Do you want to spend Christmas and New Year’s Eve 2022 in Dubai? For those who would like to completely forego cold, snowy weather in their country during the holidays at the end of December and would rather spend the turn of the year on the beach, the Emirate of Dubai has the perfect setting.
The glittering Arabian metropolis has a different Christmas atmosphere, but it still has plenty of atmosphere. This is because Dubai has spruced itself up in the Advent season: fairy lights, Christmas trees and festive songs can be heard in shopping malls, Christmas markets are held and numerous events – from concerts and outdoor cinema to Christmas dinners in restaurants – are organized in the run-up to the festive season.
New Year’s Eve 2022 in Dubai
While Dubai is glamorous all year round, the city takes New Year’s Eve to the top with extravagant celebrations. Stunning fireworks displays on Burj Khalifa and Burj Arab, the world’s tallest skyscrapers, are some of the most stunning on the planet. Decorated with magical lights, Dubai’s architectural wonders are definitely worth a visit to ring in the New Year in style.
Magnificent fireworks for the New Year
The metropolis shows its usual splendid and record-breaking side on New Year’s Eve, when fireworks with big bangs, colorful rockets and fascinating laser shows light up the night sky all over the city. A true spectacle of light can be experienced by visitors as always in Downtown Dubai, at the Burj Al Arab, The Beach, JBR and many more of the city’s public places.
This year, party freaks can also expect exclusive party nights once again. The emirate is in any case well equipped for the New Year’s night. There are several fireworks displays planned along the coast, however, visitors are required to adhere to strict distance and hygiene rules, and, as everywhere else in the city, it is mandatory to wear mouth and nose protection. The following is a guide to how to spend New Year’s Eve in Dubai.
Fireworks at the Burj Al Arab
One of the classic events on New Year’s Eve in Dubai: The legendary luxury hotel Burj Al Arab will once again host an enchanting “rocket festival” this year. In order to get an excellent view of the stunning choreography of fireworks, the Kite Beach and the beaches surrounding the luxury hotel complex Madinat Jumeirah are particularly suitable. You can also enjoy a New Year’s Eve meal in the various restaurants there and watch the fireworks from the terrace. Be sure to keep enough distance, as it can get very crowded.
An excellent alternative is the Black Palace Beach (Sufouh Beach). Located west of Madinat Jumeirah, the natural beach is usually far less crowded but nevertheless offers the best view of the Burj Al Arab. This is the perfect place to have a private picnic and watch the scenery in peace. Another worthwhile sight is the fire show from the outer ring of Palm Jumeirah Island.
Downtown Dubai and Burj Khalifa
As usual, Downtown Dubai is very crowded at the turn of the year around Dubai Mall, Burj Park and the Dubai Fountains. This year is no exception, albeit with strict rules on distance, masks and hygiene. Visitors can get ready for a special spectacle, because: The world’s tallest building – the Burj Khalifa – will once again be the center of attention when the outer facade is illuminated during the elaborately programmed, ultra-modern and gigantic laser and light show.
It is already exciting to see what special effects the show’s creators will come up with this year. You will have the best view of the spectacle from the terrace of the Souk Al Bahar, from the Dubai Mall or from the Dubai Water Canal.
Fireworks on Palm Jumeirah
In addition to the large water fountain show at the Palm Fountain, fireworks can also be enjoyed at The Pointe promenade. At midnight there and on the Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk – the walk along the outer ring of palm trees – there will be colorful rockets.
There will be other New Year’s fireworks displays at Global Village, Dubai Festival City, Dubai Frame, Al Seef and Bluewaters Island. This latter will be set against the impressive backdrop of the new Ain Dubai Ferris Wheel.
Party Nights and New Year’s Eve Dinner in Dubai
One more good way to celebrate the turn of the year in Dubai is joining an exclusive New Year’s Eve dinner with subsequent party in one of the city’s numerous clubs and discotheques.
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Pop Star and World Record Attempt at Atlantis The Palm: Live Concert by Robbie Williams
The luxury hotel Atlantis The Palm will have a pop superstar as its guest on New Year’s Eve: for the gala dinner on Dec. 31, 2021, pop legend Robbie Williams will be appearing exclusively. A 70-minute concert will be performed by him to herald in the New Year. And that is not everything: the luxury hotel is attempting to enter the Guinness Book of Records by building the world’s largest champagne glass pyramid.
55,000 champagne glasses will be stacked at a height of almost 10 meters. Furthermore, there will be a 30-man band and cancan dancers to provide the best atmosphere throughout the opulent buffet with lobster, caviar, sushi and much more. The tickets are available from about 1,300 dollars.
Dinner Cruise over the Dubai Water Canal
Guests can expect a gala dinner of a special type during a dinner cruise on a traditional dhow. This wooden boat sails three hours on the Dubai Water Canal and indulges passengers on board with a 5-star buffet and an endless supply of drinks.
The boat will stop for the IMAGINE laser and light show at Dubai Festival City and after that continue across Dubai Creek Harbour passing Burj Khalifa through Business Bay to Tolerance Bridge and ultimately back to Sheikh Zayed Waterfall Bridge: there is a perfect view of the New Year’s fireworks at Burj Khalifa from there.
This dinner cruise will begin at 7 p.m. with a transfer to the boat and will end at 1 a.m. Adults 21 years and older (including alcoholic beverages) can attend for $400. A ticket without alcoholic beverages costs $270; children (ages 4-11) pay $270; infants pay $165.
New Year’s Eve Parties in Dubai
For those who want to shake a leg on New Year’s Eve, Dubai is definitely the place to be. Among the club scene, the Meydan Racecourse clubs have an excellent reputation. Both the Soho Garden and the Iris are famous for their excellent parties with international DJs. The top clubs of The Beach, JBR are a good alternative: there, Barasti Beach and Zero Gravity are especially known for their atmospheric nights.
Christmas and New Year’s Eve at EXPO 2020 in Dubai
The Christmas and New Year’s Eve festivities are also on the agenda at the EXPO site in Dubai. Christmas and winter decorations with Christmas trees adorn the Al Wasl Plaza, the Jubilee Stage or the Millenium Amphitheater.
Seasonal concerts are part of the program, as are Christmas menus in numerous restaurants or events such as Christmas baking, face painting for children or meeting Santa Claus. Guests can watch Christmas movies and unique 3D Christmas projections can be seen in the Al WAsl Dome.
During New Year’s Eve, visitors will be able to look forward to international concerts, high-tech image projections in the Al Wasl Dome and some spectacular drone shows.
Christmas 2021 in Dubai
Although in the United Arab Emirates Islam is the state religion, the Christmas celebration is very much in evidence in the cityscape of Dubai. The streets are festively decorated, huge Advent calendars are displayed on the facades of houses, and there are Christmas villages in shopping malls, all pointing to the Christian holiday. Here is an overview of how you can enjoy Christmas in Dubai.
The Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market
This year, the popular Madinat Jumeirah hotel complex is once again putting on a Christmas market. Spanning 1750 square meters on Madinat Jumeirah Fort Island, the market offers plenty to discover, especially for families. Fascinating activities and attractions like the North Pole train, bungee stations, the Venetian carousel or abra rides with Santa Claus especially appeal to children.
Moreover, the little ones can build their own little gingerbread house. There are plenty of culinary options for adults, shopping booths, a live music stage and some creative arts and crafts workshops. This Christmas market is open from Dec. 16-Dec. 30 from 3 p.m. each day (12 p.m. on weekends). Admission is free.
Dubai Harbour Festive Market
Introducing an all-new Christmas market in an all-new location. This is the first time that Harbour Wonderland at Dubai Harbour has hosted Christmas shopping and fun for the whole family. Located between Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Bluewaters Island, this new harbor area attracts visitors with an ice skating rink as well as a winter play area called Snow Zone.
According to the site, children can meet Santa Claus, and large origami-style Christmas boats are set up along the harbor. Food and drink will be offered by restaurateurs from Zero Gravity, Raw Coffee and Jumeirah. This Christmas market will be open from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. each day from Dec. 16 to Dec. 30, 2021. Admission is free.
Mall of the Emirates – Ski Dubai
Belonging to the Mall of the Emirates is the huge indoor ski slope Ski Dubai. Visitors from all over the world are greeted by the Winter Wonderland there and in the mall. This first-ever Christmas market at the mall presents a total of 19 stalls inviting visitors to feast, shop for artistic and creative gifts, and talk one-on-one with Santa Claus and his elves.
In the indoor ski slope, guests get the typical Christmas feeling: In temperatures around freezing, they can cozy up at the ski hill, build snowmen, have breakfast with Santa or enjoy Christmas movies. At 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. daily, the Christmas cinema is held. Tickets start at around €25, including hot chocolate, a bottle of water and popcorn.
