Celebrate Dubai’s brightest December events on the shores of Bluewaters
December on Bluewaters feels like Dubai at its best. The month brings a special charm to Bluewaters as the island turns into one of Dubai’s most vibrant festive destinations.
Cool evenings, glowing waterfront views, and thoughtfully curated events create an atmosphere that attracts families, travellers, and residents throughout the season.
From festive celebrations to luminous art experiences, from world-class drone shows to year-end fireworks, Bluewaters offers a lineup that captures both the spirit of winter and the excitement of the holidays. Each occasion adds its own colour to the island.
Take a look at the key December events you can enjoy on the shores of Bluewaters.
Festive Glow
Bluewaters introduces the ‘Festive Glow’ event as a radiant highlight of the season. The island transforms into a world of colour and movement from 6th December to 7th January.
Visitors enter an atmosphere filled with creative performances and luminous art that appeals to every age.
The event sets a cheerful tone across the promenades as the island lights up each evening.
The event offers a variety of visual and interactive attractions:
- Roaming jugglers move through the walkways and create lively pockets of energy.
- LED ballerinas shimmer under the night sky, and glowing butterflies drift across the pathways.
Alongside Bluewaters fireworks, visitors enjoy live bands that raise the energy and keep the evening vibrant. Immersive projection lights cover the surroundings and turn simple spaces into animated scenes. Children enjoy neon-bright workshops that allow them to create festive pieces while parents explore dining and retail options nearby.
Weekends add outdoor cinema sessions, music, and family-oriented activities. The island delivers a festive experience that suits relaxed strolls as well as lively group outings. Bluewaters invites everyone to enjoy a season that shines brighter with the Festive Glow.
New Year’s Eve
New Year's Eve in Dubai brings a glittering close to the year. The island sits on the water with clear views of the skyline, so every guest feels part of the city-wide celebration. The official event invites you to ring in 2026 in style with a night of dining, music, and front row fireworks.
Highlights of the new year celebration in Dubai include:
- Panoramic views of the city and sea from the promenades and restaurant terraces
- Exceptional dining across cuisines, from family-friendly venues to fine dining experiences
- Live performers and DJs who keep the energy high right up to the countdown
- Waterfront photo spots that capture both Ain Dubai and the illuminated skyline
The celebration takes place on 31st December and suits couples, groups of friends, and families with children. This is one of the biggest December events in Dubai. So, Guests arrive early to secure the best tables and viewing points.
The weather stays pleasant in the evening, so people can enjoy the night outdoors.
The moment your clock strikes twelve, the sky fills with colour. Bluewaters turns into a stage that welcomes 2026 with great excitement.
The fireworks in Dubai light up the skyline in a way that defines the true spirit of New Year’s Eve.
DSF drone show over the water
The DSF drone show returns on 5th December 2025 and brings Bluewaters a sky filled with colour and imagination.
More than 1,000 advanced LED drones rise above the island each night and create scenes that feel brighter and more detailed than previous seasons.
Families, travellers, and photography lovers gather early along the waterfront because the views of this drone show in Dubai remain exceptional.
Enjoy two distinct shows every evening:
- Dubai, City of Dreams, which honours the city’s iconic landmarks with sweeping formations
- Celebrations that fill the sky with vibrant shapes, playful colour, and creative movement
This edition introduces drone-powered pyro effects for the first time, which adds a new layer of excitement. Remember, every drone show in Bluewaters stays packed during peak times, so early arrival helps secure the perfect view.
Waterfront fireworks during Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF)
The Dubai Shopping Festival typically runs from mid-December to mid-January, and Bluewaters forms one of the key coastal hubs for festival fireworks and entertainment.
Shoppers rotate between nearby malls, JBR The Beach, and Bluewaters restaurants, then end the night with fireworks over the sea that align with DSF raffles, concerts, and citywide promotions.
Note that Fireworks at Bluewaters create a memory you will carry for life, so make sure you never miss this while you visit Dubai.
To sum up
Bluewaters brings Dubai’s festive season together in one glowing stretch of waterfront, from the cultural pride of Eid Al Etihad to the playful magic of Festive Glow and the sky-high drama of the Ain Dubai drone show and New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Each event adds a different mood, so you can plan relaxed family evenings, romantic dinners, or big nights out without leaving the island.
If you time your visit around key dates such as DSF weekends or 31st December, you can experience multiple shows in a single trip. For anyone creating memories through December events in Dubai, Bluewaters feels like the city’s brightest shoreline.