Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

December 27 update: Abu Dhabi cancels balloon release on January 1 A total of 30,000 balloons will be released at midnight at the Sheikh Zayed Festival as part of the New Year’s Eve celebrations, organisers told Expat Media. The Higher Organising Committee of the Sheikh Zayed Festival previously announced that it planned to release 100,000 balloons. The Sheikh Zayed Festival is currently being held in Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba showgrounds, which is set to lit up in a multi-record breaking fireworks show to usher in 2024. According to organizers, the New Year’s Eve extravaganza will feature the release of 30,000 colourful balloons in the sky at midnight. There will also be DJ and a live music show. Abu Dhabi aims to break four world records with its New Year's Eve celebrations. “Celebrations will include the largest and most extravagant firework display, which will last more than 60 minutes, breaking four Guinness World Records in terms of quantity, time and design intricacy,” said the Organising Committee of the Sheikh Zayed Festival. The New Year’s extravaganza will also include a drone show using more than 5,000 drones that will hover over Al Wathba skies in intricate patterns, which is also a new record in the region. Spectators will also be treated to a huge laser show in another first of its kind event, in addition to special presentations by the Emirates Fountain, Glowing Towers Garden and the various pavilions of the Festival, along with a number of cultural and civilizational performances from around the world. The committee allocated giant screens outside the Festival square to broadcast events, activities and performances of the celebration, due to the expected high turnout to the Festival to celebrate New Year’s Eve. The Sheikh Zayed Festival is open until March 9, from 4pm to midnight on weekdays and until 1am on weekends and holidays. ICA/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page