Abu Dhabi and RAK to attempt five Guinness World Records with fireworks on New Year's Eve

Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah are gearing up for record-breaking feats

The New Year's Eve celebrations in Ras Al Khaimah #RAKNYE 2022 dazzled everyone with a fireworks display that shattered two Guinness World Records. Photo: Marjan RAK/twitter

A picture taken on December 31, 2021 shows fireworks erupting from the Burj Khalifa in Dubai as part of the New Year's festivities. AFP

Fireworks explode at Expo 2020 Dubai to mark New Year 2022. Reuters

Spectacular fireworks display at the stroke of midnight to ring in the New Year 2022 on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Grand fireworks lit up the night sky along the Abu Dhabi Corniche for UAE at 50 celebrations on December 2, 2021. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The fireworks on the UAE's 50th National Day in 2021 in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Golden Jubilee fireworks at Al Maryah island in Abu Dhabi. Deepak Fernandez / The National

Fireworks as part of the 50th National Day celebration at the Expo 2020 Dubai site on December 1. Pawan Singh / The National

Fireworks are set off from the Yas Bay waterfront to mark Eid Al Fitr on May 13, 2021. Victor Besa / The National

Fireworks light the sky above Ain Dubai (the Dubai Eye), the world’s largest and tallest observation wheel, to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, on November 4, 2021. AFP

Diwali celebrations at Ain Dubai in 2021. AFP

Dubai's Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper, is lit by fireworks during its opening ceremony on January 4, 2010. AFP

People watch as fireworks set off above Atlantis, The Palm hotel during the first day of Expo 2020 Dubai on October 1, 2021. Reuters

Fireworks at Atlantis, The Palm to mark Expo 2020 Dubai. Reuters

The opening of Expo 2020 Dubai was marked by fireworks across the emirate. Reuters

Fireworks take place every weekend at Global Village in Dubai throughout the season. Photo: Global Village

In May 2021, Global Village attempted the world record for highest fireworks, with 20 skydivers landing at the fair with fireworks. Chris Whiteoak / The National

In 2018, a fireworks show in Ras Al Khaimah was choreographed to seven chapters and set to global music by 14 renowned composers. Photo: Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority

Ras Al Khaimah and Al Marjan Island ushered in 2018 by setting the Guinness World Record for the ‘largest aerial firework shell’. Photo: Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority

Ras Al Khaimah put on a record-breaking fireworks display on New Year's Eve in 2019. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Fireworks display at the Yas Waterfront, Abu Dhabi, in honour of Saudi Arabia’s 91st National Day on September 23. 2021. Victor Besa / The National

More New Year’s Eve fireworks at the Abu Dhabi Corniche Breakwater. Victor Besa for The National

There are always fireworks to mark the Formula Grand Prix finale in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

People enjoying the fireworks on Abu Dhabi Corniche to celebrate the 41st UAE National Day in 2012. Ravindranath K / The National

Abu Dhabi will attempt to break three Guinness World Records as part of Sheikh Zayed Festival's New Year's Eve celebrations, said state news agency Wam.

The 40-minute fireworks display will attempt to set records for volume, duration and form.

The festival organising committee has also lined up a series of folkloric and entertainment events and performances for the night.

A giant drone show that will light up the skies of Al Wathba will also take place. "This will be the first show of its kind and magnitude in the world," said Wam.

Emirati singer Eida Al Menhali, known as the "voice of the UAE", will perform on the night, as well as Iraqi artist Ali Saber.

There will be plenty of entertainment for children, including theatre shows and circus performances, plus games at Funfair City and more activities at Al Forsan International Sports Resort, running from 4pm to 1am.

Visitors can expect carnival performances, art and cultural shows and roaming entertainment, too, as well as folkloric arts and crafts, traditional songs and dance, including Emirati heritage demonstrations.

Record-breaking fireworks in Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah is also setting out to make sure the new year gets off to a spectacular start.

The emirate’s organising committee for the night is gearing up for another Guinness World Record-breaking fireworks display, which will feature pyrodrones, lights, colours and shapes.

The 12-minute pyrotechnic spectacle, which will cover a 4.7-kilometre area along the waterfront between Al Marjan Island and Al Hamra Village, will aim to break not one but two world records.

The first attempt will be for the Most Remote Operated Multirotors / Drones Launching Fireworks Simultaneously and the second attempt is for the Highest Altitude Multirotor / Drone Firework Display.

Watch last year's record-breaking display here:

This year's will feature 15,000 fireworks effects that have taken 5,000 hours of work, plus more than 130 sea pontoons and a fleet of hundreds of pyrotechnic drones.

The fireworks have been designed at European factories and handcrafted over the last few months. The display will be accompanied by orchestral and modern music.

Gates will open at 4pm for the fireworks display.

Family-friendly activities and events around the display are being planned, plus children’s play areas and food and beverage outlets.

To mark the beginning of 2021, Ras Al Khaimah dazzled guests with a 10-minute fireworks show that won the Guinness World Records titles for most unmanned aerial vehicles for launching fireworks simultaneously, and the longest fireworks waterfall.