NYE 2026 in Dubai: Sheikh Zayed Road, Burj Khalifa metro station to close; timings revealed
Dubai authorities have announced a comprehensive traffic management operational plan for the New Year’s Eve celebrations at Burj Khalifa, with all major roads leading to the iconic tower closing progressively throughout the evening of December 31, 2025. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has urged residents and visitors to plan their journeys accordingly and arrive at their destinations early before closures commence.Phased road closures begin at 4pmThe traffic management plan will be implemented in stages, with the first phase commencing at 4pm on December 31. During this initial period, authorities will gradually close the following arterial roads:Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.Al Asayel StreetSheikh Mohammed bin Rashid BoulevardBurj Khalifa StreetLower Financial Centre StreetAl Mustaqbal Street (between Financial Centre intersection and Commercial Centre Street)These closures will be implemented gradually to facilitate the safe movement of traffic away from the celebration zone.Evening closures As the evening progresses, additional road segments will be closed according to the following schedule:8pm - Al Sukook Street will be closed to traffic.9pm- Upper Financial Centre Street will be sealed off.11pm- Sheikh Zayed Road will begin gradual closure between Al Maidaan intersection and Commercial Centre roundabout, marking a critical phase in the traffic management strategy.Metro station operations, closures The Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station will be closed to entry from 5pm onwards, or earlier if the station reaches its maximum passenger capacity. The authority has advised the public to utilize the nearest alternative metro stations to access the celebrations.To accommodate the expected surge in public transportation demand, the RTA will operate the Red and Green Metro lines continuously for 43 hours, commencing at 5am on Wednesday (December 31) and continuing until 12am on Friday (January 2, 2026).Dubai Tram service The tram service will also operate continuously from 6am on Wednesday (December 31), through 1am on Friday (January 2, 2026) with a total of 43 hours of uninterrupted service.Metro stations with parking facilitiesFor those using public transportation, the following metro stations offer adequate parking facilities:Centrepoint Statione& StationNational Paints Station (Jebel Ali) Jumeirah Golf Estates StationPassengers are advised to verify their Nol card balance before commencing their journey.Pedestrian bridge and elevator closuresAll pedestrian bridges and elevators spanning Dubai Creek will be closed from 4pm onwards to facilitate traffic flow and ensure public safety during the celebrations.Alternative parking solutionsFor those preferring to drive with their own vehicle, authorities have designated alternative parking facilities with complimentary shuttle bus services operated by the RTA:Primary alternative parking locations:Al Wasl Club ParkingAl Alkifaf ParkingShuttle buses will operate continuously between these parking facilities and the celebration venue at no charge.Early arrival parking in Emaar zonesResidents and visitors are encouraged to arrive early and park their vehicles in the Emaar area, which offers more than 20 thousand parking spaces distributed across:Dubai Mall ParkingZabeel Dubai Mall ParkingPointview ParkingParking beneath the BoulevardRestrictions in surrounding areasParking and stopping is prohibited on the following streets in both directions:Al Khail StreetSheikh Zayed RoadDubai Eye StreetOud Metha StreetAdditionally, parking is forbidden on all major arterial roads surrounding the celebration venue.Post-event transportation servicesTo ensure smooth evacuation of the celebration zone immediately following the fireworks display, the RTA will deploy dedicated shuttle bus services. These complimentary buses will transport attendees to:Metro stationsTaxi standsPrivate vehicle parking facilitiesDesignated taxi stands: Two primary taxi collection points have been established at Al Wasl Club Parking and Al Kifaf Parking, accessible via complimentary shuttle bus services.Early departure optionFor those who prefer not to remain in the Burj Khalifa celebration zone during peak hours, complimentary shuttle buses will operate from 4pm to 8pm from the Swissôtel Al Murooj Dubai, transporting passengers to Al Wasl Club Parking and Al Kifaf Parking for onward travel.
Dubai authorities have announced a comprehensive traffic management operational plan for the New Year’s Eve celebrations at Burj Khalifa, with all major roads leading to the iconic tower closing progressively throughout the evening of December 31, 2025.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has urged residents and visitors to plan their journeys accordingly and arrive at their destinations early before closures commence.
Phased road closures begin at 4pm
The traffic management plan will be implemented in stages, with the first phase commencing at 4pm on December 31. During this initial period, authorities will gradually close the following arterial roads:
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Al Asayel Street
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard
Burj Khalifa Street
Lower Financial Centre Street
Al Mustaqbal Street (between Financial Centre intersection and Commercial Centre Street)
These closures will be implemented gradually to facilitate the safe movement of traffic away from the celebration zone.
Evening closures
As the evening progresses, additional road segments will be closed according to the following schedule:
8pm - Al Sukook Street will be closed to traffic.
9pm- Upper Financial Centre Street will be sealed off.
11pm- Sheikh Zayed Road will begin gradual closure between Al Maidaan intersection and Commercial Centre roundabout, marking a critical phase in the traffic management strategy.
Metro station operations, closures
The Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station will be closed to entry from 5pm onwards, or earlier if the station reaches its maximum passenger capacity. The authority has advised the public to utilize the nearest alternative metro stations to access the celebrations.
To accommodate the expected surge in public transportation demand, the RTA will operate the Red and Green Metro lines continuously for 43 hours, commencing at 5am on Wednesday (December 31) and continuing until 12am on Friday (January 2, 2026).
Dubai Tram service
The tram service will also operate continuously from 6am on Wednesday (December 31), through 1am on Friday (January 2, 2026) with a total of 43 hours of uninterrupted service.
Metro stations with parking facilities
For those using public transportation, the following metro stations offer adequate parking facilities:
Centrepoint Station
e& Station
National Paints Station (Jebel Ali) Jumeirah Golf Estates Station
Passengers are advised to verify their Nol card balance before commencing their journey.
Pedestrian bridge and elevator closures
All pedestrian bridges and elevators spanning Dubai Creek will be closed from 4pm onwards to facilitate traffic flow and ensure public safety during the celebrations.
Alternative parking solutions
For those preferring to drive with their own vehicle, authorities have designated alternative parking facilities with complimentary shuttle bus services operated by the RTA:
Primary alternative parking locations:
Al Wasl Club Parking
Al Alkifaf Parking
Shuttle buses will operate continuously between these parking facilities and the celebration venue at no charge.
Early arrival parking in Emaar zones
Residents and visitors are encouraged to arrive early and park their vehicles in the Emaar area, which offers more than 20 thousand parking spaces distributed across:
Dubai Mall Parking
Zabeel Dubai Mall Parking
Pointview Parking
Parking beneath the Boulevard
Restrictions in surrounding areas
Parking and stopping is prohibited on the following streets in both directions:
Al Khail Street
Sheikh Zayed Road
Dubai Eye Street
Oud Metha Street
Additionally, parking is forbidden on all major arterial roads surrounding the celebration venue.
Post-event transportation services
To ensure smooth evacuation of the celebration zone immediately following the fireworks display, the RTA will deploy dedicated shuttle bus services. These complimentary buses will transport attendees to:
Metro stations
Taxi stands
Private vehicle parking facilities
Designated taxi stands: Two primary taxi collection points have been established at Al Wasl Club Parking and Al Kifaf Parking, accessible via complimentary shuttle bus services.
Early departure option
For those who prefer not to remain in the Burj Khalifa celebration zone during peak hours, complimentary shuttle buses will operate from 4pm to 8pm from the Swissôtel Al Murooj Dubai, transporting passengers to Al Wasl Club Parking and Al Kifaf Parking for onward travel.
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