000-2,500.
How to get there: Tram to JBR 2, then walk over the pedestrian bridge, nice walk but will be crowded.
Crowds: Very high—popular for wide waterfront views and photos.
Arrive: 5:30–6:30pm for a comfortable spot near the railings.
Leave: ~1am; expect bottlenecks at the bridge unless you walk back on the pedestrian bridge.
Parking: Paid and tight; post-midnight exit can be slow.

4. Palm Jumeirah, West Beach

Fireworks Display: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – very close second best (some may argue this is the best).
Cost: Free public beach areas; restaurant prices are a staggering AED 6,000-9,000 per table.
How to get there: Taxi/rideshare or drive; Monorail via Gateway Station helps. Traffic will be very bad.
Crowds: High, but spread out along the beach and boardwalk.
Arrive: 6pm (earlier for front-row seating near popular venues).
Leave: ~1am; traffic builds on the trunk.
Parking: Limited; valet is common and expensive. Consider drop-off + walk.

5. Dubai Creek Harbour

Fireworks Display: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ – little more calm but has improved every year.
Cost: Free; some viewpoints tied to cafés/restaurants, prices starting from AED 1,000-3,000.
How to get there: Taxi/rideshare from Festival City, Nad Al Hamar, or Creek areas.
Crowds: High, with family groups and photographers.
Arrive: 630pm to claim a waterfront edge spot.
Leave: 12:45–1:15am; roads around the promenade can gridlock and no public transport around here.
Parking: Moderate supply but fills up fast; expect slow exits and long walks back.

6. Dubai Festival City

Fireworks Display: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ – calm but exciting, good for people who prefer smaller crowds.
Cost: Free; reserved dining/view packages vary from AED 650-900.
How to get there: Taxi or bus from Creek Metro area; driving is straightforward.
Crowds: High, but the space is organized and family-friendly.
Arrive: 6pm for a clean view near the waterfront rail.
Leave: ~1am; mall exits can crawl after midnight.
Parking: Large lots, but plan for slow outbound traffic and closures.

7. Al Seef, Dubai Creek

Fireworks Display: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – old Dubai vibes in old Dubai.
Cost: Free; great low-cost option with plenty of cafés, prices for tables from AED 450-1,000.
How to get there: Metro to Al Fahidi or BurJuman + short taxi/ride – lots of transport options.
Crowds: Medium–high—lively, but less intense than Downtown.
Arrive: 7pm; stroll early to pick a creek-facing spot.
Leave: 12:30–1am; easier to disperse via side streets.
Parking: Limited street/paid lots; best to arrive by Metro then walk.

8. Abu Dhabi Corniche

Cost: Free; some nearby venues offer ticketed packages.
How to get there: Drive/taxi; public buses operate but may be busy late.
Crowds: High, especially at central Corniche sections.
Arrive: 7pm for a good promenade position.
Leave: ~1am; police-managed flows keep things orderly.
Parking: Public lots fill; be ready to park farther and walk 10–20 minutes.

9. Ras Al Khaimah, Al Marjan Island

Cost: Free public areas; hotel beach access may be restricted to guests.
How to get there: Drive (most reliable) or taxi; plan your return fuel/time.
Crowds: Very high—a major UAE fireworks destination.
Arrive: 6pm (earlier if staying at a hotel).
Leave: 1–2am; long traffic lines are common.
Parking: Hotel/paid zones and overflow areas; expect heavy congestion exiting.

10. Al Majaz Waterfront, Sharjah

Cost: Free; excellent budget-friendly family pick with lakefront views.
How to get there: Drive/taxi; buses from central Sharjah available.
Crowds: High, especially near restaurants and bridge viewpoints.
Arrive: 7pm to settle in and avoid peak entry traffic.
Leave: ~1am; roads around the waterfront can be slow.
Parking: Paid lots fill fast—arrive early or park farther and walk.

The UAE is a great place to celebrate your new years eye. With so many options to choose from, we have narrowed the best options for you, your friends and your family to ring in 2026 with a bang.

As always, keep checking Viewit for the latest happening around the UAE!

1. https://edition.cnn.com/travel/new-years-eve-fireworks-celebrations-world ↩︎