Fireworks, drone shows and glamorous dinner parties abound at the urban island getaway, home to Dubai’s top attractions
Looking for the ultimate New Year’s Eve plans? Look no further than Bluewaters, a leading waterfront island destination, where one-of-a-kind entertainment, special dinner experiences, world-class attractions and light shows will ring in 2022.
It’s not New Year’s Eve without a spectacular fireworks display signalling the stroke of midnight. Countdown to bright skies taking a stroll through the island’s open avenues, where live music and paparazzi-themed roaming entertainers dial up the energy. The Middle East’s longest running Drone Light Show will illustrate the UAE’s journey at 8pm and 10:30pm with 500 high-tech drones.
There’s no better excuse to explore the island’s array of experiences that offer something for everyone. Snap selfies with your favourite celebrities at the world-famous wax museum Madame Tussauds and be among the first to test out high-octane family fun at the brand-new entertainment complex, Tr88house. Ain Dubai, the world’s largest observation deck, can take you 250m into the sky for spectacular views of the city and pyrotechnics with new year’s packages starting from AED1,500 per person.
Many of the island’s original culinary concepts are whipping together exclusive menus for the occasion – see the round-up below and make a reservation before tables run out. You can even simply choose to wander freely, exploring the many pop-ups, cafes and shops, soaking in quintessential winter weather with your loved ones.
Whether you book a table at one of Bluewaters’ restaurants or simply want to countdown to midnight fireworks, we recommend taking public transport for a smooth, traffic-free experience.
For convenient and direct access to the island, enjoy complimentary back-to-back shuttle buses running from 2pm-2am at Jebel Ali Metro, or you can book an RTA taxi, Careem or Uber. Alternatively, you can take a scenic walk via the pedestrian bridge connecting Bluewaters to JBR, where a whole host of New Year’s activities will bring you the best of both waterfront locations.
Parking on the day will be limited to Bluewaters residents, attraction ticket holders, restaurant guests with confirmed reservations and Caesars Palace Dubai hotel guests.
The island is home to many of the city’s most original food haunts as well as some of New Year’s most exciting parties. Check out a round-up of Bluewaters’ most unmissable invites:
Be transported to the Amalfi Coast over a chic dinner affair at Alici. Whether you sit indoors, behind floor-to-ceiling windows, or snag prime real estate along the water, you can enjoy striking views of Ain Dubai, the island’s fireworks and the ocean stretching out before you. Sample a seafood-inspired dinner while four-piece band, Boys4Road, serenade you with acoustic hits.
Contact: Alici
Roll into the new year with four hours of unlimited entertainment, drinks and arcade games at Brass Monkey. The adult playground, home to 12 bowling lanes, VR racing car simulators and plenty of fun, is hosting action-packed festivities across its two-story complex from 9pm to 1am. Packages start from AED599.
Contact: Brass Monkey
Get a taste for the Parisian art of living over scrumptious food and elegant interiors at Un Dimanche à Paris. The restaurant will serve a mouthwatering three-course menu featuring signature French dishes like rich, truffle-infused mushroom soup, steak flambé with fries, and melodies by a violinist and singer.
Contact: Un Dimanche à Paris
Camden’s street foods, Mayfair’s polished flair and the contemporary flavours of Shoreditch combine at London Project, home to one of New Year’s most mouth-watering parties starting from AED1,250. Prepare for an up-market dinner with potted crab and caviar at your arrival, oysters, foie gras, Chilean seabass and a special selection of desserts to start 2022 on a sweet note. The London Project is also partnering up with Nuovo CiFris Token for ‘The World’s First NYE Restaurant NFT’, which you can purchase online.
Contact: London Project
Celebrate the end of 2021 over exquisite Mexican flavours and fantastic views at Puerto 99. It’s one of the most stylish dining spots on Bluewaters, serving up sharing appetizers – including taco tastings and ceviche samplers – and a variety of sumptuous surf-and-turf and vegetarian mains to satisfy all tastes. Book a table with packages starting for adults from AED1,264 per person and AED600 for children up to 11 years old.
Contact: Puerto 99
Known for its inspired Lebanese cuisine and Brazilian service known as Rodizio, Tete is one of Bluewaters’ premier restaurants for New Year’s Eve. Enjoy a curation of their most delicious dishes and up-tempo live music to ring in 2022 at a vivacious party for the books. Packages start from AED899 per person.
Contact: Tete
Handcrafted burgers and a casual cocktail lounge meet in the middle at Ketchup. Their resident DJ is turning up the volume on December 31, dishing fast-paced tunes to pair well with the restaurant’s classic American cuisine. Book a table for fresh beats, delicious eats and more.
Contact: Ketch Up