ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)

Sheikh Zayed Festival concluded its New Year’s Eve celebrations with an unprecedented level of success, reaffirming its position as one of the world’s leading global celebratory events.

The historic night witnessed the breaking of five world records, an exceptional public turnout, and extensive international media coverage.

More than 163,000 visitors attended the festival from the early hours of December 31, 2025 to welcome 2026, while over half a million people watched the fireworks from surrounding public areas.

The New Year’s Eve events received remarkable global media attention, with over 600 international television networks and news agencies broadcasting the celebrations live.

Coverage included major global outlets such as Reuters and CNN, which established a live broadcast studio inside Sheikh Zayed Festival to deliver real-time coverage of the festivities and record-breaking achievements to audiences worldwide.

Sheikh Zayed Festival recorded a new global achievement by breaking five world records and entering the Guinness World Records, through the execution of the world’s largest fireworks display, which lasted 62 continuous minutes.

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This unprecedented achievement reflects the highest standards of planning and execution in organising major international events.

Other fireworks records

The record-breaking display included the largest number of waterfall fireworks launched within 30 seconds, the largest number of whistle-sound fireworks within 30 seconds, the largest number of thunder fireworks within 30 seconds, and the largest number of ring-shaped fireworks within 30 seconds.

New Year’s Eve also featured the largest drone show in the world, with 6,500 drones flying simultaneously for 20 minutes, forming nine massive aerial formations unveiled for the first time in history.

The display coincided with the New Year countdown, captivating audiences and reinforcing the festival’s technological leadership on the global stage.

Reflecting the festival’s commitment to sustainability, 500,000 eco-friendly balloons were released during the celebration.

Each balloon contained seeds of local trees and plants, transforming a moment of celebration into a meaningful environmental message that highlights responsibility toward future generations.

The festival grounds also featured authentic Emirati heritage performances, including Al-Ayyala, Al-Razfa, and Al-Nadba, alongside international folk shows and participating country pavilions.

This cultural diversity enriched the visitors' experience and embodied the spirit of global cultural exchange that defines Sheikh Zayed Festival.

Families and children enjoyed a wide range of entertainment and educational activities, including the amusement park, children’s theatre, and interactive performances, offering a comprehensive New Year’s Eve experience for all age groups.

The success reflects Sheikh Zayed Festival’s continued commitment to delivering a world-class celebratory experience that blends authentic Emirati heritage with cutting-edge global innovation.

The festival further cements Abu Dhabi’s position as a premier global destination for major international celebrations, in a night that will remain etched in the memories of visitors and viewers around the world.