Best places to spend New Year's Eve 2017 – Dubai

Attend the Royal Gala evening at the Atlantis the Palm Hotel

If you didn’t think Dubai could get any more swanky, the Royal Gala at the Atlantis the Palm Hotel will make you think again. Your New Year’s evening will start with canapés and welcome drinks, followed by a live band that plays until 3am. Did we mention that there’s free Champagne on offer, too? Dining-wise, a luxury buffet under the stars is on the agenda. Everything from lobster to fajitas are served up, and the live-cooking stations mean you can watch the chefs in action. You’ll get to soak up spectacular views of Dubai’s skyline, as well as the official fireworks display from the hotel. There are child-friendly buffets for little ones, too. And, under 12s can go to an exclusive ‘under-the-sea’ themed celebration, where they’ll get to join in with arts and crafts, and play on the bouncy castle while you sip Champagne.

Tuck into a five-course dinner during a traditional dhow boat cruise

If you want to swap land for water on New Year’s Eve, a dhow dinner cruise is a great option. You’ll hop onto a traditional Arabian dhow boat, which cruises along the Dubai creek and into the Persian Gulf for three hours. The boat has three decks, and one of them comes with a lively dancefloor – so you’ll never be too far away from the party. You’ll also get a delicious five-course dinner, followed by Emirati dance shows and henna painting. And the best part? You’ll have 360-degree vistas of Dubai’s firework-filled skyline.

Watch the fireworks display at the Burj Al Arab Hotel

The Burj Al Arab Hotel is one of the top places to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Here, you’ll get fire-themed performances throughout the evening, and a record-breaking fireworks display at midnight – it was voted the best in the world in 2014, rivalling the displays in London and Sydney. And, when that’s all wrapped up, there’s an after-party in the Al Falak Ballroom. It’s designed like an 18th-century Viennese Opera House, and the resident DJ will be spinning a mixture of chart-topping tunes, so you can hit the dancefloor until the early hours of the morning. You don’t have to be a guest at the hotel to attend, but you will have to book ahead of the event.

Go camping in the desert

If you fancy doing something completely different, make tracks for the sands and sign up for a desert safari party. You’ll get to stay overnight at a traditional Arab campsite – perfect for large groups of friends. When you arrive in the evening, you’ll be greeted with treats like Arabic coffee and dates. Then, it’s time for activities like henna painting, a tasty barbecue and belly dancing. And in the morning, you can continue your safari adventure with the likes of sandboarding, a camel ride, or zipping across the sand dunes in a 4x4.

Party at one of Dubai’s best nightclubs

360˚ is one of the most iconic party venues for residents and holidaymakers alike on New Year’s Eve. This glamorous club is renowned for its funky house music, and has been voted one of the top 100 clubs in the world for three years running. You’ll need to dress to impress here – it’s a VIP affair. And, if you’re a bit of a foodie, the Asian menu offers up chic, trendy cuisine to match the impressive views of Jumeirah Beach and the rest of Dubai’s skyline. There are bed-style loungers to chill out on, too.

Ready to kick off the New Year in Dubai?

Book your New Year’s Eve trip to Dubai here, and check out our seven record-breaking reasons to visit here.

Author: Olivia Hunt