Ras Al Khaimah Welcomes 2026 with Record-Breaking Drone and Fireworks Show

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah ushered in 2026 with a spectacular 15-minute drone and fireworks display, setting a new Guinness World Record for “The Largest Phoenix Image Created by Multirotors/Drones”. The phoenix served as the central symbol of the celebration, representing optimism and rebirth, reflecting the emirate’s ongoing transformation and its ambition to reshape the future.

A total of 2,300 drones participated in the show, including 1,000 pyro-drones that illuminated the wings of the phoenix as it soared above the waterfront. Another large-scale figure — “Welcome” — depicted a person emerging from the sea with open arms, symbolizing the emirate’s hospitality and openness to both residents and visitors.

At the stroke of midnight, following the drone spectacle, fireworks were launched along a six-kilometer stretch from Al Marjan Island to the Al Hamra area. Hundreds of synchronized bursts lit up the sky in perfectly coordinated waves of light and color, turning the shoreline into a breathtaking panorama. Thousands of spectators watched the event from beachfront hotels, the festival grounds featuring a concert program, and the Al Qawasim Corniche, where an earlier fireworks show had also taken place.

Phillipa Harrison, Head of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, noted that the event aimed to unite residents and guests, adding that the Guinness World Record is only part of its significance. The true value, she said, lies in the emotions and memories shared by those who welcomed the New Year in the emirate. According to her, 2025 was a year of substantial progress, and the New Year’s Eve celebration was dedicated to honoring achievements and greeting the future with optimism.

The new record adds to Ras Al Khaimah’s growing list of accomplishments, reinforcing its status as one of the world’s leading destinations for innovative, large-scale, and memorable New Year celebrations.