Events and parties in the UAE on New Year's Eve


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Welcome in the new decade in the chic gardens of the capital's coolest hotel at the Fairmont's poolside party. Entry is Dh150 and includes sharing platters, small bites and live DJs. Frankie's restaurant is serving a four-course Italian-themed set menu for Dh444 or Dh688, including one bottle of Moët & Chandon per couple. At Marco Pierre White's Steakhouse And Grill, the set menu is Dh888 or Dh1,599, with a bottle of Dom Perignon per couple. Chameleon and Elements are hosting celebrations for Dh250, and Dh355 and Dh555* respectively. A New Year's brunch is being served at Elements for Dh249/Dh449* with gold and silver packages available for two nights' accommodation and buffet at Elements for two at 3,599/Dh4,099* and 3,099/Dh3,499* (*denotes unlimited Moët & Chandon) 02 654 3333 Fairmont Bab Al Bahr

Bord Eau will serve a Dh1,500 six-course set menu of its French cuisine with wine pairing, champagne reception and poolside fireworks. Pearls & Caviar has a six-course wine-paired menu, with champagne reception and oysters for Dh1,500pp. Shangri-La 02 509 8888

At Chamas, the churrascaria (barbecue) will kick off with a Brazilian parade. The cost is Dh495, including caiprinhas, and Dh795 with additional champagne after midnight. The bar will provide light snacks and selected drinks for Dh400, with DJ Steeve and the resident band supplying the beats. The Yacht Club can be enjoyed as a bar for Dh595 or as a mimimum six-diner sit-down restaurant at Dh795, including selected drinks. A terrace table can be booked for a minimum of six people for Dh595 per person, with tapas and selected drinks. Boccaccio is offering a five-course meal for Dh295, including bubbly at midnight. 02 666 6888 Intercontinental

Ossiano has an eight-course dinner at Dh2,100, including selected drinks, with a DJ and underwater views of the Ambassador Lagoon. Nobu will start with saketinis and canapés, followed by a nine-course menu for Dh2,100. Ronda Locatelli is serving a seven-course menu for Dh1,650. For some regional flavour, Levantine has a set menu for Dh1,650pp. Nasimi has a beach party for the same listed Levantine prices, including dinner, canapés and a live Cuban band. For clubbers, Steve Lawler and resident DJs play Sanctuary. Tickets cost Dh1,000. 04 426 0000 Atlantis

Desert New Year Party (Dh399) features a band, DJs, bar, buffet and children's entertainment. But since there's also a full moon on December 31, we like the sound of Dubai Drum's Full Moon Desert Party, a night of drumming, music and singing, with a barbecue dinner, bonfire, camel rides, sand boarding, fire dance show, African drum group and activities for children. Tickets are Dh425 and Dhs185 for children aged seven to 14. Six years and under are free. 04 885 2422, Dubai Drums

THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

Fines for littering

In Dubai:

Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro

Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle. 
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle

In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

The Brutalist

Director: Brady Corbet

Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn

Rating: 3.5/5

The biog

Favourite Emirati dish: Fish machboos

Favourite spice: Cumin

Family: mother, three sisters, three brothers and a two-year-old daughter

Jetour T1 specs

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Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now