Planning to be in Dubai when 2027 rolls in? You're spoiled for choice. A new round-up lists more than 225 ways to spend New Year's Eve across the city, spanning free-entry beach parties, French seven-course feasts, Irish pubs, karaoke pods and family brunches — with prices starting from around Dhs100.
For music fans, the big names are at the beach clubs. House producer Sonny Fodera headlines Bohemia Beach Club at FIVE Palm Jumeirah, joined by Radio 1's Danny Howard, with fireworks over the skyline as the countdown hits zero — entry from Dhs100 for ladies and Dhs150 for gents, or Dhs500 for a backstage package with five drinks. Over at FIVE LUXE JBR, PAWSA plays an open-air Pacha ICONS party framed by Ain Dubai and the Gulf, with entry at Dhs300 if you arrive before 11pm.
Dinner-and-fireworks types have plenty too. Bistro des Arts on Dubai Marina Walk runs a seven-course Parisian menu (lobster bisque, scallops, beef tenderloin, cheese trolley) from Dhs499, with live French singing. Carna at SLS Dubai offers an early seating with no minimum spend, or a later one with live entertainment and fireworks views from the 69th floor from Dhs1,500 per table. Leña at St Regis Gardens skips the minimum spend entirely and gives you a direct line of sight to the Atlantis fireworks over Palm Jumeirah.
Families are well covered. Brasserie by McGettigan's at Expo City runs two seatings — a family countdown from 5pm (Dhs195, kids Dhs95) and an adults-only midnight session after 9pm. Several restaurants add babysitting so parents can linger: Bakalis Greek Grill Taverna at Th8 Palm and Em-Brasa Churrasco in Garhoud both offer it. Kids under six eat free at Garden by Kitchen 6 in the JW Marriott Marquis, and under-fives eat free at Ernst Biergarten, where a live German brass band plays until 12.30am.
On a budget? The Dubliner's Irish pub at Le Méridien starts at Dhs275, Joe's Backyard in Dubai Festival City does a four-course set menu with unlimited drinks from Dhs399, and Jones the Grocer in Silicon Oasis serves a three-course dinner for just Dhs179 (Dhs308 with free-flow house drinks). At the other end, Chez Wam and CQ French Brasserie keep things flexible with à la carte and no minimum spend — handy if you'd rather eat light and save your dirhams for drinks.
Quirky options worth a look: Garden on 8 at Media One hosts an interactive murder mystery dinner from Dhs359, Lucky Voice offers karaoke pods for groups of four to 30 from Dhs600, and Lock, Stock & Barrel brings live bands and unlimited drinks to three locations for Dhs400-500.
Who's this for? Anyone spending the holidays in the UAE who wants to lock in a plan before venues sell out — the smart move is booking early, since the best-value packages and early-bird rates (Garden on 8's expires December 15) reward quick decisions. Fireworks seekers should prioritise venues with Burj Khalifa, Atlantis or rooftop views, and arrive early: several parties price entry cheaper before 11pm.
