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Just how cool would it be to experience the new year celebration in a city as exciting and dazzling as Dubai. Building on its reputation as the city of superlatives, just about everything here is bigger, better and more grandiose. When it comes to New Year’s Eve celebrations, Dubai doesn’t mess around.

Both chic and sophisticated or wild and crazy, the city of Dubai lends itself perfectly to the sparkle that accompanies the New Year’s festivities. Whatever your desired setting following a romantic dinner or a wild rave with your crew, there’s no escaping the captivation of the splendid fireworks against the backdrop of the dazzling city of Dubai.

Here is our recommendation of the top spots to best enjoy and watch the fireworks of Dubai in 2023.

The Burj Khalifa

Image © medium.com

It hasn’t yet been confirmed that the Burj Khalifa will host the grand masterpiece of fireworks and light and laser show this year. Nonetheless, here are some well-known (and lesser-known) spots to best view the light show.

Go on a cruise dinner

For those looking for a special New Year’s Eve celebration, we recommend going on a dinner cruise to fully savour the dazzling fireworks show. Set sail from either the Dubai Marina or the Dubai Creek and watch in awe as the vibrant New Year’s Eve passes by, accompanied by an excellent meal at the floating restaurant.

High-rise watering hole

A lot of visitors may want to kick off New Year’s Eve with a chic dinner and a glass (or a bottle) of sparkling champagne. As consuming alcohol in public is strictly prohibited in Dubai, it’s off to a rooftop bar then, where high-profile DJs set the atmosphere so you can rule the dance floor while watching the ensuing fireworks.

Here are some of the best joints in town:

Level 43 Sky Lounge: Perched atop of the Four Points by Sheraton on the 43rd floor, the bar’s exalted location naturally provides guests with a stunning 360-degree view of the dazzling celebrations.
Iris Dubai: This open-air lounge offers great cocktails, a selection of fusion food and a calming breeze. It’s perched on the 27th floor of the Oberoi Hotel Dubai.
The Treehouse: This rooftop bar is located at the Taj Dubai Hotel and has built a reputation as an oasis of relaxation in the midst of bustling Dubai. Relax and mingle as the year comes to a close.

Hotels and restaurants

Various hotels and restaurants usually go wild this time of year by offering great deals to entice potential patrons. Expect to encounter ‘all you can eat/drink’ buffets serving exquisite food and drinks. It’s safe to say that these establishments also take into account the end-of-year festivities by providing guests access to their terraces, balconies and other designated spots to ensure the best view of the pyro spectacles. There are some popular restaurants that you can visit to celebrate the 2023 New Year, including the Black Tap, Cé La Vi, and Chic Nona.

Head out to the desert

For a change of pace, why not head out into the desert this year and spend the passing of the year away from the city under a starry sky? You can still spectate the fireworks show of course, but why not swap the roaring beat of the DJ with a quiet moment of reflection atop a camel in the heart of a Bedouin camp? Enjoy the hospitality of the desert courtesy of authentic Bedouin hospitality involving barbecues, exquisite Arabian coffee and shisha. If the camp is available during 2023 new year’s eve, the service will make for a truly memorable New Year’s Eve celebration.

Burj al Arab Jumeirah

Image © scene.app

The Burj al Arab Jumeirah fireworks show was very striking last year with options to consider for that ideal vantage point. Though the show has yet to be announced, it’s still worth to put in your new year’s bucket list.

For a slightly different perspective and a lot less crowd, head over to Black Palace Beach next to the Royal Palaces of Al Sufouh. Additional perks: you can also view the fireworks show taking place at the Atlantis. Value!

For a cozy and relaxed atmosphere with the family, head over to Kite Beach and enjoy the fires from the Burj Al Arab. As crowds will likely to amass, take care to maintain social distancing and wear your mask at all times.

Finally, you can always reserve a spot at one of the restaurants of Souk Madinat Jumeirah. With good food and a great view, we daresay it’s a no brainer.

Atlantis, the Palm

As the tradition of holding the New Year’s Eve rave mandates the presence of a dazzling pyrotechnic show, you can head to the luxury hotel to spend your last days of 2022. If you’re feeling it, you can also take part in the hotel’s New Year’s Eve Royal Gala and enjoy fine dining as you secure the best seat in the house for the dazzling show. But for those who aren’t keen on spending the evening at the hotel and/or restaurant, simply take a stroll on the Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk and observe the pyro show hosted by both Atlantis and the Burj al Arab.

Ras Al Khaimah

Encircled by the mystifying Al Hajar mountains, the Emirate of Ras al Khaimah prepares itself to wish you a ‘fiery’ new year. Organizers have stated that come New Year’s Eve, they are planning to treat RAK residents to a 12-minute long visually stunning pyrotechnic spectacle stretching 4.7 kilometres long. The Emirate is also preparing for another Guinness World Record-breaking fireworks display this year, which will feature pyro-drones, lights, colours, shapes and music as an additional element that will be harmonized with the drones’ movement to make the viewers mesmerized. The show is promoted under the hashtag #RAKNYE2023.

Sheikh Zayed Festival

Located at Al Wathba, this festival has become one of the must-visit places as it provides an all-in-one package to celebrate the new year. Visitors can enjoy their various activities, including concerts, competitions, and entertaining attractions while waiting for the countdown. The festival itself opens at 4 PM every day. It only costs AED 5 (USD 1.36) to enter the festival and witness the spectacular fireworks from this area.

In addition to the above venues, Dubai has also announced firework displays marking UAE’s national day this year at destinations like the Pointe, Festival Bay, The beach, Bluewaters Island and Al Seef.