With only a few days to go before Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations begin, UAE residents are packing their bags for one last trip to some of the most popular destinations globally in 2024. New Year’s Eve is a time of celebration, reflection and fresh beginnings.
For many, it’s also an opportunity to indulge in spontaneous travel plans and experience the magic of ringing in the new year in a brand-new location. While some meticulously plan their New Year’s Eve celebrations months in advance, others thrive on the thrill of last-minute adventures.
Whether you’re seeking dazzling fireworks or unique cultural traditions, there are countless destinations around the world that cater to your preferences. Here is a list of some of the most popular last-minute destinations for celebrating New Year’s Eve, perfect for those looking to end the year with a new adventure.
Most popular international destinations
According to Expedia’s Winter Travel Outlook data, some of the most popular international destinations among UAE residents to celebrate New Year’s Eve are London and New York. The two cities are the most popular destinations this year, with bookings up 305 percent and 230 percent compared to last year.
Winter European adventures in picturesque cities also seem to be on the cards for UAE residents, with Paris, Istanbul and Vienna all growing in popularity, as travelers look to end the year embracing cultural experiences. For some, long-haul destinations offer unforgettable opportunities to wrap up 2024 in style, with travel to Tokyo, the Maldives and Singapore all seeing a surge in interest.
If you are planning to book a last-minute vacation to any of these popular destinations, here are some things you can do while visiting:
London
If you are planning to visit London this holiday season, the London New Year’s Eve fireworks are some of the best to watch. The city has a lot to offer during this season, from shows, events and parties to dinners, cruises and firework spotting. Watch London in all its glory from the river on City Cruises’ annual New Year’s Eve dinner cruises, where you can eat, drink and dance to ring in 2025. You can also treat yourself to a New Year’s Eve dinner cruise with great views of the fireworks onboard the Sarpedon for a truly memorable night.
Grab a ticket for New Year’s Eve at the Tattershall Castle opposite the London Eye, where you can celebrate the new year with a backdrop of the New Year’s Eve fireworks. You can also celebrate New Year’s Eve onboard the IFS Cloud Cable Car, featuring a three-course meal, drinks and a live DJ with striking views of the London fireworks.
While you are in the city, make sure to catch the London New Year’s Day Parade. Then, hit the shops in one of London’s top shopping destinations to enjoy the January sales. Explore the Christmas lights and Christmas trees while exploring the city’s streets.
New York
Every year as the clock nears midnight on December 31, the eyes of the world turn to the dazzling lights and bustling energy of Times Square. New Year’s Eve at the symbolic center of New York City has become more than just a celebration, it’s a global tradition. So if you are planning to visit the city during the holiday season, heading to Times Square is a must.
Another classic event on the day is the Midnight Fireworks that are shot in different areas of New York. For the best views, you can go up to one of the observatories like the Empire State Building or the new ONE WORLD. Fireworks are also launched in Central Park and near the Statue of Liberty. To admire the main fireworks show in New York Bay and over the Statue of Liberty, it is best to choose one of the dinner cruises in the Bay of New York.
Paris
UAE residents traveling to France for New Year’s Eve must head to the Arc de Triomphe where fireworks and a light show will be held starting a 10 PM. The festivities include colorful light projections, live entertainment and a spectacular fireworks display at midnight that lasts 10 minutes. The Champs-Élysées transforms into a lively pedestrian zone and Montmartre offers excellent views of the shows.
For a different viewpoint, head to the Trocadéro for a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower. This year’s celebration starts at 7 PM, with live performances and DJ sets.
Disneyland Paris also hosts a family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration every year that runs from 8:30 PM to 1:00 PM. This special event, which is separate from regular park tickets, offers exclusive experiences, including fireworks displays and a nighttime parade featuring Disney characters. The park’s attractions stay open late so guests can enjoy some of the most popular rides under the stars.
Istanbul
As the clock strikes midnight, locals and tourists gather at Üsküdar to experience the best fireworks displays during New Year’s Eve in Istanbul. Along with the beautiful scenic views, Üsküdar provides a variety of dining options to enjoy the last meal of the year with your family and friends, making it a top spot to welcome the new year. Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Üsküdar gives you an amazing chance to immerse yourself in the local cultural celebrations.
There are plenty of things to do in Istanbul on New Year’s Eve including exploring popular museums, restaurants, cafes, and lively streets. On Istiklal Street, you can take a ride on the iconic red tram, explore Madame Tussauds, and admire the city’s most beautiful churches during the daytime. In the evening, you can watch the beautiful glimpse of massive fireworks up above in the sky.
Vienna
Heldenplatz is a large public space in Vienna and is among the best places to visit during New Year’s Eve. It turns out into a huge party area, offering plenty of things to do, including watching exciting fireworks, joining the stages to enjoy live music, and indulging in a variety of food and drinks.
Graben is another famous street in Vienna and is widely known for its cultural attractions such as the cathedral and the museum, all of which are great vantage points to experience the beautiful fireworks. Rathausplatz is also one of the most popular destinations to visit on New Year’s Eve. The location provides one of the best vantage points to enjoy New Year’s fireworks.
Tokyo
While fireworks shows are uncommon in Japan, there are several ways you can welcome the new year like the locals. Traditional activities on New Year’s Eve include watching the popular music program “Kohaku Uta Gassen” on television and visiting a shrine or temple around midnight. If you are in Japan during New Year’s Even, you can join the crowds doing hatsumode, the year’s first visit to a shrine or temple. Hatsumode festivities are held at every shrine and temple across Japan during the first few days of the year, especially on January 1.
Many tourist attractions, stores, restaurants, banks and ATMs are closed on one or more days between December 29 and January 4, limiting your sightseeing, shopping and dining choices.
Shibuya is an ideal place to experience the New Year celebration in Tokyo including massive street parties, comedy shows and dinners. Asakusa on New Year’s also gives everyone an incredible experience. There are many things to do in Asakusa, including exploring Shrine temples, amusement parks, street festivities and New Year grand parties.
Maldives
For those who are planning to welcome the New Year and looking forward to both leisure and fun activities, Maldives is the best place to visit during this time of the year. Most resorts offer lively New Year’s Eve events that include entertainment, delicious meals and firework shows.
Popular places to celebrate New Year’s Eve include Furanafushi, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Dhigali, Dhangethi, South Male Atoll, North Male Atoll, Sirru Fen Fushi and Velaa Private Island. The Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa on Furanafushi Island hosts a vibrant New Year’s Eve party with music and a Gala Dinner at one of its seven restaurants. Guests can indulge in delicious gastronomy and enjoy a variety of fun activities during their stay.
Another popular destination to celebrate the new year in the Maldives is the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort on Vommuli Island Dhaalu Atoll. The resort offers a beach party, extravagant festivities, live events, authentic Maldivian cuisine, drinks and fireworks.
Singapore
Ring in the New Year with a bang at Singapore’s largest countdown celebration at Marina Bay. The Marina Bay Singapore Countdown stands as one of our island’s most iconic celebrations, marking the perfect way to welcome the new. Known as the world’s largest light and multimedia show, illumi is hosting a series of events this year-end including the magical New Year’s Eve experience where families can picnic under the stars.
A popular pedestrian bridge that connects Marina Centre to Marina South, the Helix is one of the best vantage spots to watch the New Year’s Eve 2025 fireworks in Singapore. You can also head to the waterfront promenade at Bay East Garden where there will be several great spots for stunning views of fireworks. The garden is open 24 hours and admission is free.
Read| New Year’s Eve in UAE: Best places to watch fireworks in Abu Dhabi, Dubai
Most popular local destinations
One of the easiest ways to make use of the holiday season and any remaining annual leave you have is to book a staycation in some of the UAE’s most popular destinations. Expedia’s recent Winter Travel Outlook highlights a trend towards close-to-home destinations, ideal for those looking to make the most of the festivities.
The UAE continues to capture the hearts and minds of travelers. Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah rank in the top five destinations UAE travelers are visiting over the festive period, all proving to be more than twice as popular as last year. Dubai saw a 130 percent increase in bookings while Abu Dhabi saw a 210 percent increase. A standout destination this year is Ras Al Khaimah which saw an impressive 295 percent surge in bookings.
For New Year’s Eve specifically, the UAE has a lot to offer from spectacular firework displays overlooking the Burj Khalifa to the serenity of mountain views at the top of Jebel Jais, the highest mountain peak in the UAE, where temperatures are 10 degrees lower than the sea level. Deemed “the best time of the year,” Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah are the most popular hotspots to see in 2025 and continue to appeal to residents, as they increase in popularity by 120 percent and 240 percent, respectively.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Dubai
Dubai is one of the most amazing destinations to celebrate New Year’s Eve. UAE residents and tourists from around the world converge in the city to witness its dazzling fireworks shows, tourism offerings and multicultural cuisine.
One of the most popular destinations globally to celebrate New Year’s Eve is Dubai’s famous Burj Khalifa. All eyes will be on Downtown Dubai’s spectacular pyrotechnics, light and laser extravaganza on December 31. Head to Dubai Mall to watch The Dubai Fountain’s spectacular light and water show as it builds up to a grand finale at midnight.
If you’re celebrating as a family, consider spending the evening at Burj Park, located on a small island on Burj Lake with clear views of the fountain shows. Just as the final moments of 2024 unfold, more than 110 experts from 11 countries will present a nine-minute showcase – Beyond Dreams – with original music and dazzling displays of more than 200 state-of-the-art light beams.
Other places to celebrate in Dubai include Atlantis, The Palm, Global Village, Al Seef, Bluewaters Island and The Beach.
Abu Dhabi’s festive offerings
If you are planning to visit Abu Dhabi on New Year’s Eve, stroll down Abu Dhabi Corniche to watch the dazzling fireworks. You can watch the show from the 2023 MOTN Festival, Manar at Lulu Island or Corniche Beach to get the best views. For a more exhilarating celebration, you can also rent a jet ski and head out to sea.
Yas Island also offers plenty of fun year-round, and Yas Bay Waterfront is filled with funky rooftop lounges and a host of venues where you can enjoy New Year’s Eve fireworks. Head to Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Marina, Yas Beach or Manar at Samaliyah Island for the best views of the Yas Island fireworks show.
Some of the most popular destinations to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Abu Dhabi also include Sheikh Zayed Festival, Madinat Zayed Public Park, Al Hudayriyat Island and Al Maryah Island.
Read| New Year’s Eve 2025: Ras Al Khaimah plans stunning 15-minute show, fireworks
Watch Ras Al Khaimah’s fireworks
Ras Al Khaimah is set to dazzle the world with an unprecedented drone and fireworks display that will take center stage during the New Year’s Eve celebration in an attempt to set new Guinness World Records titles. Themed ‘Our Story in the Sky’, the 15-minute display will be the longest New Year’s Eve show produced in the emirate to date, unfolding in three acts inspired by the natural beauty, heritage, and culture of Ras Al Khaimah.
Residents and visitors can enjoy free entry to the RAK NYE Festival with dedicated areas for families and bachelors. The RAK NYE Festival provides a full evening of entertainment leading up to the midnight display, including live music performances, children’s activities, and a vibrant selection of food trucks. This year’s stage will feature Arabic rap artist Mukhtaar, the Fahmil Khan Band delivering Bollywood beats, and an international DJ, ensuring a musical feast for every taste.
