Ras Al Khaimah welcomed 2026 with a large-scale New Year’s Eve show combining drones and fireworks, setting a new Guinness World Records title during a 15-minute display along the emirate’s coastline.
Thousands of residents and visitors gathered across waterfront locations to watch the celebrations, which marked the start of the New Year with coordinated aerial visuals and fireworks.
Guinness World Record
The centrepiece of the event was a record-setting drone display featuring the largest aerial image of a phoenix formed by multirotor drones. A total of 2,300 drones were used, including 1,000 pyro drones that created flame-like effects along the phoenix’s wings as it moved across the night sky.
The phoenix symbolised renewal and rebirth and was presented as part of a wider animated drone sequence above the waterfront.
Drone formations
The drone performance also included a second formation titled The Welcome, which showed a human figure rising from the sea with open arms. The image was designed to reflect the emirate’s sense of hospitality and openness.
The aerial display unfolded in a series of animated scenes before transitioning into the midnight countdown.
Fireworks display
As the clock struck midnight, the drone show gave way to a synchronised fireworks display stretching six kilometres along the coastline, from Marjan Island to Al Hamra. Fireworks were launched in timed waves, lighting up the shoreline with coordinated colour and sound.
Earlier in the evening, families also watched a separate fireworks display at Corniche Al Qawasim.
Crowds gathered at beachfront resorts and the New Year’s Eve Festival, where live stage performances and entertainment continued throughout the night.
Phillipa Harrison, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said the celebrations aimed to bring people together.
“New Year’s Eve in Ras Al Khaimah is about bringing people together. With this year’s show, we wanted to create a celebration that could be shared by our entire community and everyone visiting Ras Al Khaimah at this special time,” she said.
She added that the event also provided a moment to reflect on the emirate’s progress and to welcome the year ahead.
