Dubai rang in the New Year with a powerful message of gratitude and humanity as the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) dedicated a grand celebration to the city’s workers. While the world’s attention was fixed on the spectacular fireworks at the Burj Khalifa, Dubai chose to spotlight the thousands of laborers whose hard work has helped build the city.
Held at Al Quoz, the New Year event brought together more than 20,000 workers from different nationalities, transforming the area into a sea of celebration and unity. For many participants, it was not just a festive gathering, but an emotional experience that helped them momentarily forget the fatigue of work and the distance from their homes and families.
The venue came alive with music, lights and performances by popular Bollywood personalities including Zareen Khan, Poonam Pandey, Aneri Vajani and Tanya Desai. Singers Sneha Upadhyay and Ankush Bhardwaj, along with DJ Tashya, kept the crowd energized, as workers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Africa and Sri Lanka danced together, crossing borders through shared joy.
One of the most awaited moments of the night was the grand raffle draw. Prizes worth over AED 500,000 (more than INR 11 million) were distributed, including cars, gold bars and mobile phones. Many winners were visibly moved, with tears of happiness reflecting a sense of recognition for their hard work.
To ensure inclusivity, workers who could not attend in person were able to participate through the “Blue Connect” app and live streaming. According to GDRFA, nearly 50,000 people joined the celebrations both physically and online.
This marks the third consecutive year that GDRFA has organized such a large-scale New Year celebration for workers. Officials stated that the event was a small token of appreciation for the immense contributions workers make to Dubai’s growth. As the workers returned to their camps with gifts, smiles and renewed hope, Dubai once again showcased its commitment to compassion and inclusivity on the first night of 2026.
