Farewell to 2012: it's time to party

Watch the fireworks live: Don't know where to ring in the New Year yet? Here is a guide to what's happening around the UAE tonight.

Ellie Goulding will play at Sandance. Christopher Polk / Getty Images for Clear Channel / AFP

Najwa Karam and Kadim Al Sahir, in the Etihad Ballroom at Emirates Palace

Arab pop music royalty at royal prices, the Iraqi singer and poet Kadim Al Sahir and the Lebanese starlet Najwa Karam co-headline a New Year's Eve performance at the Etihad Ballroom. Both singers are set to cap off a successful year where they spent more time on television screens than on stage. Al Sahir was one of the coaches of the debut Arab version of the reality series The Voice, while Karam's sassy comments as a judge on Arabs Got Talent (both programmes are on MBC) were partly responsible for the show's hit status. Both will surely welcome the chance to remind audiences of their musical pedigree. Tickets begin at Dh2,000 – however, promoters say the hefty price tag comes with a multi-course dinner and soft drinks. For reservations, call 02 690 8435 or go to www.double8.me.

Flo Rida and DJ Yves La Rock at XL Beach Club

The Wild Ones rapper returns after performing at the opening of the Dubai Marina club in March, 2011. Joining him for the New Year's Eve bash is DJ Yves La Rock. The event is destined to become a sell-out, with the Cabanas snapped up already. With parts of Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai Marina closed during the festivities, organisers are encouraging revellers to arrange alternative transportation to the event. In short, get there early or you will miss out. Doors open at 7.30pm. Tickets begin from Dh395 from www.timeoutickets.com.

Xzibit and DJ Premiere at Cash Club, Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai

For hip-hop heads not wanting to sit through hours of pop and dance before the main event – as in the case of Snoop Dogg's Atelier performance – Xzibit's gig at the Cash Club should fit the bill. The gangster rapper and Pimp My Ride host is known for energetic sets full of anthems produced by the likes of Dr Dre and Akon. Supporting him will be Dubai's very own DJ Bliss. Doors open at 10pm. Tickets begin from Dh750. For details, visit www.cashnightclub.com.

Atelier/Festival New Year's Eve Edition featuring Snoop Dogg, Faithless and Armand Van Helden at Meydan Racecourse

Will he or won't he? Snoop Dogg caused a sensation after donning a kandura during his Yas Island performance last year. In what is an eclectic bill, the rapper joins a reunited Faithless, the dance DJ Armand Van Helden and the Gorillaz Sound System. Also coming along for the ride is a pair of Europop starlets. To know what Romanian pop sounds like, check out Inna's set. Also look out for the Swedish pop singer September's performance of Baksmälla; the track won song of the year in the 2012 Swedish Grammy Awards. Tickets begin at Dh400 from www.timeouttickets.com.

Tanushree Dutta and Meiyang Chang at the Arena, Dubai World Trade Centre

You can celebrate the new year Bollywood-style with the actress Tanushree Duttra and Meiyang Chang, a top 10 finalist of Indian Idol 3. As well as plenty of food, there will be lots of prizes to be won. Tickets for this event need to be picked up at the Country Club office in Dubai. Doors open at 9pm. For details, go to www.countryclubdubai.com.

Amasi Beach Party featuring DJ Donabelle at Al Hamra Palace Hotel & Beach Resort, Ras Al Khaimah

Beginning in October with a funky set by the British DJ Norman Jay, the Amasi Beach parties culminate on New Year's Eve with the Dubai spinner DJ Donabelle. With an eclectic range of tunes on offer – house, dance and funk – the out-of-the-way trip is worth it for those wanting to hear good tunes in a chilled setting. Show starts at 7pm. Tickets are Dh90 and available from Virgin Megastores and www.timeouttickets.com.

Angelo Borer and Crazy Feet Company at Coral Beach Resort, Sharjah

Even Sharjah is getting in on the New Year's Eve festivities with a gala dinner. The renowned Swiss tap-dancer Angelo Borer and his troupe will charm the crowd with Broadway routines. Other acts on the bill include Filipino hip-hop artists, an Indian dance troupe and African drumming. Festivities begin at 7pm. Tickets are Dh399 from www.timeouttickets.com.

Sandance New Year's Eve featuring Ellie Goulding, Rita Ora and DJs Paul van Dyk, Roger Sanchez and Zane Lowe at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai

Fast becoming a New Year's Eve institution, Sandance is preparing another end-of-year bash with some of the hottest names in the pop and dance world. Unlike last year's New Year's Eve party, which was more focused towards the dance crowd, organisers this year thankfully balance out the beats with some fine vocal talent. Ellie Goulding had a great year with her second album Halcyon getting to No 2 in the UK charts, powered by the hit Lights. She joins her fellow British pop star Rita Ora, also riding high on the back of her debut album Ora. DJs Paul van Dyk and Roger Sanchez will cater for the dance crowd with the BBC Radio 1 personality Zane Lowe tasked with the New Year countdown. Doors open at 3pm. Tickets start from Dh295 on www.timeoutickets.com.

Yas Viceroy on Yas Island,
Abu Dhabi

With Allure by Cipriani shut indefinitely for refurbishment, the Yas Viceroy is dishing out plenty of options for those wanting to ring in the new year on Yas Island. Six restaurants within the hotel have all launched their own New Year's Eve programme. Amici will provide delectable Italian dishes while Kazu is rolling out a special menu including tuna sashimi, grilled wagyu beef and sea urchins. Atayeb will be serving a gourmet Middle Eastern menu and Nautilus is catering for sea lovers with a large variety of oysters, lobster tail and a selection of caviars and foie gras. Most dinners start at 7pm. Details can be found on www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/abudhabi.

DJ Sharam and Gypsy Moreno at Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE, Ghantoot, Abu Dhabi

A romantic experience is promised by the organisers, including a beach dinner and tunes provided by DJ Sharam, one half of the influential house duo Deep Dish and Gypsy Moreno from the famed flamenco group The Gypsy Kings. Starts at 8pm. Tickets start at Dh550 from www.timeouttickets.com.