Ras Al Khaimah welcomes New Year 2026 with Guinness World Record drone phoenix
Six-kilometre fireworks display lights up the emirate’s coastline
DUBAI – Ras Al Khaimah ushered in 2026 with a 15-minute New Year’s Eve spectacle combining drones, pyrotechnics and fireworks, culminating in a new Guinness World Records title.
The emirate achieved the record for the largest aerial display of a phoenix formed by multirotor drones. The celebration unfolded along the waterfront, drawing thousands of residents and visitors to beachfront locations and organised festival areas.
The centrepiece of the night was a large-scale drone performance that transformed the sky into a sequence of animated formations. Carefully choreographed visuals unfolded above the coastline, building anticipation as the countdown to midnight approached.
New Guinness World Record
The highlight of the show was a colossal phoenix created using 2,300 drones, establishing a new Guinness World Records benchmark. Of these, 1,000 were pyro drones, used to illuminate the phoenix’s wings with flame-like effects.
The mythical bird, widely associated with renewal and rebirth, appeared to rise and soar across the night sky, dominating the visual narrative of the celebration.
The drone sequence also included a second major formation titled The Welcome. This display depicted a human figure emerging from the sea with open arms, symbolising Ras Al Khaimah’s emphasis on hospitality and openness to visitors from around the world.
How it unfolded
As midnight neared, the drone performance transitioned seamlessly into a precisely timed fireworks countdown. At the stroke of the New Year, a six-kilometre-long fireworks display was launched along the coastline, stretching from Marjan Island to Al Hamra. Hundreds of fireworks were fired in synchronised waves, creating a continuous ribbon of light, colour and sound across the shoreline.
The fireworks were choreographed to complement the earlier drone visuals, ensuring a fluid progression from aerial storytelling to large-scale pyrotechnics. The coordinated display lit up the emirate’s waterfront, marking the arrival of 2026 with sustained bursts rather than a single finale.
Thousands of spectators gathered across Ras Al Khaimah to witness the celebrations. Beachfront resorts, public viewing areas and the New Year’s Eve Festival hosted large crowds throughout the night, alongside live stage performances and entertainment programmes. Earlier in the evening, families also enjoyed a separate fireworks display at Corniche Al Qawasim, adding to the festive atmosphere across the emirate.
The New Year’s Eve event was designed as a shared community experience, bringing together residents and visitors while marking another milestone in Ras Al Khaimah’s evolving events calendar and tourism offering.