As the world entered 2025, Abu Dhabi captivated people with an electrifying New Year's Eve celebration by hosting the largest fireworks display at the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba. The record-breaking 50-minute night show also set a Guinness World Record for an aerial display by 6,000 drones that lit up the skies for over 20 minutes, creating an aerial art. Other iconic locations across Abu Dhabi, including Yas Island and the Corniche, joined the celebrations with their stunning pyrotechnics. Watch videos here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗜𝗔 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗢𝗢𝗥 | 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗟 & 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗 (@cuptaleswithsafia) From abu dhabi to world 🇦🇪 #HappyNewYear2025 pic.twitter.com/w6BNrwzXbm — كنافة🍃 (@Divine__fight) December 31, 2024 Abu Dhabi set to break world record with staggering 53 minute non-stop New Year’s fireworks display. 🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/2Xd5vhDbPC — Oli London (@OliLondonTV) December 31, 2024 The viral videos of the event showcased Abu Dhabi’s drive to surpass its past achievements. In 2023, the Sheikh Zayed Festival made waves with a 40-minute firework display, setting three Guinness World Records for duration, formation, and quantity. The festival had also created the world’s largest aerial logo with over 5,000 drones. Sharing the latest video, a content creator wrote, “Abu Dhabi Breaks Guinness World Record with 50+ Mins Fireworks. Happy 2025. WHAT A MAGNIFICENT SIGHT.” However, the spectacular event did not sit well with several social media users, triggering a backlash. A user wrote, “I would say No point in flexing. They rather polluting the Environment!!!! Well HAPPY NEW YEAR btw.” Another user commented, “People over here are going to suffer respiratory disease in 2025. Are they even alive?” “50 minutes of pollution and killing of so many birds and that’s a world record,” a third user reacted. This year, Yas Island dazzled visitors with its fireworks displays at 9 pm and midnight, offering views from prime locations such as Samaliyah Island, Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Beach, and Yas Marina. Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi Corniche added to the festivities with its spectacular show, best viewed from spots like Corniche Beach, the MOTN Festival, and Lulu Island, The Khaleej Times reported.
