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A NEW Year is beginning all over the world – but some countries are more concerned with the records to be broken on New Year’s Eve.
China went all out with its show, but once again the UAE was dominant – with a mind-blowing drone display and non-stop fireworks.
The magic in Shanghai at the Baoshan International Cruise Port stunned audiences with its images of cultural symbols and Chinese text illuminating the sky.
Countless drones flew into the air and hovered for several moments at a time, and even appeared to move whilst lit up.
The sheer number of drones also allowed for interesting dimensions to be given to the showcase.
It transformed the experience into a 3D spectacular, which helped to flesh out the myths in the sky and make them feel even more real.
The show also featured a barrage of colour and spectacle, as the port’s backdrop allowed for a wide open space for several fireworks to be lit up at once.
As the drones shone brightly in the night, it provided audiences with both a celebration of the year that was ending and the new one that was just getting started.
Several awe-struck commenters from all over the world took to YouTube to react.
They shared how impressed they were with the display put on in the city.
One person wrote: “Leave it to the Chinese! Spectacular, original, and dynamic!
“No one comes close, including New York where I’m from!“
Another amazed person said: “Most artistic, aesthetic of all firework shows…Congratulations Shanghai from an Australian.“
A third commented: “It’s kinda amazing how they fly and coordinate so many drones.“
The full Shanghai show already has over 500,000 views after less than a day.
EMIRATE’S EXTRAVAGANZA
The emirate’s New Year’s Eve programme was called “Our Story in the Sky“, displaying a series of cultural symbols that tell the emirate’s story.
Organisers said more than 100,000 residents and visitors gathered to watch the show.
Fireworks from over 60 locations across all seven Emirates, more than 10,000 drones, and multiple world records are lighting up the first few minutes of New Year 2025 in the UAE.
These coordinated shows took place at multiple amazing venues, including the famous Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
Ras Al Khaimah, the capital of the Emirate, set two new Guinness World Records with its drones and fireworks display.
The first was for the largest aerial display of a tree formed by drones and the second was the largest aerial image of a seashell formed by drones.
The emirate staged a heritage-themed show to ring in 2025, combining traditional fireworks with 3D drone artistry that stretched across 5km of the Ras Al Khaimah waterfront.
Raki Phillips, chief executive at Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said: “Securing two Guinness World Records titles with such a spectacular and meaningful display reflects the innovative spirit and cultural pride that define our emirate.“
Phil Grucci, chief executive of American company Grucci, which helps create the emirate’s New Year’s Eve fireworks, said: “It feels great to be back to Ras Al Khaimah.
“It is actually one of the best stages we have to perform on.”
The emirate has always been a big contender when it comes to New Year’s Eve world records.
In 2024, it clinched records for the longest chain of aquatic floating fireworks, spanning 5.8km.
They also took home the record for the longest straight-line drone display with a total length of 2km.
In Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba drew large crowds with its 53-minute non-stop fireworks display.
This was 13 minutes longer than its display last year when the venue broke four world records in terms of duration, quantity and design.
