New Year’s Eve 2026 traffic plan for Celebrations around Burj Khalifa Area
Dubai to close major roads for New Year’s Eve
Dubai, January 13, 2026: Dubai announces major New Year’s Eve road closures and Traffic arrangements – here’s what you need to know.
Initial closures begin from 4:00pm around the Downtown and Burj Khalifa area · Additional roads are closed in stages as the evening progresses.
Traffic plan for New Year’s Eve in Dubai
Dubai announces New Year’s Eve road closures, Metro timings and free parking. Dubai Metro: The Red and Green Lines will operate continuously for 43 hours, covering all 53 stations, from 5am on Tuesday, 31 December until 12am on 1 January 2026. Watch the below video for complete traffic plan details ahead of New Year Eve Celeberation in Dubai.
Traffic Management Plan for New Year’s Eve 2026 Celebrations in and around the Burj Khalifa district.#MyDubaiNewYear pic.twitter.com/n7LbyGQbVX
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) December 26, 2025
Road Closure in Dubai
| Road Name | Closure Time | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard | From 4 PM | Closed once parking in the area reaches capacity. Visitors with reservations must arrive before 4 PM. |
| Burj Khalifa Street | From 4 PM | No additional notes. |
| Al Asayel Street | From 4 PM | No additional notes. |
| Lower Financial Centre Road | From 4 PM | Upper deck of Financial Street closes at 9 PM. |
| Al Mustaqbal Street | From 4 PM | No additional notes. |
| Al Sukook Street | From 8 PM | No additional notes. |
| Sheikh Zayed Road | Gradual closure from 11 PM | Closed in both directions between Dubai World Trade Centre Roundabout and Al Safa/Al Meydan Road. |
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Medical Preparedness | – 200+ ambulances and 1,800 medical staff on standby. |
| – 10 hospitals ready for urgent care. | |
| Parking Facilities | – 20,000 additional parking spaces at Dubai Mall, Zabeel, and Emaar Boulevard. |
| – Alternative parking: Al Wasl Club (500 spaces) and Al Jaffiliya (400 spaces). | |
| – Shuttle buses start from 3 PM. | |
| Viewing Areas | – Dedicated areas for workers with screens and meal services. |
| – Special zones for families and bachelors. | |
| Road Closures | – Major closures start at 4 PM, including: |
| – Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard. | |
| – Burj Khalifa Street, Al Mustaqbal St, Al Asayel Rd, and Al Sukuk St. | |
| – Partial Sheikh Zayed Road closure from 11 PM. | |
| Alternative Routes | – Suggested alternatives: Jumeirah Street, Al Wasl Street, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Rd, and Al Khail Rd. |
| Public Transport | – Dubai Metro: Operating 43+ hours continuously from 5 AM, Dec 31, to Jan 1. |
| – Dubai Tram: Operating from 6 AM, Dec 31, to 1 AM, Jan 2. | |
| – Dubai Mall Metro Station closes at 5 PM on Dec 31. | |
| Marine Transport | – Departure points: Marina Mall, Al Ghubaiba, Bluewaters, Al Fahidi, and Al Jaddaf. |
| – Advance booking advised via marinebooking@rta.ae. | |
| Fireworks Locations | – 36 locations hosting fireworks displays, including: |
| – Burj Park (Downtown Dubai with Burj Khalifa display). | |
| – Global Village (seven-countdown celebrations from 8 PM to 1 AM). | |
| – Dubai Festival City Mall (fireworks with Mahmoud El Esseily’s performance). |
Road Closure by 4 PM
The first phase of the traffic plan begins at 4pm on Wednesday, December 31:
- Al Asayel Street
- Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard
- Burj Khalifa Street
- Lower Financial Centre Street
- Al Mustaqbal Street (between Financial Centre intersection and Commercial Centre Street)
Al Sukook Street Closure
As the night progresses, additional roads will close:
- 8pm: Al Sukook Street
- 9pm: Upper Financial Centre Street
- 11pm: Sheikh Zayed Road (between Al Maidaan intersection and Commercial Centre roundabout)
New Year’s Eve Road closure plan for JBR
New Year’s Eve road closure plan for JBROnly official taxis will be permitted on King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street throughout the celebrations. The restrictions will tighten further between 11pm and 1am, when e-hail services and limousines will also be barred from the main JBR thoroughfare.
- Check out the JBR road closure map for New Year’s Eve 2026. #RTA advises you to plan your trips well and use #PublicTransport to reach your destinations with comfort and ease.
- The Roads and Transport Authority has revealed that the Jumeirah Beach Residences area of the city will be closed to traffic and designated exclusively for pedestrians from 4pm on Wednesday December 31.
- Restricted access applies to traffic from Al Marsa Street, Al Naseem Street and near the Cayan Tower.
- Only taxis will be allowed on King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street throughout the celebrations.
- The RTA has also revealed that e-hail cabs, such as Careem and Uber, plus limousines, will not be allowed to access King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street between 11pm and 1am.
Medical Preparedness
Over 200 ambulances and 1,800 medical staff will be on standby. Supported by 10 hospitals for urgent care.
Parking Facilities
Around 20,000 additional parking spaces provided at key locations like Dubai Mall, Zabeel, and Emaar Boulevard. Alternative parking at Al Wasl Club (500 spaces) and Al Jaffiliya (400 spaces), with shuttle buses running from 3 PM.
Alternative parking locations:
- Jebel Ali
- Etisalat by e&
- Centrepoint
- Jumeirah Golf Estates
- Al Wasl Club
- Al Kifaf
- General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA)
Access and Viewing Areas
Dedicated viewing areas for workers with large screens and meal services.
Special zones for families and bachelors.
Road Closures and Alternative Routes
Major road closures starting from 4 PM on December 31, affecting routes like Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard and Burj Khalifa Street.
Alternative routes include Jumeirah Street, Al Wasl Street, and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road.
Dubai New Year’s Eve metro timings
Metro timings during the 2026 NYE celebrations: The Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai has announced that the Dubai Metro will be running for 43 consecutive hours next week, from 5am on Wednesday December 31 to midnight of Thursday January 1. Meanwhile, Dubai Tram services will operate from 6 am on Wednesday 31 December 2025 until 1 am on Friday 2 January 2026.
Dubai Metro (Red and Green Lines) Stations on the Red and Green Lines
| Date | Time Window | Coverage Period |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, 31 December 2025 | 05:00 AM – 11:59 PM | Full-day operations |
| Thursday, 1 January 2026 | 12:00 Midnight – 11:59 PM | Full-day operations |
Dubai Tram NYE Timings
| Date | Time Window | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, 31 December 2025 | 06:00 AM – 11:59 PM | Pre-event and peak-event operations |
| Thursday, 1 January 2026 | 12:00 Midnight – 01:00 AM (following day) | Post-midnight transition & dispersal phase |
Dubai taxis
At the end of the event, RTA buses will transport attendees to three designated taxi parking areas:
- Al Wasl Club
- Al Kifaf
- General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA)
Marine Transportation
Cruise departure points include Marina Mall, Al Ghubaiba, and more. Advance booking recommended for marine transport.
To view the operating hours of marine transport services during the New Year holiday on 1st January 2026;
Abra TIme Services – Routes & Stations
| Code | Route / Station Name |
|---|---|
| CR1 | Bur Dubai Marine Station – Deira Old Souq Marine Station (On Demand) |
| CR2 | Dubai Old Souq Marine Station – Al Sabkha Marine Station (On Demand) |
| CR3 | Dubai Old Souq Marine Station – Baniyas Marine Station |
| CR4 | Al Sabkha Marine Station – Al Fahidi Marine Station |
| CR5 | Al Fahidi Marine Station – Deira Old Souq Marine Station |
| CR6 | Al Seef Marine Station – Baniyas Marine Station |
| CR7 | Al Seef Marine Station – Al Fahidi Marine Station – Dubai Old Souq Marine Station |
| CR9 | Dubai Festival City Marine Station – Dubai Creek Harbour Marine Station |
| CR11 | Al Jaddaf Marine Station – Dubai Creek Harbour Marine Station |
| BM2 | Al Jaddaf Marine Station – Dubai Festival City Marine Station |
| DC2 | Al Wajeha – Al Marasi – Business Bay – Godolphin – Sheikh Zayed Road Marine Stations |
| TR6 | Dubai Water Canal Roundtrips (Sheikh Zayed Road Marine Station) |
| TR8 | Marina Mall 1 Marine Station Roundtrip (On Demand) |
| TR10 | Al Seef – Baniyas – Al Fahidi Marine Stations Roundtrip (On Demand) |
Key Destinations Served: Dubai Mall · Burj Plaza · The Palace · Global Village
Water Taxi Services – Routes & Stations
| Code | Route / Station Name |
|---|---|
| BM1 | Marina Mall 1 Marine Station – Marina Walk Marine Station |
| BM1 (Full Route) | Marina Promenade – Marina Mall 1 – Marina Walk – Marina Terrace Marine Stations |
| BM3 | Dubai Marina Mall Marine Station – Bluewaters Marine Station |
Dubai Ferry Services – Routes & Stations
| Code | Route / Station Name |
|---|---|
| FR1 | Dubai Water Canal Marine Station – Al Ghubaiba Marine Station |
| FR2 | Dubai Marina Mall Marine Station – Bluewaters Marine Station |
| FR4 | Dubai Marina Mall Station – Palm Jumeira – Atlantis The Palm (Round Trip) |
| FR5 | Sharjah Aquarium Marine Station – Al Ghubaiba Marine Station |
Public Parking
Public parking will be free of charge on 1st January 2026, except for multi-storey parking facilities and Al Khail Gate N-365. Parking fees will be reinstated on Friday, 2nd January 2026.
Dubai Bus
| Bus Route | Operational Status | Key Details | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| E100 | Suspended (Partial & Full) | • No services from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station from afternoon of 31 December• Last trip 12:00 noon from Abu Dhabi• Last trip 14:00 from Al Ghubaiba | Suspended until 4 January 2026 |
| E101 | Operating (Alternative Route) | • Services available from Ibn Battuta Bus Station to Abu Dhabi• Recommended alternative during E100 suspension | 31 Dec 2025 – 4 Jan 2026 |
| E102 | Operating (Modified Start Time) | • Services from Ibn Battuta Bus Station• Operating from 14:00 onwards on 31 December | 31 December 2025 |
In total, 9,884 Dubai Police officers will be on duty, supported by 1,625 security patrols, 36 bicycle patrols, 53 security and marine rescue boats, and 34 mounted patrols. Civil Defence will deploy 1,754 personnel with 165 vehicles, while Dubai Municipality contributes 2,675 staff, supported by 800 DEWA personnel. Medical readiness is extensive, with 12 hospitals and field clinics, 1,900 medical staff, 236 ambulances, and 635 ambulance personnel prepared for emergencies.
Venue Location Map
Dubai Travel FAQs
Why is Dubai one of the world’s top travel destinations?
Dubai combines traditional Arabian culture with world-class modern infrastructure, offering iconic landmarks, luxury shopping, beaches, desert experiences, and global events year-round.
Is Dubai safe for tourists and families?
Yes, Dubai is one of the safest cities globally, supported by strong law enforcement, modern governance, and a secure public environment.
What is the best time to visit Dubai?
The ideal time to visit Dubai is between November and March, when the weather is pleasant and outdoor attractions and festivals are in full swing.
Do tourists need a visa to visit Dubai?
Visa requirements depend on nationality. Many visitors qualify for visa-on-arrival, while others must apply online in advance.
What are the must-see attractions in Dubai?
Highlights include the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Palm Jumeirah, desert safaris, beaches, traditional souks, and world-famous New Year’s Eve celebrations.
