Most people when they think New Year in Dubai, they think of some big hotel, gala dinner, room facing Burj Khalifa. And then they check the price and close the website. On 31st the hotel rates goes very high and many of them ask for two or three nights minimum, so one night celebration becomes a full holiday budget. But you don’t really need a hotel to enjoy the night here, there is lot of other ways and some of them are even more fun.
These are 10 options that works for families, couples and friends.
- Book a Dinner Cruise in Dubai Marina
This one gives the best value for most people. New Year dinner cruise Dubai package mostly comes with buffet or set dinner, soft drinks, some music and the fireworks around Marina, JBR and Ain Dubai, all in one per person price. You see the towers all lit up from the water and there is no street crowd to deal with. Side seats near the railing get booked first so better to book in early December or even before, and ask from which jetty the boat leaves because Marina has more than one.
- Take a Dhow Cruise on the Creek
Creek side has a different charm, more old Dubai. The New Year dhow cruise Creek generally have international buffet, Tanoura dance and live music on a wooden dhow, and from the water you can see fireworks from Dubai Festival City side. Among boat options this is one of the cheapest. Elders are also comfortable because the dhow is big and it moves slow in calm water.
- Global Village for the Evening
Global Village do countdowns for different countries in the night, so fireworks keep happening again and again, not just at 12. Ticket is not expensive, there is food from almost every country and kids love the rides. Families can watch one early countdown and reach home before the midnight rush start.
- Watch From JBR or Kite Beach
Free option. From JBR beach and Kite Beach you get the Atlantis and Burj Al Arab side fireworks, and sitting on sand is much better than standing whole night in Downtown. Go early, carry a mat, some snacks and jacket also because near sea it becomes cool at night. Only thing is coming back after midnight, taxis are difficult so if you are staying near JBR then just walk back to your place.
- Al Seef and the Creek Walk
Al Seef have those old style buildings, small cafes and Creek right in front of you. People do dinner there, walk on the waterfront and watch the Festival City fireworks from across. Calm, cheaper than Downtown and you see a different side of Dubai.
- Desert Camp New Year Night
Some desert safari camps keep special New Year’s Eve night with BBQ dinner, belly dance, fire show and their own countdown under the stars. City fireworks you will not see from there, but tourists remember this more than any hotel party. December desert night is cold, take warm clothes. Most camps also give pickup and drop from the city, so check if that is included in the price or you have to pay extra for it.
- Restaurant Outside the Hotels
Hotel restaurants put special New Year package with high price, but many independent restaurants in Marina Walk, The Walk at JBR, City Walk and Creek area keep normal menu or a small set menu which is much cheaper. Just call and reserve because they also gets full on that night.
- Shared Yacht Ticket
Suppose you want to be in open sea near the Palm and Atlantis but full boat rent is too much, then shared yacht ticket is the middle way. Per person price, dinner and DJ included, and boat goes to a good fireworks spot before 12. More costly than a dhow but still much less than hotel gala dinner. Also ask how many guests the boat takes, a boat with too many tickets sold will feel crowded at midnight when everybody comes to the deck for photos.
- Rooftop or Home Party
Lot of residents just call friends home, do small BBQ on the balcony or building rooftop and watch the Burj Khalifa show live on TV. No travel, no traffic, almost no cost.
- Welcome the First Sunrise
Some families do a quiet dinner on 31st, sleep early and next morning go to beach to watch the first sunrise of the year. Beach is almost empty at that time and it is very peaceful way to start the year.
Quick Comparison
| Option | Budget | Best for | Fireworks view |
| Marina dinner cruise | Medium | Couples, families | Marina, JBR, Ain Dubai side |
| Creek dhow cruise | Low to medium | Families, elders, tourists | Old Dubai and Festival City side |
| Global Village | Low | Families with kids | Early countdowns all night |
| JBR or Kite Beach | Free | Friends, budget travellers | Burj Al Arab, Atlantis side |
| Al Seef and Creek walk | Low | Couples, culture lovers | Festival City side |
| Desert camp night | Medium | Tourists, groups | Own countdown, no city view |
| Restaurant outside hotels | Low to medium | Couples, small groups | Depends on location |
| Shared yacht ticket | Medium | Couples, friends | Open sea, Palm and Atlantis |
| Rooftop or home party | Low | Residents, families | Live telecast or building view |
| First sunrise on the beach | Free | Anyone wanting calm | No fireworks, quiet start |
Whatever you choose, book early where booking is needed, and think before only how you are going back home after midnight because taxi is very hard to get at that time. Hotel is not needed for a good New Year night in Dubai.