14 Things to Do Alone in Dubai on New Year’s Eve | Solo Female Travel
I like to believe that the way you spend your New Year’s Eve is a reflection of how you are planning on spending the rest of the year. And if you are travelling on New Year’s Eve, it becomes even more essential that you make the time memorable.
Dubai being the most popular travel destination among solo female travellers offers plenty of things for you to do during any time of the year. However, if you visit Dubai during late December and your solo trip goes on till early January (and I highly recommend you do), you may end up having one of the best New Year’s celebrations of your life!
But now, you might be wondering what to do alone in Dubai during New Year’s Eve, right? Well, do not worry, I have got you covered. Having visited Dubai in December (especially for New Year’s Eve celebrations) myself, I can say that New Year’s Eve in Dubai turned out to be one of my best!
I have curated a list of the top 15 things to do alone in Dubai during New Year’s Eve to save you the trouble of surfing multiple websites and getting confused. Read on to know everything in detail!
1. Fireworks at Burj Khalifa
One of the most famous tourist attractions in the United Arab Emirates, one cannot deny the beauty of the tallest building in the world – the Burj Khalifa. It looks beautiful every other day and, oh, extraordinarily beautiful and stunning on New Year’s Eve!
In the last few years, Burj Khalifa has been conducting fireworks and laser light shows for its visitors. On the last day of December, you will witness how stunning Burj Khalifa looks with all the fireworks and crowd gathering around it.
I would recommend you buy a ticket to the topmost floor of Burj Khalifa to make sure you make the most of your New Year’s Eve. But if you fail to get the ticket, you can still watch the fireworks from Dubai Mall.
2. Entertainment at The Palm
Everywhere you go on New Year’s Eve, you are going to have a great night. One of the most memorable things to do alone in Dubai during New Year’s Eve is experiencing the entertainment sections at The Palm. It is usually very crowded with both locals and visitors, and on New Year’s Eve, you might find it even more crowded. So be prepared!
The Palm offers different packages for all its visitors. These include dance activities, live music, fireworks, among many other things. Along with the entertainment, you can also fill your tummy with some delicious food from world-renowned chefs!
Here is a little point to note – the tickets to The Palm fill out really quickly. So I would recommend you purchase yours well before time, somewhere around early to mid-December would do.
3. Go on a Desert Safari
If you are not into parties and would rather spend your New Year’s Eve away from crowds, then a desert safari would be perfect for you. You can start your evening by witnessing the gorgeous golden sunset in the desert. Then, you can head to your Bedouin desert camp, where you will receive a warm welcome in authentic Arabian style! Quite a way to spend New Year’s Eve, right?
For dinner, you can have a delicious buffet including barbeque meat, mouthwatering desserts, a variety of authentic main course dishes, and some healthy yet tasty salads. The ambience in the desert camp will definitely make your New Year’s Eve one of the best and memorable of your life.
4. Visit Global Village
The New Year’s Eve celebrations are quite famous among locals and tourists. So if you want to have a not-so-glamorous New Year’s Eve, you can spend your evening at the Global Village. A little warning, Global Village will be crowded too. But you will have plenty of other options to keep you entertained as compared to just watching the fireworks.
At the Global Village, you can check out the traditions of over 75 nations across the world. Another eye-catching thing about spending New Year’s Eve in Global Village is the musical fireworks. This is what sets spending New Year’s Eve at Global Village apart from other places!
5. Go all out with dancing the night away
If you love partying, then you will not be disappointed with Dubai. The country holds some of the most happening parties. People just have fun and dance all night long. You can head to Warehouse for a Great Gatsby-themed party, Atlantis on The Palm, The Penthouse for a jungle-themed party, or Barasti Beach. These are only a few of the places that host the best parties in Dubai.
As a solo female traveller, safety is the utmost priority. Keep an eye out for anything or anyone suspicious around you during the party.
6. Go on a Helicopter Ride
A helicopter ride witnessing the beauty of the country should definitely be on your bucket list of things to do in Dubai. And what better way than to tick this list off of your bucket list during New Year?
You can buy a ticket for the helicopter ride well in advance. The helicopter will take off from the stunning Palm Jumeirah and take you around the nearby beautiful landscapes. Also, if you have an interest in history and facts, you can interact with the tour guide, and they will be more than happy to tell you more about the gorgeous country. I wish I had gone on a helicopter ride during my 7-day solo trip to Dubai!
7. One of my favourite things to do alone in Dubai during New Year’s Eve – a Hatta Adventure!
If you are someone who does not fancy glamour and crowds that much, well, this one is for you. An adventure trip to Hatta will definitely make your New Year’s Eve in Dubai a memorable one. Hatta is considered an adventurous hub that offers the visitors plenty of adventurous activities like kayaking, hiking, zip-lining, mountain biking, among many other things!
For activities that do not involve pumping your adrenaline this much, you can head to the Heritage Village or the Hatta Lake.
If time permits, you can also stay in the beautiful Hatta Damani Lodges or the Sedr Trailer Resort. These stays will give you an insight into the area’s natural treasures and cultural attractions.
On my solo trip to Dubai, I had welcomed the New Year by spending the night in the beautiful Hatta Lodges. I did not regret missing out on fireworks and parties in the city because these adventurous activities made my New Year’s Eve a rather special one!
8. Get your adventurous side out with skydiving your way into the New Year
Always wanted to skydive but never had the chance to? Well, now is your time! I think Skydiving in Dubai, especially during the New Year, would be a great way to get out of your comfort zone and welcome a new year in style.
Again, you need to buy the tickets well in advance as many locals and tourists who travel to Dubai for New Year indulge in adventurous activities like skydiving. The mesmerising views of the landscapes in Dubai will definitely take your breath away and prove to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
As I had planned my New Year’s Eve for a Hatta Adventure, I missed out on skydiving. But, since it had always been on my bucket list, I did do skydiving, but two days later, after New Year’s Eve. Trust me, the views from high above were stunning, and I would highly recommend you try this out at least once, and in Dubai itself!
9. Visit the Kite Beach
Even though there are so many beaches in Dubai, my absolute favourite one is the Kite beach, especially during New Year’s Eve. The views from this beach are mesmerising, and the Burj Al Arab looks extremely beautiful. On New Year’s Eve, you can witness the colourful fireworks and the stunning view of the Burj Al Arab.
Another plus point of visiting Kite Beach is it’s totally free! So you can have a great start to the year without having to spend a single penny. The place looks stunning, and lots of people gather at the beach to welcome the New Year.
And if you happen to be a photographer, you just hit the jackpot! I swear you can click some breathtaking pictures here and flaunt them on your Instagram!
10. Attend a lavish dinner
If you are a foodie, this would be the perfect way to spend New Year’s Eve. Every year, the QE2 holds a Gala dinner. It is a black-tie event that will definitely make your New Year special. The event features a lavish meal with seven courses. And while you devour the delicious meal, you can look out at the stunning skyline of Dubai. Oh, and also, there is a live band! You can request them to play your favourite songs to make your dinner special. Trust me, it is not so awkward to have dinner alone at a restaurant. If Mr. Bean can do it, you can do it too!
I would highly recommend you attend this Gala dinner as nothing beats a tummy full of good and delicious food!
11. New Year’s Eve in Madinat Jumeirah
One of the best things to do alone in Dubai during New Year’s Eve is spending the night at Madinat Jumeirah. The place is known for its happening New Year’s Eve celebrations and would make a great option to spend your night welcoming the New Year.
Madinat Jumeirah offers live entertainment, fire dancers, musicians, and artists, and lots of champagne along with a wide variety of cuisines from all around the world. As the clock strikes 12, you can witness the beautiful fireworks while enjoying your meal with some delicious champagne and entertainment.
12. Head to the La Mer Market
The La Mer Market is a waterfront market decorated with beautiful lights on New Year’s Eve. The market already has a big menu of delicious dishes to spoil you, and guess what? The menu expands further on the occasion of New Year, making it one of the best things to do alone in Dubai during New Year’s Eve!
Along with the additions of food, the markets sparkle in New Year decorations. This will give you the right vibes of celebrating New Year’s Eve in Dubai!
13. Food and Party at Amazonico
Amazonico is known to host massive glamorous parties every year on New Year. So, if you are a party lover, this would be a great option for you. Since Amazonico is an American Latin restaurant, its speciality is American cuisine. You can enjoy live music while having a delicious meal and welcome the New Year in style!
Learn more about this fancy restaurant here.
14. Keep it simple with a Staycation
Last but not least option to spend New Year’s Eve in Dubai is by keeping it simple yet luxurious by spending a day or two in some of the beautiful properties in Dubai. It is a known fact that Dubai radiates luxury all around. If you don’t mind splurging out on luxurious accommodation, this is the best option out there. Nothing gets better than spending New Year’s Eve with delicious food, drinks, party at the waterfront when the clock strikes 12!
However, I like sticking to budget-friendly accommodations when I travel alone.
Next time, when you plan a solo trip for New Year, make sure your destination is as glamorous and safe as Dubai!
What is your favourite solo travel destination for New Year’s Eve?
Swagachi
An introverted blogger who is looking to make unforgettable solo travel memories with one short life.