The Higher Committee of the Sheikh Zayed Festival is preparing to host one of the largest New Year’s Eve celebrations in the UAE and the region at Al Wathba, featuring an unprecedented 62-minute fireworks show, the world’s largest drone performance and a diverse lineup of cultural and heritage events presented by participating countries, sponsors and strategic partners. The celebration reinforces the festival as a global platform for culture, entertainment and community connection.
The festival will present a landmark fireworks display aiming to break five new Guinness World Records. The show will unfold in five stages throughout New Year’s Eve, beginning at 8pm and culminating at midnight with the main display, which will run for 62 minutes continuously. The fireworks will utilise advanced synchronisation and launch technologies, illuminating the Al Wathba skyline on an unprecedented scale.
Visitors will also witness a drone show featuring 6,500 drones performing in a single 20-minute sortie. The show includes nine giant aerial formations presented for the first time globally, synchronised with a digital countdown and integrated with the fireworks display, offering a visually immersive experience that highlights innovative entertainment technologies.
This year’s programme will feature strong participation from official sponsors and strategic partners, each contributing within their dedicated spaces across the festival grounds. Contributions include interactive cultural activations by government partners, technical support from specialised partners and cultural and musical programmes presented by participating countries, underscoring the role of partnerships in elevating national events and enhancing the festival’s status as a leading global cultural destination.
The festival will also present traditional Emirati performances including Al Ayala, Al Razfa and Al Nadooba, alongside international performance groups. Carnival-style parades, musical shows and cultural demonstrations will take place throughout the evening. Family programming includes children’s shows at the Kids’ Theatre and activities at the newly opened Wonderland entertainment city.
The Higher Committee has expanded operational preparations to accommodate large visitor numbers, including increased entry and exit gates, wider pedestrian paths, strengthened safety and medical services and the deployment of specialised field teams to ensure smooth visitor movement. Entry will close once capacity is reached to maintain visitor safety. The public is encouraged to follow official channels and secure tickets early.
The committee urged the public to follow the festival’s official channels and secure their tickets early to ensure entry and benefit from available services. These preparations reflect the festival’s aim to deliver one of the region’s most remarkable New Year celebrations, combining tradition, innovation and global entertainment to welcome 2026 in a vibrant atmosphere.
