Since its official inauguration in 2010, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa has never failed to ring in the New Year with a bang.
From world record-setting fireworks and lightshows, all planned perfectly to synchronize with other fireworks displays around Downtown Dubai; the Burj Khalifa area is a go-to place for locals and tourists to celebrate the New Year.
This year is slightly different, with social distancing measures in place the crowds will not be present (although, you can still book a restaurant with amazing views over the Burj Khalifa via this list here).
And so, with New Year’s Eve is only a few weeks away we thought it high time to give the previous 11 fireworks displays (as well as a bonus 12) another look, and rank them from ‘truly spectacular’ to just ‘kinda spectacular’.
You can check them out below:
Burj Khalifa New Year’s Fireworks – 2019
Who can forget last year’s New Year’s Eve celebration that matched blinding lights with fireworks that lit-up all of Dubai’s Downtown area. It also set a Guinness World Record for the largest LED-illuminated façade (which the city of Dubai continues to use for celebrations to this day).
And it is for that reason it is our number one pick.
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Burj Khalifa New Year’s Fireworks – 2014
2014 saw Dubai authorities close down Metro stations around the Downtown Area, to allow for millions of visitors to enjoy the fireworks.
The 2014 show was a true spectacle of artistic creativity, with a slow build up courtesy of the Dubai Fountains leading to an incredible finale that saw other buildings in the area – such as The Address Hotel – take part with a final fireworks salvo.
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Burj Khalifa New Year’s Fireworks – 2012
Third time really is the charm, as the 2012 New Year’s Eve show had a real strength and maturity about it.
From the beginning sparks at the very tip of the Burj Khalifa, to the thunderous follow-through that saw fireworks shoot out from every floor of the world’s tallest building; it was the 2012 show that made Dubai a permanent fixture of New Year’s fireworks broadcasts worldwide.
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Burj Khalifa New Year’s Fireworks – 2018
This year saw the Burj Khalifa embrace the lightshow, dropping antiquated traditional fireworks for another Guinness World Record – largest high-tech lighting and laser show. It succeeded, in flying colours.
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Burj Khalifa New Year’s Fireworks – 2016
Just a good, solid fireworks show to ring in the New Year. It will most be remembered for its countdown, which saw the LEDs on the world’s tallest tower turn bright white until the show begins.
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Burj Khalifa New Year’s Fireworks – 2020
Last year featured a slow buildup, with the LED lights on the side of the Burj Khalifa pulsating along with classic Arab music right up until the final countdown.
There was also a nod to the partnership the UAE has with The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with both flags seen ‘wrapping’ around the Burj Khalifa mid-way through the event.
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Burj Khalifa New Year’s Fireworks – 2013
2013 should go down in history for what appears to be the most fireworks ever set off in a four-minute period. Halfway through the show, certain cameras lost sight of the world’s tallest building through the smoke. Not to worry, as there were even more fireworks attached to other buildings dotted around Downtown Dubai.
This also marked the first time the fireworks display was set to music, that was composed exclusively for Emaar by Philip Sheppard.
Burj Khalifa New Year’s Fireworks – 2017
Will be remembered for a solid start, that sees fireworks go off from the base of the Burj Khalifa and then shoot up floor-by-floor to an explosive finale.
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Burj Khalifa New Year’s Fireworks – 2011
This year saw the longest Burj Khalifa New Year’s Eve fireworks display of the lot. No one expected a full ten minutes of fireworks, and the show had a few “wait, is it over?” moments to keep things interesting.
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Burj Khalifa New Year’s Fireworks – 2015
Featuring one of the finest firework finale’s we have ever seen (skip to the nine minute mark to see it) the 2015 put on a spectacular show for the crowds of people watching live and broadcast at home.
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Burj Khalifa New Year’s Fireworks – 2011
Dare we say it, but the Dubai Fountain just might have stole the show in 2011. What started with puslating fire shooting out from the water moved on to a bright green laser show that really uped the ante on the performance.
Bonus: Burj Khalifa’s inauguration – 2010
We couldn’t talk about Burj Khalifa fireworks without a look back at the day history was made, the official inauguration of the world’s tallest building back in 2010.
The show featured world leaders, celebrities, influencers and began with a skydrive from the Burj Khalifa. What followed was an on-building fireworks display that no one had ever seen before.
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