NY 2021: UAE says Happy New Year 2021 with 33 fireworks shows

The UAE ended 2020 with a bang. Literally. About 33 fireworks shows lit up the skies simultaneously as the clock struck 12 and ushered in the New Year 2021.

Abu Dhabi's Al Wathba hosted a 35-minute fireworks show that is set to smash two world records.

Dubai's Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab and the Dubai Frame; Sharjah's Al Majaz Waterfront; Ras Al Khaimah's Al Marjan Island; Ajman's Corniche; and Fujairah's Corniche put up spectacular shows that will light up the memories of revellers for years to come.

Here is how the socially distanced celebrations unfolded as chronicled by Khaleej Times reporters and multimedia journalists.

12am, 2021

Burj Khalifa with the Khaleej Times crew as we bring to you the fireworks and light show live from the venue to ring in New Year 2020.

Abu Dhabi's record-breaking 35-min fireworks show was like a dream

“This is like a dream come true,” said six-year-old Maheen after the Sheikh Zayed Festival’s record-breaking fireworks show in Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba. Touted as the biggest-ever New Year party in the country, the event lived up to its billing and exceeded expectations with a heavy-duty dose of entertainment.

The world’s first-ever Girandola fireworks show and the largest straight-line display, filled citizens and residents with fresh hope and optimism. All that packed in a 35-minute long spectacle.

New Year fireworks at the Global Village. Photo by Juidin Bernarrd

Spectacular fireworks at Jumeirah beach. Photo by Shihab

Fireworks at The Dubai Frame. Photo by Muhammad Mustafa Khan

Sharjah fireworks at Al Majaz Waterfront. - Photo by M.Sajjad

New Year 2021 UAE: 8,500kg of fireworks lights up Ras Al Khaimah

The Ras Al Khaimah New Year’s Eve Celebrations dazzled the world with a 10-minute fireworks show that underlined the UAE’s message of hope, peace and achievements.

11:58pm

Dubai Police chief inspects Burj Khalifa security preparations

11.15pm

'This is the most beautiful place to be,' says British family of 15

11.01pm

Dubai fireworks ring in Pakistan's New Year 2021

Fireworks lit up the night sky over Dubai's Global Village as Pakistan ushered in the New Year 2021.

11pm

Burj Khalifa wishes Pakistan a Happy New Year 2021

The Burj Khalifa has lit up in Pakistani colours as the country ushered in the New Year 2021.

10.45pm

Kiss performs live at Atlantis, The Palm

Join us as we build up to the New Year's Eve gala at Downtown Dubai. Fireworks are set to light up the entire city at 33 different locations in the UAE.

10:35pm

Dubai fireworks ring in India's New Year 2021

Fireworks lit up the night sky over Dubai's Global Village as India ushered in the New Year 2020. Dubai's Global Village also lit up in Indian colours.

10:30pm

Burj Khalifa lights up as India rings in New Year 2021

Dubai's Burj Khalifa lit up in Indian colours as India ushered in the New Year 2021.

10.26pm

New Year at Global Village: An aerial view

10.15pm

KISS performs live at Atlantis, The Palm

Join us as we build up to the New Year's Eve gala at Downtown Dubai. Fireworks are set to light up the entire city at 33 different locations in the UAE

10.10pm

All entrances to Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard closed

The Dubai Police have alerted motorists that all entrances to the Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard have been closed.

Earlier, the police had said that the Lower Financial Centre Road and Al Asayel Streets were closed.

10.05pm

An array of entertainment activities are keeping the visitors busy at Al Seef. First up, Emiratis treated the crowd to the traditional Arabic dance called the ‘Al Ayala.’

- James Jose

10pm

Families wait to watch the spectacular fireworks at the Jumeirah beach on New Year's eve. - Photo by Shihab

9.40pm

Happy New Year, Philippines!

“The Philippines just celebrated the New Year. I would like to wish all my Kababayans a wonderful year, a year filled with love and happiness. I’ve lived in Bur Dubai for five years now and I’ve been coming here since Al Seef opened. I prefer coming here to witness the fireworks rather than going to Downtown to watch it at Burj Khalifa because it is too crowded out there. Al Seef has a charm of its own," says Honey Margaret Gapulao, 29

- James Jose

9.38pm

3 hours to go; all safety checks done

Brig. Rashid Khalifa Al Falasi, Assistant Director General of the Dubai Civil Defence for Fire and Rescue Affairs, has visited Downtown Dubai to check preparations to secure the grand NYE event. The Burj Khalifa fireworks and the 32 others happening around the UAE will dazzle the world in less than three hours!

9.20pm

World's longest ambulance in Dubai serves Downtown revellers

The world’s longest ambulance has been stationed in Downtown Dubai. Paramedics on board are offering emergency services to New Year’s Eve revellers who may need it. The Government of Dubai Media Office has tweeted photos of the ambulance.

9.10pm

A gravity space man, roller skate girls, and Mr Dripping ME DubME DubaiAtrium by Zaha Hadid in Business Bay, in the heart of Burj Khalifa district.

9.07pm

The Dubai Police have shared a video that shows how they are managing traffic and ensuring Covid safety measures in Downtown Dubai. Have a look:

9.06pm

Let the virtual parties begin: A woman at a restaurant in Dubai makes sure her mum gets to be part of the celebrations via video call. The elderly and people with chronic diseases have been advised to stay home to stay safe this NYE. - Photo by Neeraj Murali

9.03pm

A Cappy New Year! For Filipino residentin Dubai Jay Burce, the New Year 2021 will be different. He is all set to usher in the New Year at the Global Village with this innovative cap. Photo by Juidin Bernarrd

9pm

LIVE: 3 hours to 2021. We are in Downdown Dubai counting down to tonight's midnight fireworks from Burj Khalifa

8:52pm

5-minute fireworks show to light up Al Ain Square

If you’re in Al Ain and still can’t decide where to watch the fireworks in a few hours, here’s the good news: A five-minute spectacle will light up the skies at Al Ain Square in the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium area at midnight.

Those who are heading to the venue are urged to follow all safety measures, the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office tweeted. Wear your face mask at all times and participate in events only with your family, it added.

Crowds should be avoided and maintain the safe distance of two meters from others. If you are unwell, it is best to stay home.

8:36pm

Another key Dubai road closed, alternative routes announced

The Lower Financial Centre Road is now closed, the Dubai Police have tweeted. The Roads and Transport Authority has specified alternative routes that motorists can take: First Business Bay St., Al Meydan St., 2nd Za'abeel Rd., and Latifa Bint Hamdan St.

Earlier in the day, Al Asayel Street was closed.

8:25pm

Look: Dubai doctors on e-scooters around Burj Khalifa

Paramedics stationed around the Burj Khalifa are using environment-friendly electric scooters to provide emergency assistance to those who may need it.

The Government of Dubai Media Office has posted photos of the paramedics doing their job ahead of the spectacular New Year's Eve fireworks show.

8:10pm

Live from Palm Jumeirah as the nation is awaiting the celebrations to ring in the new year

8:05pm

Final camping session of 2020: With four hours to go to ring in the New Year 2021, Dubai resident Sarath Babu and his family are all cozy in their tent on the Jumeirah Beach. They will ring in the New Year as the Burj Khalifa fireworks light up the night sky. - Photo by Shihab

8:04pm

BurjKhalifa wishes Happy NewY ear to countries where it is 2021 already

8:00pm

Dubai's first NYE fireworks usher in 2021 in China

Dubai's Global Village has just hosted the UAE's first fireworks show. The display at 8pm ushered in the New Year 2021 in China. The destination will host six more fireworks until 1am on January 1 to celebrate the New Year in six time zones.

7:49pm

Another key Dubai road closed

The Lower Financial Centre Road is now closed, the Dubai Police have tweeted. Earlier in the day, Al Asayel Street was closed.

7:32pm

Hundreds of citizens and residents continue to reach the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba for New Year celebrations and catch the world-record smashing fireworks show. - Photo by Ashwani Kumar

7:19pm

We are so looking forward to 2021: KHDA

Check out the Knowledge and Human Development Authority's hilarious (and inspiring) New Year tweet

7:15pm

3 field hospitals around Burj Khalifa to keep you safe

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has set up three field hospitals and deployed “several” medical teams in Downtown Dubai to ensure safety during the New Year’s Eve (NYE) celebrations. Over 55 medical staff have been deployed at these field hospitals. Read about it here

7:09pm

Atlantis, The Palm testing lights preparing for KISS meanwhile inside the restaurants are starting get busy with keen residents and tourists ready to bring on 2021. - Photo: Mitchell Finlayson (Intern)

7:02pm

Burj Khalifa lights up with '2021' - Photo by Neeraj Murali

7:00pm

Live from Umm Suquiem park where people have spread their picnic mats and have put up their tents to watch the fireworks withh he their loved ones at the backdrop of Burk Al Arab hotel.

6:49pm

Traffic builds up on Jumeirah Road. Photo by Shihab/KT

6:48pm

5 hours to go; 33 UAE spots set for fireworks

Did you know that fireworks will light up UAE skies from 33 locations across six emirates? Read about it here.

6:45pm

5 hours to go for 2021: A family is all set for the NYE Burj Al Arab fireworks show that will end 2020 and usher in the new year 2021. — Photo: Shihab

6:40pm

Pakistani expat excited to mark first NYE in Dubai

Pakistani national Azba Juzer is excited about marking her first New Year in Dubai.

Gazing at the iconic Burj Al Arab, an excited Azba said: “This is probably the best time of the year for us as the weather is perfect. We feel lucky to be in the UAE ... as we are able to move around freely.

"I am looking forward to the fireworks that take place here near the Burj Al Arab, as I’ve heard it is one of the best in the city.”

- Reporting: Saman; Photo: Shihab

6:30pm

Khaleej Times journalists are at Al Seef as we build up to the New Year's Eve Gala in Downtown Dubai with Burj Khalifa fireworks at midnight.

6:10pm

Historic Dubai district all set for 3-min fireworks show

As the sun set over us for the final time in 2020, here we are at Al Seef in old Dubai, a place so steeped in history.

Dubai’s popular waterfront promenade, will host a three-minute dazzling fireworks display, at midnight, to delight New Year’s Eve revelers.

- James Jose

6:05pm

NYE vibes at The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah

6:00pm

Live from beach next to Burj Al Arab where crowd is building up to watch the spectacular fireworks

5:30pm

New year 2021: UAE's last sunset of the decade

As the UAE gets ready to host spectacular fireworks and events to ring in the new year 2021, an orange glow has taken over the skies. The country has just witnessed its last sunset of the year 2020 and the decade. Have a look:

5:30pm

It’s half past five, lovely weather and with the sun about to set, the crowd is building up. People are carrying chairs, water bottles, jackets, snacks, tea and stuff to enjoy a wonderful evening in the picturesque Global Village.

5:24pm

750-strong team all set to clean up the city

The Dubai Municipality has set up a special team to clean the emirate up after New Year's Eve (NYE) celebrations. About 500 cleaners and 250 volunteers will be stationed across the city.

5:22pm

Abu Dhabi set for 35-minute fireworks show

Residents and flocking to the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba. Those who haven’t booked the Dh5 entry ticket can buy one on the site. Multiple layers of security checks are in place to ensure Covid safety measures.

Apart from the highlight — a 35-minute record-breaking fireworks display — there are several other activities, including pavilions of different countries, fountain shows, activities for children, exhibitions highlighting the UAE culture and heritage, and more. -