Abu Dhabi New Year’s Eve has never been about doing things by halves. From headline concerts and black-tie galas to candlelit desert nights beneath the stars, the capital offers countless ways to welcome the year ahead. But as tastes shift and sustainability increasingly shapes how and where we celebrate, many are seeking experiences that are a little more mindful. Think outdoor settings that let nature do the heavy lifting and destination dining that values quality over excess.
So, from Saadiyat Island to the sweeping dunes of Liwa, these are some of the most stylish and sustainable ways to ring in the new year in Abu Dhabi.
Saadiyat Nights with Alicia Keys
There’s something undeniably special about welcoming the new year under an open sky. Saadiyat Nights delivers exactly that, as Alicia Keys returns to Abu Dhabi for a New Year’s Eve concert set against the natural beauty of Saadiyat Island. With her soulful sound and crowd-pleasing anthems, the 17-time GRAMMY Award winner brings some serious star power to an open-air stage. Beyond the music, outdoor concerts reduce the need for heavy production and create a more relaxed atmosphere that remind us that sometimes, less really is more.
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental with John Legend
Headlining New Year’s Eve at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, John Legend brings world-class music to one of Abu Dhabi’s most iconic settings. The evening pairs a gala dinner with live music, delivering classic end-of-year glamour done properly. Behind the scenes, the hotel is widely recognised for its strong eco-credentials, with initiatives ranging from plastic reduction and energy efficiency to responsible sourcing across its dining outlets.
A desert New Year at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara
If swapping city crowds for desert silence sounds like your kind of New Year’s Eve, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara delivers. Set deep in the Liwa dunes, the resort hosts an open-air desert majlis with dining, music and a midnight countdown under the stars, offering a refreshing alternative to over-produced hotel parties. Behind the scenes, the resort is known for its strong sustainability focus, from energy and water conservation to responsible desert stewardship.
Family-friendly Abu Dhabi New Year’s Eve at Erth
For a New Year’s Eve that works for the whole family, Erth Abu Dhabi’s gala at Al Fayy Garden strikes the right balance. Expect live music, a midnight countdown and plenty to keep children entertained, all set within one of the capital’s most sustainability-led properties. Formerly a military facility, Erth has been thoughtfully regenerated with a strong focus on energy efficiency, water conservation and local sourcing making this a feel-good way to welcome in the year ahead.
A city-centric countdown at the Mother of the Nation Festival
Sometimes the best celebrations are the ones closest to home. The Mother of the Nation Festival’s New Year’s Eve event along the Corniche offers a lively, accessible way to welcome the year without the need for elaborate planning or long journeys. With live entertainment, a festive atmosphere and the Abu Dhabi skyline as its backdrop, it’s a celebration designed for all ages. Walkable, communal and unmistakably local, it proves that ringing in the new year doesn’t have to involve excess to feel special.
Waterfront festivities at Hilton Yas Island
For those who prefer their celebrations outdoors and high-energy, Yas Bay Lawn at Hilton Yas Island offers a vibrant way to ring in the new year. Set along the waterfront, the event combines dining, live music and dance performances in an open-air setting, with festivities rolling well past midnight. It’s a crowd-pleasing option that still benefits from being alfresco reducing the sense of enclosed excess while dialling up atmosphere.
