As the final hours of 2025 approach, the sprawling grounds of Al Wathba’s Sheikh Zayed Festival transform into a meticulously coordinated operations center. Behind the upcoming 62-minute continuous fireworks spectacle lies an intricate fusion of cutting-edge technology, cultural heritage, and military-grade precision that has required months of intensive preparation.
According to festival organizing committee member Mohammed Al Marzooqi, planning for this New Year’s Eve extravaganza begins long before December. Multiple specialized teams work in parallel coordination to deliver one of the festival’s most anticipated highlights. The production involves seamless integration between pyrotechnics experts, drone operators, safety personnel, and logistics coordinators to ensure both visual magnificence and visitor security.
The technical scale of the operation is staggering: thousands of fireworks shells, extensive electronic ignition networks, and strategically positioned launch platforms will create optimal visibility while maintaining stringent safety protocols. Complementing the pyrotechnics, approximately 6,500 drones equipped with advanced lighting technology will form intricate three-dimensional formations overhead, all synchronized to create a cohesive visual narrative.
Each element carries deliberate symbolic meaning. Color schemes reflect the UAE flag, while sequences are carefully choreographed to Emirati music blending traditional and contemporary elements. The show’s thematic journey draws inspiration from desert landscapes, pearl diving history, and the unity of the seven emirates, with intentionally placed pauses allowing moments of reflection.
Hundreds of professionals including engineers, technicians, and emergency response teams contribute to the preparations, all connected through a central control room enabling real-time monitoring. Backup power and communication systems provide redundancy to ensure uninterrupted performance. In the weeks preceding the event, nighttime rehearsals conducted after public hours fine-tune timing, sequencing, and weather adaptation strategies.
In the final hour before midnight, secured launch zones undergo ultimate safety verification. Every detail undergoes final review—from communication channel checks to weather reassessment—with all teams operating on minute-by-minute schedules. Once initiated, pre-programmed sequences run with continuous monitoring, allowing immediate intervention if necessary. As the final fireworks fade and applause echoes across Al Wathba, crews will already commence equipment dismantling, looking ahead to future celebrations.