Spectacular New Year Plastered with Drones, Fireworks

62-minute Fireworks and 6,500 Drones: Stunning New Year Celebration at Al Wathba Festival

As the year draws to a close, the United Arab Emirates is once again preparing to celebrate the New Year in a spectacular and innovative way. On New Year's Eve 2025, Al Wathba near Abu Dhabi will play a special role as it hosts one of the region's largest and most spectacular New Year celebrations. The event is part of the famous Sheikh Zayed Festival, which has been offering a unique blend of cultural heritage and modern entertainment for years. However, this year's celebration is set to surpass all previous ones: organizers promise a 62-minute fireworks display and a world premiere spectacle with 6,500 drones.

The show unfolds in five stages

The event series begins at 8 p.m. and reaches its peak at midnight. The multi-stage program gradually introduces the audience to the atmosphere, culminating in a synchronized, spectacular fireworks display. The showcase aims to break no less than five Guinness World Records in various pyrotechnic and timing categories. The technology used employs the most advanced synchronization and launch solutions to create the greatest possible visual impact for the audience.

The world's largest drone show

Undoubtedly, one of the highlights of the show will be the 20-minute display involving 6,500 drones, which is unparalleled globally. The drones will form nine huge, three-dimensional aerial formations—shapes that have never been seen anywhere in the world before. The aerial choreography is not only impressive by itself, but also moves in sync with a digital countdown and fireworks display, providing a completely unique, multimedia experience for the visitors. This kind of integration illustrates how traditional celebrations can be combined with cutting-edge technological solutions.

Emirati traditions and international entertainment

While the drones and fireworks attract the most attention, the event is about much more than just visual elements. During the evening, traditional Emirati performances will also be showcased, featuring hundreds of performers. These include Al Ayala, Al Razfa, and Al Nadooba, which are intended not only to present cultural heritage but also to reinterpret it in a contemporary context.

Participating countries will color the evening with carnival-like parades, musical productions, and cultural performances. These elements are not only entertaining but also provide an opportunity to strengthen connections between different nations.

Family-friendly programs: special focus on children

Organizers have paid special attention to families as well. The youngest ones can enjoy children's performances and interactive activities at the Kids Theatre stage. In addition, the recently opened Wonderland amusement city will also be accessible, designed specifically for the New Year period. The various amusement park elements, games, and programs guarantee that children will return home with memorable experiences.

Careful logistics and safety prepared for large crowds

Due to the expected massive crowd, organizers have placed a strong emphasis on logistics and safety. The number of entrances and exits has been increased, pedestrian routes have been widened, and special teams will be deployed on-site to ensure smooth movement. In addition, health and safety services have been enhanced. Such preparations reflect the high organizational standards of the Sheikh Zayed Festival, which sets an example each year for organizing events in the region.

The festival's message: tradition and technology hand in hand

The philosophy of the Sheikh Zayed Festival has always been to blend the UAE's rich cultural heritage with forward-looking technological and entertainment solutions. The 2025/2026 New Year celebration embodies this balance: from traditional performances to the world's first drone show and digitally synchronized fireworks, everything serves to provide a unique experience for visitors.

The spectacular program will not only attract locals, but thousands of tourists are also expected to visit Al Wathba to experience firsthand what it is like when a country celebrates the New Year in such form. All of this demonstrates that the UAE has become one of the region's centers not only in economic terms but also culturally and entertainment-wise.

Summary

The New Year celebration held in Al Wathba promises to be exceptional in every respect: characterized by technological innovations, traditional values, family-friendly entertainment, and professional organization. The 62-minute fireworks display and the world's largest drone show may not only break records but also set a new standard in the world of New Year's events.

For those who want to end the year in a truly special way, the Al Wathba celebration could be a fitting choice—an evening where the past, present, and future simultaneously appear in the sky in a mesmerizing dance of lights and shapes.

(The article is based on the organization of the Zayed Festival.)