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29 March 2024

Countdown to 2014: Dubai's top NYE parties to fit all budgets

Fireworks near Burj Al Arab light up the sky during New Year celebrations in Dubai January 1, 2010.  (REUTERS)

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The countdown to the biggest New Year’s Eve Dubai has seen in years has finally commenced.

With so many parties and gigs to pick from, we sift through the chaos to pick our top six to fit all budgets and eclectic tastes.

Free entry

Pin-Ups and Pilots Ball!

Mahiki Lounge, Jumeirah Beach Hotel

8pm until 4am

Everyone’s favourite Polynesian lounge is showing some love with free entry, transporting all of our tikilovers back in time to a bygone era with our Pin-Ups and Pilots Ball.

‘A Hotsy-Totsy Flirty 40s soiree set in Hawaii, featuring a cocktail reception, music, mayhem, good time gals and cheeky pin-up performers’ is what the party blurb promises.

The dress code for the night is victory rolls and red lipstick for the fairer sex, and slicked back hair and vintage uniforms for the lads.

No tickets are needed to attend this NYE bash; what you need to do is collect your free wristbands in advance, which gives you full access on the night.

For more information and table bookings call 04 380 7731

Under Dh250

Fabulous Desi New Year Party

Velvet Underground, Royal Ascot Hotel

10pm until 4am

Everyone’s favourite Velvet Underground is celebrating its fifth NYE bash featuring India’s Top DJ and Producer DJ Ribin Richard and Dubai’s very own DJ Blaze.

Entry for the night is Dh200 for couples or single guys. Table reservations are also available for Dh2,000 for five people and upwards. Call: 050 962 4222

Barasti New Year’s Eve Sugar Beach Party

Barasti, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi

From 7pm until 4am

It’s time for ‘Carnival Fanfare’ this famous beachside watering hole transforms into a festival playground for a New Years Eve spectacular.

From amusing ‘fairground’ style games and attractions, heaps of bizarre food and drink to sample, loads of entertainers to keep you tickled and on the beach and DJs Jazzy Jeff and Skillz on the decks.

What’s more, you will be able to see The Palm Jumeirah fireworks from this vantage point.

Tickets are priced at Dh210 in advance and Dh260 at the gate. Tables are also available. Call: 04 318 1313

Under Dh500

Sandance NYE

Nasimi Beach, Atlantis The Palm

From 5pm until 4am

For those of you eagerly awaiting the dazzling display of fireworks as Dubai attempts its world record, The Palm Jumeirah will be the place to be and what better way than at the party of the year – Sandance.

The line-up of the star-studded night includes the godfather of electronic dance music, Paul Oakenfold, Swedish House Mafia member Axwell, ace DJs Pete Tong and David Craig, UK’s best selling female artist for the past two years, Emeli Sande, plus ‘l Love It’ star Charli XCX.

Not only that, the skies over The Palm will light up at midnight with the world’s biggest firework display.

Tickets for the VIP section and tables have sold out, but limited regular tickets at Dh450 are still available (Dh530 at the door).

Do make note, the only way to head to Sandance this year is via the RTA buses that will depart from American University of Dubai from 5pm onwards. 

Vanilla Ice Live

N’Dulge, Atlantis The Palm

From 7pm until 4am

Alright stop, collaborate and listen, Ice is back with a brand new invention...

Indeed, Vanilla Ice is back and he will perform his hits ‘Ice Ice Baby’ and ‘Play That Funky Music’ on the night at N’Dulge.

During his meteoric rise to fame in the early 1990s, Vanilla Ice became the first white rapper to top the pop singles chart with his ‘Ice Ice Baby’.

After spending 16 weeks at the top of the album charts, ‘To the Extreme’ sold more than seven million copies.

In the arena, DJs David Craig and Dean Curtis will be spinning party anthems, while on the terrace, brothers Marko and Safe of Smokingroove will impress.

You can buy tickets in advance at the Atlantis Ballroom or N’Dulge or buy them at AUD on December 31 between 4pm-9pm. Remember, you will not be able to access The Palm without a ticket and an access card.

Tickets are priced at Dh300 and include a complimentary drink on arrival and access to all the rooms and rooftop terrace to watch the record breaking fireworks. Tables also available. Call: 055 147 6034

Glow Twenty 14

Godolphin Ballroom, Emirates Towers

Its Bollywood meeting Asian pop as Glow Twenty 14 ropes in starlet and Bigg Boss contestant Sana Khan, ‘Angel Eyes’ Raghav, Jaz Dhami of ‘High Heels’ and Gauhar Khan’s sister, Nigaar.

Also spinning the decks on the NYE night will be DJs Shadow, Zubair and Tushar.

The area will be split in two separate arenas, with a red carpet entrance to add that glam quotient on the night.

Tickets are priced at Dh500 for singles (unlimited beverages) and Dh900 for couples (unlimited drinks).

Under Dh1,000

Dubai Funnies

Al Wasl Ballroom, Dusit Thani

From 8pm onwards

They say that how you spend NYE is a sign of how your year will be, so why not kick it off with a barrel of laughs, great food and an exclusive view of the Burj Khalifa firework spectacular?

The evening’s festivities include an international dinner buffet, a stand-up comedy show and a DJ set to dance the night away.

Hosted by Omar Ismail, (Rotana Comedy Tour, Monday Night Funnies), the stand-up comedy features Omar Shams, the winner of the GCC Amateur Comedy Competition 2013.

Headliners for the night are Mina Liccione, the award-winning comedian whose been seen on MTV, BBC, ABC, Dubai One and Broadway, who will be accompanied by her husband, Ali Al Sayed who was coined “UAE’s King of Comedy” by Ahlan! magazne and named 'one of the most influential comedians in the world' by Toastmaster's International Magazine.

Tickets cost Dh550 (includes international buffet). Call: 050 440 0994