Abu Dhabi to ring in New Year with world’s largest drone performance and 62-min fireworks show
Five Guinness World Records targeted during multi-stage midnight fireworks spectacle
ABU DHABI is preparing to welcome New Year 2026 with one of the most ambitious celebrations ever staged in the UAE, as the Sheikh Zayed Festival at Al Wathba readies a 62-minute fireworks display and the world’s largest drone performance.
Organised by the festival’s Higher Committee, the event is positioned as one of the biggest New Year’s Eve gatherings in the region.
Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the celebrations, which combine large-scale entertainment with cultural and heritage programming from across the globe.
Record-breaking fireworks
The centrepiece of the night will be a landmark fireworks display designed to break five new Guinness World Records. The fireworks will be presented in five carefully choreographed stages across New Year’s Eve, starting at 8pm and building towards the midnight moment. The main display will culminate in a continuous 62-minute sequence, using advanced synchronisation and launch technologies to illuminate the Al Wathba skyline on an unprecedented scale.
.@zayedfestival will host one of the region’s largest New Year’s Eve celebrations in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi featuring a 62-minute fireworks show, the world’s largest drone performance, and a diverse lineup of cultural and heritage events. pic.twitter.com/s3cyquXrYj
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) December 30, 2025
Organisers confirmed the fireworks programme has been engineered to meet strict international standards required for Guinness World Records consideration, with precision timing and large-scale deployment forming the backbone of the attempt.
World’s largest drone show
Running alongside the fireworks will be the world’s largest drone performance, featuring 6,500 drones in a single 20-minute sortie. The drones will create nine giant aerial formations, all debuting globally, and will be synchronised with a digital countdown to New Year 2026.
The performance will be fully integrated with the fireworks display, combining pyrotechnics and drone technology into a single immersive visual experience.
Sheikh Zayed Festival
Beyond the headline performances, the Sheikh Zayed Festival will showcase a wide range of cultural and heritage activities. Traditional Emirati performances such as Al Ayala, Al Razfa and Al Nadooba will be staged alongside international performance groups. Carnival-style parades, musical shows and cultural demonstrations will run throughout the evening, while families can enjoy children’s programming at the Kids’ Theatre and attractions at the newly opened Wonderland entertainment city.
Visitor planning
Operational preparations have been expanded to manage large visitor numbers. Measures include additional entry and exit gates, wider pedestrian routes, enhanced safety and medical services and the deployment of specialised field teams to regulate crowd movement.
Entry will close once venue capacity is reached, with the public advised to follow official channels and secure tickets early.