Thousands Arrive Early at Burj Khalifa for New Year's Eve Festivities

With Dubai gearing up for one of its most anticipated New Year’s Eve 2026 celebrations, thousands of visitors and residents have arrived early at the Burj Khalifa downtown precinct to claim spots for the city’s legendary fireworks and countdown festivities.

Crowds converged on Downtown Dubai as early as the late afternoon on December 31, 2025, ready to secure prime viewing positions ahead of midnight celebrations. 

The Burj Khalifa — world’s tallest tower — is expected to be the focal point of Dubai’s midnight show, featuring an extravagant fireworks, LED and laser display that will light up the skyline as part of a citywide celebration. The tower’s spectacular show, paired with synchronized fountain performances and other downtown attractions, has drawn massive numbers of people who began assembling hours before the event to ensure they can watch the spectacle up close.

Authorities have noted that prime public viewing areas around Burj Lake, the Fountain promenade and Burj Park will fill quickly, and access to Downtown Dubai often operates on a first-come, first-served basis — prompting many to arrive in the early evening or late afternoon to guard their spots. 

In preparation for the influx, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has rolled out an extensive traffic management plan, including phased road closures around the Burj Khalifa district starting in the late afternoon and comprehensive crowd guidance to ensure safety and smooth access. Road closures affecting key streets such as Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard and Burj Khalifa Street began hours before the main fireworks, and public transport options were promoted to help reduce private vehicle traffic in the area. 

The Dubai Metro and tram systems are operating on extended schedules — in some cases non-stop for more than 40 hours — to accommodate the high volume of passengers expected across the holiday period. 

While scattered rain and breezy conditions were forecast earlier in the day, weather authorities reported that celebrations were set to proceed with minimal disruption, and revelers were encouraged to dress warmly as temperatures dipped. 

Security and civil defence teams have also been placed on heightened alert across the UAE as part of the national New Year’s Eve plan, with thousands of personnel coordinating safety efforts and crowd control ahead of the anticipated midnight fireworks. 
For many in Dubai and across the nation, the Burj Khalifa fireworks have become a hallmark of the New Year — drawing vast crowds ready to welcome 2026 with dazzling displays, live entertainment, and festive energy. As midnight approaches, hundreds of thousands of spectators are expected to ring in the New Year together at one of the world’s most iconic landmarks.