The capital of the United Arab Emirates kicked off 2026 with an astonishing spectacle that set new benchmarks for New Year’s Eve celebrations. At the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi staged a 62-minute continuous fireworks display paired with a dazzling performance by more than 6,500 synchronised drones, captivating spectators and earning global attention as a world-record-breaking event.
The marathon fireworks show one of the longest ever presented lit up the night sky just before and after midnight, blending cutting-edge pyrotechnics with choreographed aerial artistry. The drone segment saw thousands of units forming intricate three-dimensional images and patterns that danced above the celebration grounds in harmony with music and fireworks bursts.
Organised as part of Abu Dhabi’s broader New Year festivities which spanned multiple emirates and aimed to set numerous Guinness World Records the record-setting display drew tens of thousands of spectators on site and millions more watching viral clips shared across social media platforms worldwide.
The event underscored the UAE’s growing reputation for staging jaw-dropping public celebrations that combine cultural heritage with high-tech innovation, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s place on the global stage as a leader in large-scale, unforgettable visual entertainment.
