In December 2022, my girlfriend and I embarked on a grand trip spanning 5 countries and 1 city-state. In a series of posts, I’ll take you through our 28-days trip across Jordan, Egypt, The Maldives, Malaysia, Singapore, and Dubai.
Seeing the fireworks off the Burj Khalifa was one of my bucket list items. I spent hours researching venues with a killer view of the Burj Khalifa. Fireworks are launched from all sides of the 2,717 ft (828 m) tower. The lasers and spotlights installed on the Burj light up the night sky and the Dubai Fountains do their thing below.
There are angles to consider when picking venues with view of the Burj Khalifa. The front of the Burj is the side as seen from the Dubai Fountains. When viewing from the front, you’ll see the fireworks, the lasers, the spotlights, and the LED exterior facade displaying video like one giant television. From all other sides, you’ll only see the fireworks, the lasers, and the spotlights.
This post will cover venues with view of the Burj Khalifa fireworks. While the specific details may change for future new year’s eves, use this guide to select the venue. Go to the end of this post for a table comparing the venues and my recommendations. The service fee is built into package costs and a la carte ordering will most likely include a 10% service fee on the check.
Relive December 31, 2022’s NYE fireworks show here.
Venues
Venues covered in this post. Click to jump to a particular venue.
- Aura Sky Lounge
- Ce La Vi
- Dubai Opera
- Karma Kafe
- LookUp Skybar
- Luna Dubai
- Queen Elizabeth 2 Ocean Liner
- Time Out Market Dubai
- Treehouse at Taj Hotel
Aura Skypool and Lounge
The AURA Skypool is 200 meters in the air and boasts the world’s highest 360° infinity pool with views of The Palm, Burj Al Arab and Atlantis Hotels, and the city skyline. Also available for morning, evening, and full day passes any other day – but reservations go quick! Their NYE package for NYE 2022-2023:
- Price: 2,750 AED per person (~$749 USD at time of writing)
- Includes: bottle of champagne to share per two guests and AURA’s signature dishes
- Dress code: Elegant Chic
- Bird’s Eye Distance to the Burj Khalifa: 16km or 10 miles
- Description of the view: while unobstructed, the Burj Khalifa will be small in the distance. Marvel at other fireworks displays on the Dubai skyline, notably Burj Al Arab fireworks and The Palm fireworks.
- Booking: directly on their website
Ce La Vi Dubai
The closest rooftop location to the Burj Khalifa in this list. Ce La Vi Dubai sits on top of Tower 2 Address Sky View, on the 54th floor. This building is easily recognizable as it looks like Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, which also has a Ce La Vi. Similar to the Singapore location, the infinity pool is restricted to hotel guests.
- Price: 5,000 AED minimum spend per person ($1,361 USD at time of writing)
- Includes: A la carte food and beverages. Menu was curated by Chef Howard Ko. A few items on the menu: oysters, caviar, fresh seafood platters, and European cheese boards. Live band entertainment by the SWAY All Stars, a notable band who have performed for A-listers in the UK and abroad.
- Dress Code: Elegant
- Bird’s Eye Distance to the Burj Khalifa: 650m or 0.4 miles
- Description of the view: Unobstructed view of the back and side of the Burj Khalifa for the fireworks, lights, and lasers. Due to the proximity, the Dubai Fountains may be visible past the Burj, but the LED display will not be visible.
- Booking: email reservation-dxb@celavi.com
Dubai Opera
The Dubai Opera sits at the base of the Burj Khalifa. Close to midnight, guests are ushered outside to the Dubai Opera promenade to witness the Burj Khalifa fireworks. Note that ticket prices are per pair; single tickets are not available.
Want to see what NYE at the Dubai Opera would look like? Youtube – user MIKI007
- Price: Tiered packages starting at 3,700 AED for 2 people (~$1,000 USD at time of writing)
- Includes: Three-course set dinner with six hours of free flowing drinks. Live performances by Britain’s Got Talent finalists, along with DJ Bliss and DJ Keza.
- Dress Code: Black Tie
- Bird’s Eye Distance to the Burj Khalifa: 300m or 0.2 miles
- Description of the view: Unobstructed view of the Burj from the ground. On the right, the Dubai Fountains.
- Booking: Dubai Opera website or email boxoffice@dubaiopera.com
Karma Kafe
Stare up at the Burj Khalifa from one of the restaurants in the Souk Al Bahar, the shopping mall directly in front of the Dubai Fountain. This restaurant, as well as the other balcony restaurants in the souk, face the front of the Burj Khalifa. The fountains, the LED display, the lights and lasers, and the fireworks will be in full view. I emailed this restaurant to inquire about reservations for 2022-2023 but they were unresponsive; try their WhatsApp. It’s not clear how guests seated indoors will view the fireworks.
- Price: tiered packages starting at 600 AED per person for lounge seating and tiered table pricing starting at 1,000 AED per person
- Includes: champagne on arrival, bottomless select beers, house wines, and mixed drinks. Small bites for lounge seating and 6-course set menu for table seating.
- Dress Code: none listed so assume upscale
- Bird’s Eye Distance to the Burj Khalifa: 335m or 0.21 miles
- Description of the view: Balcony view of the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountains
- Booking: Karma Kafe website
LookUp Bar
Located on the 5th floor of La Ville Hotel & Suites by Marriott.
- Price: 1,100 AED per person (~$300 USD at the time of writing). Ticket is for the entry only and table reservations are not available.
- Includes: canapés/finger food, house beverages, live entertainment & undisturbed views of the Burj Khalifa fireworks.
- Dress Code: not available so assume upscale
- Bird’s Eye Distance to the Burj Khalifa: 1.85km or 1.15 miles
- Description of the view: Undisturbed views of the back of the Burj at a distance. The lights, lasers, and fireworks will be visible. The LED display and Dubai Fountains will not.
- Booking: email ak.dxblv.rest.reservations@autographhotels.com
Luna Skybar Dubai
Located on the 8th floor of the Four Seasons Hotel DIFC. This Youtuber captured the view from Luna on NYE Youtube link.
- Price: 2,000 AED minimum spend per person (~$544 USD at the time of writing).
- Includes: A la cart food and beverages. Vibe to the soundtrack set by Luna’s DJ, singer, violinist, and saxophonist.
- Dress Code: Dress to impress
- Bird’s Eye Distance to the Burj Khalifa: 2km or 1.24 miles
- Description of the view: obstructed view of the back & side of the Burj. The lights, lasers, and fireworks will be visible. The LED display and Dubai Fountains will not.
- Booking: email lunaskybar.dubaidifc@fourseasons.com
The Queen Elizabeth II
A party and stay package. Party and stay the night on the historical Queen Elizabeth II ocean liner.
- Price: Rates start from 2,299 AED per person (~$626 USD at time of writing)
- Includes: Two night stay, 6 course NYE dinner, live entertainment, and buffet breakfast in Lido Restaurant
- Dress Code: Dress to impress
- Bird’s Eye Distance to the Burj Khalifa: 7km or 4.36 miles
- Description of the view: The Burj Khalifa is visible on Dubai’s skyline. From QE2’s vantage point, other fireworks displays can be seen.
- Booking: their website or contact reservations.qe2@accor.com
Time Out Market Dubai
The same Time Out, that publishes the ultimate guides to the best art, entertainment, food, drink, attractions, hotels, and things to do in cities all around the world, created a culinary hotspot in the Souk Al Bahar shopping center. The large market, with both indoor and outdoor seating, feature 17 mini-restaurants and three bars.
- Price: 2,000 AED per person (~$544 USD) for inside seating and 3,000 AED per person (~$817 USD) for the outdoor seating on the terrace.
- Includes: A la carte dining and beverages. 50% of the booking value will be given back to redeem for food and drinks. Entertainment provided by a DJ, a live band, several roaming acts, a glitter station, and a magic photo booth
- Dress Code: Dress to impress
- Bird’s Eye Distance to the Burj Khalifa: 300m or 0.2 miles
- Description of the view: Guests on the balcony will have front-facing views of the Dubai Fountains and the Burj Khalifa. Guests seated inside will have the same view in a reserved area outside the Souk.
- Booking: http://www.800tickets.ae/ when tickets are released
Treehouse Taj Dubai
Located on the third floor of the Taj Hotel. This is the one I attended in 2022 with Grace and were blown away by the decorations, variety of food and desserts, and the friendliness of all staff, including the jacked security guards. I’ll share my experience at the Treehouse Taj Dubai in a future post.
- Price: 2,190 AED per person (~$596) for garden seating and 2,490 AED per person (~$678 USD) for terrace seating
- Includes: All-inclusive buffet with live grill, sushi, and fresh oysters. Bottomless select beers, house wines, and mixed drinks. Entertainment by a DJ, drummer, and saxophonist.
- Dress Code: Stylish Elegant
- Bird’s Eye Distance to the Burj Khalifa: 900m or 0.56 miles
- Description of the view: Partially obstructed view of the Burj Khalifa.
- Booking: email fbreservations.dubai@tajhotels.com
My Recommendations
Finally for my recommendations to spend your next NYE in Dubai:
- Treehouse Taj Dubai for the sheer over-the-top-ness that described our night (left)
- Time Out Market for the unrivaled Burj Khalifa view and the insane number of high quality restaurants under one roof (right)
Summary
A lot of information above, how about a table comparing costs and the view of the Burj Khalifa? You got it.
| Locale | Cost per person | USD conversion | Bird’s Eye Distance to Burj Khalifa | Unobstructed view of the Burj? | Includes |
| Aura Sky Lounge | 2,750 AED | $749 | 16km or 10 miles | Yes | Bottle of champagne per two guests and small bites |
| Ce La Vi | 5,000 AED min spend | $1,361 | 650m or 0.4 miles | Yes | A la carte food and beverages, and live band entertainment |
| Dubai Opera | 1,850 AED (two people min) | $500 – two people min | 300m or 0.2 miles | Yes | Three-course set dinner with six hours of free flowing drinks, and live performances |
| Karma Kafe | 600 AED+ | $163+ | 335m or 0.21 miles | Yes | Bottomless select drinks. Small bites for lounge seating and 6-course set menu for table seating |
| LookUp Skybar | 1,100 AED | $300 | 1.85km or 1.15 miles | Yes | Small bites, house beverages, live entertainment |
| Luna Dubai | 2,000 AED min spend | $544 | 2km or 1.24 miles | No | A la cart food and beverages. DJ, singer, violinist, and saxophonist. |
| QE2 | 2,299 AED | $626 | 7km or 4.36 miles | Yes | Two night stay, 6 course NYE dinner, live entertainment, and buffet breakfast in Lido Restaurant |
| Time Out Market Dubai | 2,000 AED+ | $544+ | 300m or 0.2 miles | Yes | 50% of cost redeemable for food and beverage. DJ, live band entertainment, and others |
| Treehouse at Taj Hotel | 2,190 AED garden seating 2,490 AED terrace seating | $596 USD $678 USD | 900m or 0.56 miles | No | All-inclusive buffet and bottomless select drinks. DJ |
Honorable Mentions
Two honorable mentions. I walked by the Asado Restaurant in the Souk Al Bahar during the evening, turned, and saw the Burj Khalifa soaring above the outdoor seating area. I can only imagine what highly rated Argentinian Steakhouse would have prepared for NYE.
Second, the Desert Rose and Lotus mega yachts to ring in the new year from the water. These super yachts sail from the Dubai Marina to view the fireworks from Atlantis The Palm, Jumeirah Beach, Burj Al Arab, and other fireworks displays across the Dubai skyline. They offer tiered packages that include bottomless food and beverage. website
Yummy Treks 