The UAE welcomed 2026 with a series of dazzling fireworks and drone displays across the country, as residents and visitors gathered to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. From city landmarks to waterfront destinations, the night sky was transformed into a canvas of light, colour and precision technology.
In Dubai, the Dubai Frame emerged as one of the standout locations, hosting a spectacular New Year’s Eve countdown that drew large crowds. As the clock approached midnight, synchronised fireworks and drone formations illuminated the skyline, creating a dramatic visual display against one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
Families, tourists and revellers gathered early in surrounding areas to secure vantage points, with many capturing the moment on their phones as the final seconds of 2025 ticked away. When midnight arrived, cheers erupted as fireworks burst into the sky and drones formed animated patterns, marking the start of the new year.
Across the UAE, similar celebrations unfolded. Major landmarks and public spaces hosted coordinated shows combining fireworks, drones, lights and music. Authorities had announced extensive safety and traffic management plans, ensuring smooth crowd movement and secure celebrations throughout the night.
Drone shows, which have become a defining feature of large-scale celebrations in the UAE, once again demonstrated their ability to blend storytelling with technology. The formations showcased themes of unity, progress and optimism, reflecting the country’s forward-looking outlook as it enters a new year.
Fireworks displays, meanwhile, delivered the traditional sense of grandeur, lighting up coastlines and urban skylines with choreographed sequences lasting several minutes. Organisers said the combination of drones and fireworks allowed for both creative flexibility and visual impact, offering audiences a memorable experience.
Social media quickly filled with images and videos from across the country, as residents shared moments from the celebrations and exchanged New Year greetings. “Happy New Year, UAE” trended across platforms, reflecting the festive mood nationwide.
As the celebrations wound down and the early hours of 2026 began, authorities praised public cooperation and responsible behaviour. With another year underway, the New Year’s Eve displays once again highlighted the UAE’s ability to deliver large-scale, safe and visually striking celebrations that capture global attention.
