Thousands of cheering residents gathered at three different venues across the capital to usher in the New Year with fireworks and festive countdowns.

While the Abu Dhabi Corniche was packed like every other year with families engaging in barbecues and waiting for midnight, revellers also met this year at the Maqtaa channel, and at the marina that overlooks the city skyline on Al Maryah Island.

The marina itself was decked in festive winter lights, and families began converging there from the afternoon. Most enjoyed a meal at The Galleria, the island's luxury shopping destination that adjoins the marina, while they waited for the midnight show. There was also live entertainment, game arcades, face painting and other family activities to keep people occupied till the fireworks display.

The final pyrotechnic show that lit up the sky in dozens of colours and motifs were met with oohs and aahs from residents. It started on the dot of midnight and built up to a rhythmic crescendo.

"I usually take my three children to the Corniche celebration, but Al Maryah Island has been a pleasant change. I loved the fireworks, which simply get more and more imaginative every year. Like them, I wish the UAE a brilliant year ahead," Ibrahim Al Hosani, 32, an Emirati father, told Gulf News.

Gururaj Kumar, an IT specialist from India, was witnessing his first New Year's Eve in the capital.

"The sky erupted in a beautiful display, and the ambience here mirrors that of any world class city in Europe. It was a wonderful way to welcome 2016," he said.
Source: Gulf News