News DeskDubai, UAE – The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) welcomed 2026 with large-scale New Year celebrations organised specially for the emirate’s workforce, reaffirming its commitment to community wellbeing and inclusivity.
Held over two days in collaboration with the Dubai Permanent Committee for Labour Affairs, the celebrations reflected the spirit of the UAE’s Year of Community initiative and brought together tens of thousands of workers from across Dubai.
The main venue at Al Quoz was transformed into a vibrant cultural hub, featuring live concerts, international dance performances and traditional folk art from multiple countries. Bollywood stars Zareen Khan, Poonam Pandey, Aneri Vajani and Tanya Desai graced the stage, while singers Sneha Upadhyay and Ankush Bhardwaj delivered energetic musical performances. DJ Tasya Stepanova further electrified the atmosphere with her live set on New Year’s Eve.
More than 20,000 workers from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and several African nations attended the main celebration, which began at 6pm on December 31 and continued until midnight. Additional festivities were organised at labour accommodations in Jebel Ali and Muhaisnah, with total participation — including online engagement — exceeding 50,000, according to GDRFA Dubai.
A major highlight of the celebrations was a lucky draw with prizes worth over Dh500,000, including cars, gold bars, gold coins, mobile phones and travel tickets. To ensure wider participation, workers who could not attend in person joined through the Blue Connect application and live-streaming platforms, enabling them to take part in the programmes and prize draws remotely.
Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA Dubai, said the celebrations represent respect and appreciation for the workforce that has played a vital role in Dubai’s development. He noted that this marked the third consecutive year of organising large-scale New Year celebrations for workers across the emirate.
Free registration was provided for all participants, while comprehensive security and logistical arrangements were implemented in coordination with Dubai Police, Civil Defense, Ambulance teams, Dubai Municipality and volunteers.
Officials said the initiative reflects Dubai’s strong humanitarian values and its ongoing efforts to foster happiness, unity and community spirit among its diverse workforce as the emirate steps confidently into the New Year.
