Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates ushered in the New Year with grand fireworks and large-scale drone displays across multiple emirates, as organisers attempted to set five Guinness World Records on New Year’s Eve. Celebrations were held in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and other parts of the country, drawing thousands of spectators and global attention.
The coordinated celebrations highlighted the UAE’s growing reputation for hosting technologically advanced and visually spectacular New Year events, blending fireworks, music and drone choreography on an unprecedented scale.
Massive drone show aims for world record
One of the most ambitious record attempts involved the deployment of around 6,500 drones in a synchronised aerial performance. The 20-minute show combined music, fireworks and illuminated drone formations as the countdown to 2026 began.
The highlight of the display was a massive phoenix formation, described by organisers as the “largest aerial display of a phoenix”. The drone choreography was part of a broader national effort to push creative and technical boundaries while securing new Guinness World Records.
Ras Al Khaimah sets Guinness World Record
Ras Al Khaimah confirmed that it successfully secured a Guinness World Records title for the “largest aerial display of a phoenix formed by multirotors/drones”. The 15-minute performance stretched along the emirate’s coastline from Al Marjan Island to Al Hamra Island.
The emirate has consistently focused on record-breaking New Year’s Eve celebrations in recent years, positioning itself as a global destination for large-scale fireworks and drone spectacles. Officials said the success reinforces Ras Al Khaimah’s standing as a hub for innovative tourism and entertainment events.
Abu Dhabi hosts extended fireworks finale
In Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Festival at Al Wathba served as one of the central New Year’s Eve venues. Organisers planned to attempt five Guinness World Records during the evening’s programme.
Festivities began at 8 pm and continued through midnight, culminating in a 62-minute continuous fireworks display. The hour-long finale illuminated the night sky in one of the longest uninterrupted fireworks shows staged in the capital, drawing large crowds to the festival grounds.
Dubai lights up multiple landmarks
Dubai opted for decentralised celebrations, hosting fireworks at numerous locations rather than focusing on a single record attempt. A total of 48 fireworks displays were held across 40 sites, showcasing the emirate’s iconic skyline and tourist destinations.
Key locations included the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Atlantis The Palm, Global Village, Expo City Dubai and Hatta. The city’s multi-venue approach allowed residents and tourists to experience the New Year festivities from different neighbourhoods without converging at one central point.
Sharjah and other emirates join festivities
Sharjah also joined the nationwide celebrations, staging 10-minute fireworks displays at Al Majaz Waterfront, Al Heera Beach and Khorfakkan Beach. The coastal displays attracted families and visitors, adding to the festive atmosphere across the northern emirates.
Other parts of the country marked the occasion with smaller community events, reinforcing the nationwide scale of the celebrations.
Conclusion
With fireworks, extended drone shows and multiple Guinness World Record attempts, the UAE’s New Year’s Eve celebrations once again demonstrated the country’s ambition to blend entertainment, technology and tourism. From record-breaking displays in Ras Al Khaimah to landmark-lit skies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the UAE welcomed 2026 with a spectacle that spanned land, sea and sky.