Expats to watch fireworks from JBR, Downtown

Kymberlee Fernandes (Web Journalist) / 30 December 2014

• Everyone in Dubai seems pretty excited about bringing in the New Year with a sparkling marvel.

The scale of grandeur of a New Year celebration in Dubai is larger than life. With about a million visitors expected to see the Burj Khalifa fireworks in Downtown Dubai alone this year, the numbers that will head to the Palm Jumeirah is still to be estimated.

In 2014 Dubai set the world record for the largest fireworks display. A staggering 450,000 fireworks were launched in six minutes to make it to the Guinness Book of World Records. The grand show started with a unique pyrotechnic countdown around the Palm Jumeirah’s crescent.
This year, Burj Khalifa has taken its New Year celebrations a notch higher by providing a live feed of the magnificent fireworks online.

So where is everyone in Dubai heading to watch the splendid spectacular?

Karen Fernandez, Filipina, says: “I will most probably watch the fireworks display from somewhere in Jumeirah.'

Lovelyn Rodrigues, Indian,says: “I’m not sure I will go out and watch the fireworks this year. Last year I had to run from building to building to catch a glimpse of the world record.”


George Maina, Kenyan, says: “For sure I will watch the Burj Khalifa fireworks. But since there is news that much traffic is expected in Downtown, I will enjoy the display from Al Quoz.”


Danielle Dweik, Lebanese says: “I live in Downtown Dubai. So my best option would be to watch the Burj Khalifa light up, right from home.”


Frederick Mondol, Indian, says: “I haven’t made a plan yet. But most probably my friends and I will either be somewhere in JBR or at Barasti.”

For those planning to get out on the evening of December 31, Dubai will have 11,000 additional parking spaces, 130 round-the-clock free feeder buses deployed to carry passengers between from designated parking spaces to New Year events planned across the city.

Of the new parking spaces, 8,000 will be at Meydan, 500 at Al Jafiliya (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs), 1,000 at Zabeel Park and a parking yard in front of Al Wasl Sports Club.

Dubai Metro will run non-stop during New Year’s Eve. The Burj Khalifa — Dubai Mall Metro Station will be closed from 10pm on Wednesday December 31, till 6am on Thursday, January 1. Riders may use the Business Bay and the Dubai Financial Centre stations, where shuttle buses will take passengers (free of charge) to the nearest station.

Looks like everyone in Dubai is pretty excited about bringing in the New Year with a sparkling marvel.

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