New Year’s Eve set to be aglow

With New Year's eve just around the corner, residents of the country are gearing up to welcome 2016. In keeping with the adage, ‘Each to their own', the new year welcome can be a simple experience of inviting friends home and having a rambunctious time, packing a hot snack and heading to see the fireworks on the beach, dining out with the family at modestly priced restaurants or lavish celebrations at glittering addresses.

Gulf News brings you some of the options on December 31. Depending on how deep is your pocket or how simple your idea of a celebration, make your pick.

Simple pleasures: it doesn't need money to usher in a new year

Up to Dh100 per person

A home-cooked meal, potluck meals with friends at home and a balcony view of fireworks make up the perfect New Year's eve.

You can also be with your family at home and catch the city's celebrations on TV while enjoying a delicious home-cooked meal.

If you prefer the outdoors and cool sand under your feet, pack a few eatables and head to Jumeriah's public beach with family and friends. Watch the dazzling fireworks across Dubai's skyline including the displays at Burj Khalifa, and Burj Al Arab.

Welcome the New Year by taking advantage of the cool weather and heading to one of many desert spots in Al Warqa or Al Qudra for a bonfire and BBQ.

Want to join the buzz at the world's tallest tower and still avoid the hefty minimum charges of restaurants and cafes? An early visit to Dubai Mall on New Year's Eve could give you a front seat to the fireworks. Be sure to get there at least six to eight hours before midnight, and you could find a spot by the Dubai Fountains to enjoy the midnight firework display.

Live streaming of the fireworks: On screens above the ice rink, the foyer video wall at Dubai Mall's level two, and by the underwater zoo entrance for shoppers at the mall. Live streaming will also be available at Dubai Marina Mall, level 2 lounge video wall, and Reel Cinemas, at The Beach's Foyer video wall.

Celebrations can also be enjoyed from the outdoor New Year's Eve Gala at Downtown Dubai-free of charge. Visitors can watch the spectacle from specially allocated viewing points in Burj Park as well as from Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard. Arrive before 6pm and take public transport to reach the venue. (The Roads and Transport Authority are planning to extend the operational hours of the Dubai Metro).

Al Maryah Island's promenade, Abu Dhabi

Live music, fireworks, a countdown and footage from across the globe. The promenade will also feature a wide range of food trucks serving nibbles.

Entry free of charge.

For those who prefer the outdoors, head down to The Beach and soak in the ocean vibes with the city's first ever dry dance party. Residents can enjoy dinner at any of the available restaurants before heading down to The Beach free-of charge party. There, you can watch the dazzling 20 minute long domino effect fireworks show commencing from Downtown Dubai across the coastline of Dubai with an extravagant finale at 12:16am on January 1, 2016.

The city-wide fireworks will also be displayed on large screens, and a countdown into 2016 will take place with sounds and beats by a host of Dubai's top DJ's, and a headline act by international DJ and producer Pierre Ravan.

Spend some, enjoy some:

Dh100-500 per head

‘New Year's eve' by Chef Francisco Sanabria – Aqua, Rosewood Abu Dhabi

Looking for a dinner with an international flair? ‘New Year's Eve' by Chef Francisco Sanabria, an Artisan Buffet and soft drinks.

Prices start at Dh395 per head.

From 7.30 onwards.

El Sombrero - Sheraton Abu Dhabi

Unlimited Mexican food and beverages.

Prices start at Dh415 per person. For children aged 0-12, prices start at Dh210.

Opening hours 8:00 pm-11:30 pm.

Silk & Spice – Sofitel Abu Dhabi

Authentic Thai cuisine with set menu. Spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf for free.

Prices start Dh345 per person with soft beverages and Dh485 per person with a free flow of house beverages and bubbly.

If you want to ring in the New Year with a festive party, the David Guetta concert might be just for you. With tickets starting at Dh495, the Peppermint Experience Dubai New Year Eve from 8pm to 3am, will be featuring David Guetta at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre.

JW Marriott Marquis' Positano

A feast of Italian favourites, complemented by a glass of bubbly for Dh495 per person.

The Reform Social and Grill at The Lakes, Emirates Golf Club.

Three-course brunch menu with unlimited soft drinks for Dh425 from 8pm to 1am.

Life's a splurge

Dh500 upwards per person

Step In. Stand Out. Welcome 2016 – Glo, Rosewood Abu Dhabi

Prices start at Dh1,500 for a table of six. Live DJ entertainment, followed by a countdown.

Opening hours: 9pm onwards.

Villa Toscana, St. Regis Abu Dhabi

Prices start at Dh650 per person including bubbly and Dh450 excluding drinks. Opening hours: 7pm onwards.

Bid 2015 farewell with your family at the St. Regis Abu Dhabi's Villa Toscana and relish the restaurant's scrumptious Italian cuisine. Prices start at Dh 650 per person including bubbly and Dh450 excluding drinks. Opening hours are from 7pm onwards.

Madinat Jumeirah, private beach in an exclusive tent

Dh7, 500 per couple.

Address Dubai Mall, Cabana Gala Dinner

Dh2, 350 per person

Burj Khalifa, AT.MOSPHERE RESTAURANT:

Dh4, 000 per person and a non-window table for Dh 3,500 both

Dubai Mall, Paul Bakery and Restaurant

Dh849 per person

Five Guys in Dubai Mall

Ringside view of Burj Khalifa fireworks and the Dubai fountain.

Outside seating: Dh1,200 per person with unlimited number of food and beverages.

Inside seating: Dh1,000 per person with unlimited number of food and beverages.
Source: Gulf News