Want a New Year’s Day of relaxation, history, fun, and unique experiences? Then Dubai is surely the place to be.
Located south of the Persian Gulf, Dubai is the capital of the United Arab Emirates—a multifaceted city accommodating all tastes. The city is simply magical on New Year’s, allowing one to enjoy some unique performances that a person will never forget.
New Year’s Eve in Dubai: Where to Celebrate
It is a city of endless possibilities, and New Year’s here is going to be very much about choices: deciding that one is going to spend New Year’s shopping, at the beach, skiing, in a desert safari, and so on. Whatever your tastes, don’t worry, it’s got them all. The most popular areas for New Year’s Eve are certainly the Jumeirah area, built on the seafront and full of free and private beaches; Dubai city centre, where the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall are located; and the old city of Deira.
1. A spectacle in the sky
A light display, colours and over 400,000 fireworks playing to the beat of the music. At midnight, let Burj Khalifa take your breath away with an utterly breathtaking fireworks show. Moreover, the light and water shows of its fountains will turn even more suggestive: 6,600 dancing lights giving life to a wonderful choreography.
2. A Starry Night in the Desert
Nothing is more evocative than the possibility of spending New Year’s Eve in the desert: silence, stars, dune expanses.
Well, if you are not much fond of the crowds and want to enjoy a bit different yet calm experience, then Dubai desert safari is welcoming for the 31st December. Regularly, the tours start in the afternoon, and the driver will take you for a thrilling ride across the sand dunes. Dinner at the end of this safari will be waited with mint tea at a wonderful oasis while you wait for midnight.
3. A walk through the Historic Center
Along the Creek River in the Bur Dubai district, you can visit the historic Al Bastakiya neighborhood and discover the old side of Dubai made up of traders and fishermen.Before getting drunk to celebrate 2024, spend an afternoon steeped in history and Arabic culture. Walking around the streets, you will bump into Al Fahidi Fort dating back to 1700, making it the oldest building in Dubai, which today is hosting the Archaeological Museum. Without mentioning the picturesque, noisy, and colorful souk, with its stalls full of jewelry, food, and clothes.
4. Skiing in Dubai
Yes, you can do everything in Dubai, even conduct New Year’s Day skiing. In Ski Dubai, you will find an indoor area of 22,500 m2 for skiing and playing games with snow. When it’s 25 degrees outside, you can have a good time on a snowboard, make a snowman, go by cable way, and even hug a penguin.
5. Shopping at Dubai Mall
In the Downtown Dubai area, together with the Burj Khalifa, you will find the largest shopping mall in the world by the number of stores. This is the Dubai Mall, hosting some 1,200 commercial activities. Glorious boutiques—shopping and indulging in some whims, etc.
But wait, there’s more, for within this 50-football-field-sized shopping mall, you will also find an amusement park: Sega Republic. Do you love animals? No need to worry; the Dubai Mall contains the Dubai Aquarium, which has over 33,000 marine species visible through its glass panel.
And should your bones ache from all the walking, you can choose 160 spots to sit back and wait for the arrival of 2024.
New Year’s Eve in Dubai: how to organize yourself
Once you decide on what is to be done, then you will be in a position to start planning a visit to Dubai for New Year’s Eve.
The weather is still at one of the best times to visit Dubai, with temperatures ranging from 18 to 26 degrees. Because of this, it won’t be scorching enough to tramp around or irritating with respect to covering up, yet will be warm enough to swim in the sea if you so like.
There are no particular problems in getting around the city. Dubai is a very orderly city, all set to welcome thousands of tourists, so there is no lack of means of transport, and several solutions are available. If you would like to travel on your own, you can consider hiring a car.
December 31st, especially before midnight, Dubai gets really crowded and driving becomes tough. That is why it is best to avail public transport. Buses and metros are smooth, and for those who want, even the taxis are not too expensive.
Before boarding for Dubai
On the list of tips for organizing your New Year’s Eve trip to Dubai, you definitely can’t skip checking on attractions’ and museums’ working hours since these may vary on the 31st of December and the 1st of January due to celebrations.
Anyway, always make sure to arrive way ahead, especially if you want to spend midnight at a specific point, so you do not get stuck in the traffic. Also, do not forget to reserve restaurants and clubs in advance.
Explore Dubai with Memphis Tours
You can book different tours and packages with Memphis Tours for visiting Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and various other tourist attractions. This travel agency will let you explore great places, ranging from the most well-known to the least visited places, with guided tours.
One example is the 5-hour tour to discover old Dubai, in the alleys of the Bastakiya neighborhood with a visit to the Al-Fahidi Fort. A wonderful itinerary, during which you can walk along the Dubai Creek aboard a traditional boat. A trip through the spice souk, up to the Jumeirah Mosque.
In case you are more attracted by the grace of technological and modern architecture, then you can opt for other tours that will let you get familiar with the newest buildings. You will visit places such as the Dubai Marina skyline tour, which is going to take you to the artificial island of Palm Jumeirah, the Atlantis hotel, said to be one of the largest in the world, and the Burj al Arab, finishing at the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa with a spectacular visit.
The more adventurous can choose an excellent option of desert safari amongst red sand dunes. At the end of the tour, you will be able to taste sugared dates at a Bedouin camp, go camel riding, and have the famous henna tattoo. Finally, be treated to some belly dancing performances while smoking the hookah and enjoying a great barbecue under the stars.