UAE Breaks Records with New Year 2026 Fireworks and Drone Shows

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UAE Lights Up the World: Guinness World Record Shattered with Drone Formations, 62-Minute Fireworks and Spectacular Emirati Celebrations.

The United Arab Emirates kicked off 2026 with unmatched fanfare as spectacular fireworks and drone displays across the country set new global benchmarks in celebration and innovation.

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From carefully choreographed skies to record-breaking aerial formations, the UAE’s New Year’s Eve events offered dazzling visuals and large crowds eager to welcome the year in unforgettable style. 

In Ras Al Khaimah, a 15-minute evening show transformed the night sky over Al Marjan and Al Hamra Islands into a vibrant spectacle that clinched a new Guinness World Record for the largest aerial display of a phoenix formed by multirotor drones.

Using around 2,300 drones, including 1,000 pyro-equipped units to create flame-like wings, the display not only symbolised renewal but also showcased cutting-edge drone technology. The performance also featured “The Welcome”, a formation depicting a figure with open arms—a gesture of hospitality and optimism. 

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In Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba took centre stage with ambitions to secure multiple world records. The highlight was a 62-minute continuous fireworks display, one of the longest in UAE history, captivating tens of thousands of spectators.

Adding to the spectacle was a massive 20-minute drone show comprising 6,500 drones that formed large artistic scenes in perfect sync with music and pyrotechnics, epitomising the fusion of tradition and technology. 

Meanwhile, Dubai’s celebrations spread joy across the emirate with 48 fireworks displays at 40 locations, from the iconic Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab to Global Village and Expo City Dubai. Complementing this was what organisers billed as the region’s largest narrative drone show, featuring brighter drones, faster formations, and enhanced fire effects. 

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Other emirates joined in with spirited events for residents and visitors alike. Sharjah staged short bursts of fireworks at Al Majaz Waterfront, Al Heera Beach, and Khorfakkan Beach, while Ajman, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain hosted community-oriented displays. 

From coastlines to city skylines, the UAE’s New Year celebrations underlined its growing reputation as a world hub for spectacular public events—where pyrotechnics, drones, and creative ambition come together to light up the sky and break records.