The countdown to New Year's Eve is on and there are plenty of spots to catch fireworks shows when the clock hits midnight in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Many of the most popular places have revealed their plans to ring in the new year, with others expected to follow suit in the weeks to come.
Meanwhile, those looking for budget-friendly year-end parties can find more information in The National's guides for Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Dubai
Burj Khalifa
The fireworks show at Burj Khalifa this year is set to be its biggest with 325 firing positions. They will shoot in 2,800 directions using 15,682 pyrotechnic elements. They will transform the sky into an intricate pattern of colours and shapes.
A special show for the Dubai Fountain has also been planned. Developer Emaar announced the first ticketed year-end party at Burj Park, priced at Dh150 for children between four and 12, and Dh300 for adults.
Additionally, numerous restaurants in the vicinity, including those at the promenade of The Dubai Mall, which has front-row seats to the fireworks and fountain shows, have New Year's Eve packages ranging from Dh1,500 per person at Wagamama to Dh7,000 at Maison de Curry.
Atlantis, The Palm
The Palm Jumeirah resort is known for its extravagant year-end parties. The fireworks display, too, is usually accompanied by a big-ticket name, and this year it is 17-time Grammy-winning artist Sting.
Guests can choose from several packages, from Dh7,000 for a Premium Circle spot to Dh12,500 for the Golden Circle, which includes a personalised caviar box and dishes with white truffle. The various restaurants within the hotel also have New Year's Eve offerings. At Ossiano, for example, prices start at Dh2,950 per person, while diners to Hakkasan will pay Dh1,950 each.
Bluewaters Island
Bluewaters is counting down to 2024 with restaurant deals galore, topped with a three-minute fireworks show as soon the clock strikes midnight. Diners can book tables at eateries including Virgin Izakaya (from Dh500), Miya (from Dh750) and Shi (from Dh1,500) among others. Most of the venues have different seating options and some offer more clear views of the fireworks than others.
If you miss the show on December 31, the island will also host daily fireworks from January 5 to 14, with a longer 10-minute display on January 13.
Al Seef
The charming and rustic Creek-side development is hosting daily fireworks shows from Christmas Day until January 4, at 9pm each evening.
Numerous dining options are also on site, as well as the picturesque sight of neon-lit abras sailing across the waters.
Dubai Parks and Resorts
Head to the Dubai Parks complex to catch an early fireworks display, ideal for families and those who want to hit bed early on New Year's Eve.
The laser and fireworks show is taking place at Riverland at 7pm and 9pm. Guests need to pay Dh15 to enter the venue, but those with annual passes or tickets to the other theme parks can enter for free.
Abu Dhabi
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
The Abu Dhabi hotel has a packed entertainment schedule for New Year's Eve, topped with its annual fireworks show. Starting at 10pm, the year-end party will include a live band as well as DJ sets and other performances.
The eight restaurants within the hotel are joining in the fun, too. Guests can pay Dh4,500 per person to enjoy dinner and drinks from any one of them, plus access to the hotel's after-party. A beverage-only package costs Dh2,500.
Yas Island
There will be two fireworks shows on Yas Island, one at midnight and an earlier one 9pm, which is perfect for families with younger children.
Yas Marina and Yas Bay are both good spots to witness the spectacle, with a handful of restaurant options along the promenade.
Sheikh Zayed Festival
The festival at Al Wathba is hosting a 40-minute-long fireworks display to ring in the new year, attempting to break a Guinness World Record in terms of size, type and formation.
This will be complemented by cultural performances on the ground, as well as other family-friendly activities that start at 4pm.
Al Maryah Island
The island's promenade is the perfect viewing spot for its annual 10-minute fireworks display, but there are also plenty of restaurants across The Galleria, Four Seasons and Rosewood hotels to book to enjoy the evening with a meal.
Hudayriyat Island
Marsana beachfront will be open until the wee hours of January 1, making it an ideal spot to ring in 2024, complete with a fireworks display organised by Hudayriyat Island.
The show aside, check out food spots including Drvn, Babu Town and Shrimp Pot, as well as the family-friendly activities lined up from midnight to 5am.
From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases
A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.
One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.
In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.
The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.
And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz S 450
Price, base / as tested Dh525,000 / Dh559,000
Engine: 3.0L V6 biturbo
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 369hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm at 1,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.0L / 100km
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
Your rights as an employee
The government has taken an increasingly tough line against companies that fail to pay employees on time. Three years ago, the Cabinet passed a decree allowing the government to halt the granting of work permits to companies with wage backlogs.
The new measures passed by the Cabinet in 2016 were an update to the Wage Protection System, which is in place to track whether a company pays its employees on time or not.
If wages are 10 days late, the new measures kick in and the company is alerted it is in breach of labour rules. If wages remain unpaid for a total of 16 days, the authorities can cancel work permits, effectively shutting off operations. Fines of up to Dh5,000 per unpaid employee follow after 60 days.
Despite those measures, late payments remain an issue, particularly in the construction sector. Smaller contractors, such as electrical, plumbing and fit-out businesses, often blame the bigger companies that hire them for wages being late.
The authorities have urged employees to report their companies at the labour ministry or Tawafuq service centres — there are 15 in Abu Dhabi.
Five expert hiking tips
- Always check the weather forecast before setting off
- Make sure you have plenty of water
- Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
- Take your litter home with you
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Fixtures
Wednesday
4.15pm: Japan v Spain (Group A)
5.30pm: UAE v Italy (Group A)
6.45pm: Russia v Mexico (Group B)
8pm: Iran v Egypt (Group B)
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Dhadak
Director: Shashank Khaitan
Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana
Stars: 3
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet