The Burj Khalifa has a special place when it comes to celebrating New Year. The celebrations began on Thursday, much ahead of New Year’s Eve, with a music concert by Hussein Al Jasmi, popular Emirati singer.The ‘world’s largest firework display’ mesmerised over two billion viewers last year New Year’s eve, with more than 600,000 watching it live from the venue.This year’s celebration is expected to attract an even greater audience and the various authorities have come together to make this a truly memorable event.Leading to the extravaganza, a festive atmosphere around Downtown Dubai has already been created with the entire Emaar Boulevard surrounding Downtown being lit up.
The celebrations are open to the public and they can watch the celebrations from Burj Park, an island overlooking the Burj Khalifa, set on Burj Lake. Visitors can also enjoy the celebrations from the Waterfront Promenade lining the adjacent Dubai Mall, Burj Plaza, the 3.5km Emaar Boulevard, The Pavilion in Downtown Dubai, and other areas in Downtown Dubai, in addition to a drive-in designated location in Al Meydan area.The celebrations began on Thursday, much ahead of New Year’s Eve, with a music concert by Hussein Al Jasmi, popular Emirati singer.The ‘world’s largest firework display’ mesmerised over two billion viewers last year New Year’s eve, with more than 600,000 watching it live from the venue.This year’s celebration is expected to attract an even greater audience and the various authorities have come together to make this a truly memorable event.Leading to the extravaganza, a festive atmosphere around Downtown Dubai has already been created with the entire Emaar Boulevard surrounding Downtown being lit up.The celebrations are open to the public and they can watch the celebrations from Burj Park, an island overlooking the Burj Khalifa, set on Burj Lake. Visitors can also enjoy the celebrations from the Waterfront Promenade lining the adjacent Dubai Mall, Burj Plaza, the 3.5km Emaar Boulevard, The Pavilion in Downtown Dubai, and other areas in Downtown Dubai, in addition to a drive-in designated location in Al Meydan area.
A delicious start to the New Year...
If all-out partying isn’t your thing, check out these New Year’s Eve dinner options.If you’re still undecided about where to spend your New Year’s Eve, we bring you a lowdown on some of the coolest events happening around town .Dubai Media Incorporated will also broadcast celebrations live on Dubai TV, Dubai One, and Dubai FM. Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Managing Director, Emaar Properties, said: “The New Year’s Celebrations 2012 will once again put Dubai in the global spotlight, and underline the city’s competencies in hosting world-class festive events. The countdown to the New Year and the fireworks will reiterate the eminent position of Downtown Dubai as ‘The Centre of Now’ and offer visitors from around a world a memorable experience as they welcome the new year in Dubai.”Visitors are encouraged to use public transport like metro and buses, which will be open throughout the night, while those preferring to drive in are urged to reach the destination before 8pm. The RTA, along with the Dubai Police will close all entries leading to the venue, once all parking spots are filled in and around Dubai Mall. Designated parking lots away from the venue have been made available at Meydan, the Dubai World Trade Centre and Zabeel Park, from where 63 direct buses will shuttle people to the venue.New Year’s Celebrations 2012 in Downtown Dubai is being organised with the support of the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), the Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Defence, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, the Centre of Ambulance Services, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Dubai Media Incorporated and Dubai Events & Promotions Establishment (DEPE), with Emaar, developer of Downtown taking the lead. An impressive array of fireworks, song and dance sequences and performance art will mark the New Year Celebrations at the Global Village.Catering to a global audience, performers from as many as 45 countries are expected to participate in the events, many of which would be free of cost.The entire Global Village has been decorated and each country pavilion, has come out with its own folk shows and colours to represent the true spirit of the place.  Visitors can also enjoy special shopping offers, specially planned for the New Year’s eve, while fully illuminated boats will offer rides through the lake and canal of the Global Village.The New Year celebrations at Global Village include a festive parade that will take place on Saturday evening at 11.15pm, starting from Gate 1 and ending next to Wheels of Danger Show location.  It includes rich diverse folk costumes and flags for every pavilion’s country and will present distinguished entertainment experience to the audience. The parade will include special shows from China, Egypt, Pakistan, Yemen, Morocco, Thailand, Africa, Afghanistan, India as well as the UAE.