UAE says Happy New Year with record-breaking fireworks, ball drop, shows; as it happened

With 2022 fast approaching, more and more people are flocking to Ain Dubai in Bluewaters Island to catch the fireworks.

10.45pm: Emirati singer Eida Al Menhali wows crowd

Eida Al Menhali performed during the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Abu Dhabi.

10.26pm: Something for all ages

In addition to enriching cultural programmes, the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Abu Dhabi hosted a series of performances to delight viewers of all ages.

10pm: Countdown begins

With just two hours left until the grand celebrations, revellers have donned their party hats and 2022-themed glasses to ring in the new year.

9.40pm: Double-checking safety preparations

Lt-Gen Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, commander-in-chief of Dubai Police, as well as the Events Security Committee, are carrying out final checks to secure the New Year's Eve celebrations.

9.27pm: Ain Dubai visitors amped up for fireworks

Upbeat DJ tracks are setting the mood at Ain Dubai, where revellers are celebrating New Year's Eve in a socially-distanced setting.

9.18pm: 850 volunteers to ensure safety

Khaleej Times caught up with a volunteer-run frontline group that ensures the event is safe for all attendees.

Husain Al Balooshi, the programme manager of Sanid and Takatof, volunteer-led organisations under the Emirates Foundation, said a total of 850 volunteers were deployed at Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai on Friday.

The organisation works in collaboration in Emaar and government entities to ensure all safety protocols are followed.

9.03pm: A dazzling display of culture

Cultural programmes have begun at the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Abu Dhabi.

8.57pm: Mesmerising parade wows crowd in Majaz

Colourful parades were the centre of attention at Al Majaz Waterfront just hours before midnight.

8.39pm: UAE rulers send New Year greetings to world leaders

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent cables of congratulations and New Year greetings to world leaders.

Sheikh Khalifa wished them good health and more progress and prosperity to their peoples.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, also dispatched similar cables on the occasion.

8.28pm: Dubai is 'ideal' for having the safest New Year, say tourists

Nicole Longhi and her husband Francesco from Italy wanted to have the safest New Year and they thought Dubai is ideal.

“Your chances of getting Covid in Italy is much higher than in Dubai. And the weather is perfect. So, we thought if we are taking the risk and travelling, be that to Dubai,” said Longhi.

8.12pm: Drone show dazzles JBR

Spectacular drone show lights up skies of JBR, celebrating the traditional symbols of UAE, including the coffee 'dala' and 'burqa'.

8.04pm: Expo 2020 alerts remind visitors to stay safe

Expo 2020 Dubai visitors get safety alerts on their mobile phones reminding them to follow Covid safety protocols, including wearing masks and following social distancing.

8pm: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomes 2022 with hope and optimism

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, welcomed the new year with optimism for the future.

On Twitter, Sheikh Mohamed wrote: "We welcome the new year with hope and optimism for the future and a shared determination to continue building on the achievements of our nation. May the year ahead bring peace and well-being to the people of the UAE and the world."

7.55pm: 'Peace prevails and future blooms in Dubai'

Christopher van Dierendonck, 19, and his mother Astrid van Dierendonck have flown from Germany to celebrate their New Year in Dubai.

“I am an avid traveller and wanted to experience all the country pavilions at Expo. I felt good the moment we stepped in to the Dubai airport, where thorough safety measures are being followed,” said Dierendonck.

His mother Astrid, a piano teacher, said she chose Dubai because there is peace and prosperity.

“I am interested in going to places where peace prevails and future blooms. I saw it in Dubai,” she said. “I want my son to remember this trip and treasure everything that he sees here."

7.47pm: Rain fails to dampen festivities

Rainfall across Dubai and the wider UAE, including the Expo 2020 site, has not impacted operations, organisers have confirmed.

“For 13 hours, visitors will be able to celebrate New Year's Eve with the world at Expo 2020 Dubai,” organisers said in a statement to Khaleej Times.

“With enhanced safety measures and countless family-friendly outdoor activities, it’s the perfect place to see in 2022, enjoy exciting entertainment and experience cultures from across the globe.”

7.35pm: 'We are pinching ourselves; Dubai is like a dream'

Jana Daignaulg, her husband Garry, and family from Canada are visiting one of their daughters in Dubai.

“We are pinching ourselves. Dubai is like a dream,” said Garry.

Jana added: “Dubai was leading the world in vaccination rates. It is clean and safe. People are so wonderful here. As Covid infections are rising across the world, we feel safer in Dubai as people are masking up and everyone is vaccinated,” said Jana.

7.15pm: How Dubai Police are ensuring Covid safety

The Dubai Police are doing their part to ensure the New Year's Eve celebrations are both safe and enjoyable.

Take a glimpse at how the force is securing New Year's celebrations and implementing strategies to ensure smooth traffic flow and crowd management in compliance with Covid-19 measures.

7.12pm: Get a free ride to Expo 2020

The Expo Rider bus service will give free rides to Expo 2020 Dubai visitors. Nine departure stations are available across Dubai, as well as other emirates.

7.03pm: First-ever daytime fireworks

The first-ever daytime show celebrated New Year 2022 in Australia. Seven more firework shows are scheduled at Dubai's Global Village to mark the beginning of a new year in a different country around the world.

7pm: Another key Dubai road closed

The Upper Financial Centre Road is now closed in both directions, the Dubai Police said in an update.

6.45pm: Share your 2022 wishes on Burj Khalifa

Messages sent by residents and tourists are being beamed on the world's tallest building.

Master developer Emaar had tweeted earlier: "Don’t forget to share your wishes for 2022 in the comments using #EmaarNYE22 for the chance to appear on @BurjKhalifa."

6.35pm: Expo 2020 mascots welcome visitors

Rashid and Latifa are just as excited about the New Year's Eve festivities as anyone else. The Expo 2020 mascots were seen welcoming visitors to the Al Wasl Plaza.

6.25pm: Another road closure announced

Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) swung into action to restore smooth traffic flow in the Emirate.