Dubai New Year’s Eve 2026 road closures

Several key roads across Dubai will be temporarily closed on New Year’s Eve 2026 to manage traffic and ensure public safety during celebrations. Authorities will implement phased closures, diversions, and access restrictions near major landmarks, event zones, and fireworks locations. Residents and visitors are advised to plan travel in advance, use public transport where possible, and follow official traffic updates to avoid delays and ensure a smooth start to the new year.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has rolled out a citywide mobility plan designed to keep New Year’s Eve 2026 moving smoothly, combining strategic road closures with longer public transport hours.

As celebrations return to major hotspots, authorities have confirmed that several important roads will be temporarily shut to manage crowds and reduce traffic pressure. The approach focuses on preventing bottlenecks during peak hours while prioritising safety around event zones.

A carefully phased closure strategy will be implemented in Downtown Dubai, with restrictions beginning in the late afternoon and tightening as midnight approaches. From early evening, several surrounding streets will close, followed by additional shutdowns later at night, culminating in a partial closure of Sheikh Zayed Road just before the New Year countdown.

Motorists are being encouraged to plan journeys well in advance and switch to public transport wherever possible to avoid delays and last-minute diversions.

Traffic restrictions will also be enforced in Jumeirah Beach Residence, where selected streets will transform into pedestrian-only zones from 4pm on December 31. Access points around Al Marsa Street, Al Naseem Street and near Cayan Tower will be restricted, while taxis will continue to operate along King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street. During the busiest midnight window, e-hail services and limousines will be temporarily barred from this stretch, and access to Bluewaters Island will be managed based on real-time traffic conditions.

Beyond roads, authorities have activated a dedicated marine traffic plan to regulate boat movement during one of the year’s busiest waterfront nights, ensuring safety and smooth navigation across Dubai’s waterways.

Public transport services will also run longer to support the influx of revellers. Both Red and Green Metro lines will operate from early morning on December 31 through to just before midnight, resuming immediately after midnight and continuing until late on January 1. Dubai Tram services will follow a similar extended schedule, running into the early hours of New Year’s Day to help residents and visitors get home with ease.

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Source: AB‍