Dubai ready for spectacular New Year bash; soaring airfares and hotel rates

Dubai has cemented its reputation as a premier New Year’s Eve destination, with 2026 celebrations featuring fireworks at 40 locations, including the flagship Burj Khalifa countdown billed as the “Brightest Show on Earth.” Airfares from Hyderabad to Dubai surged to over 1000 Dirhams, while hotel rooms skyrocketed to 1200-1400 Dirhams amid heavy demand from Indian visitors.

By Gulf Correspondent

Dubai: When it comes to celebrations and New Year countdowns, Dubai continues to cement its status as one of the world’s most coveted New Year’s Eve destinations.

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Dubai is gearing up for one of its most ambitious New Year celebrations as the city prepares to welcome 2026 with a packed calendar of festive activities, retail attractions and spectacular displays.

A significant number of visitors from India including Telangana arrived in the emirate to celebrate the new year away from home. The airfares from Hyderabad to Dubai surged as the emirate continued to attract visitors for the world’s most coveted New Year celebration.

The one-way ticket from Hyderabad to Dubai ranged between 500-600 Dirhams, and has now jumped to 1,000-1,100 Dirhams, according to tour operators.

The hotel room prices also skyrocketed as all hotels witnessed heavy footfall with visitors flocking to the city. The typical average hotel room earlier cost 300-400 dirhams, but has now surged to 1,200-1,400 Dirhams, yet it is seldom possible to find any room.

The spectacular fireworks where night is filled with synchronised light and laser shows across Downtown are the centre of attraction for the new year event.

The flagship countdown at the Burj Khalifa, promoted as the “Brightest Show on Earth,” will combine high-intensity fireworks with laser choreography and synchronized fountain performances.

Experiencing captivating performances with larger-than-life moments across Dubai has thrilled visitors.

The weeklong New Year’s Eve festivities run for a week up to January 7 at Burj Park, where frontstage, operated by Bollywood Badshah Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment, will host a Bollywood-themed night filled with parades and festival-style entertainment. The entry fee is 997 Dirhams for adults and 577 for children.

Also, fireworks will take place at 40 locations across the emirate, with 48 separate displays lighting up the skyline.

Major venues include Burj Khalifa, Global Village, Atlantis The Royal, Expo City Dubai, Dubai Frame and several other destinations.

The popular Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), which lasts till January 11, transforms the emirate into a winter retail and entertainment hub with major discounts, live performances, daily fireworks and innovative drone shows.