Dubai will welcome Najwa Karam and Wael Kfoury on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at Festival Arena, InterContinental Dubai Festival City, with doors opening at 7:30 PM and the show starting at 9:30 PM. Festival Arena’s address is Al Badia Blvd, Dubai Festival City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. For venue and event space enquiries, Festival Arena lists +971 4 701 1111, and a direct contact number +971 50 635 1372, plus imeet@ihg.com for event coordination. Tickets are required.
What this New Year concert night feels like
This is the kind of New Year’s Eve concert designed for people who want live Arabic pop and a big arena atmosphere rather than a nightclub countdown. Because it sits inside Dubai Festival City, the evening usually blends a polished hotel crowd with concert energy, especially as midnight approaches. Also, the later start time keeps the focus on the show itself, so many guests plan dinner first, then arrive for doors. If you want a calmer entry, you can treat the first hour after doors as your settling window before the arena fills. Expect a busy New Year’s Eve crowd. (suitable for couples, suitable for solo, family friendly for older kids, not ideal for very young children)
Najwa Karam and Wael Kfoury on one stage
Najwa Karam is often described as a powerhouse voice with a catalogue that spans classic hits and modern Lebanese pop. Meanwhile, Wael Kfoury is known for his romantic ballads and a stage presence that leans into singalong moments. Because they share the same bill on New Year’s Eve, the night typically shifts between high emotion and celebratory pacing rather than a single mood. Also, the concert format at Festival Arena usually supports strong sound and clear sightlines, so vocals tend to sit front and centre. If you love Arabic music traditions with modern production, this pairing usually lands well. Arrive ready for a full concert experience, not background music.
Doors at 7:30 PM show at 9:30 PM
Doors open at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and the show is scheduled to start at 9:30 PM, so you have a generous window to enter without rushing. However, if you arrive closer to 9:00 PM, queues can move slower because security checks tighten near showtime. Also, early entry gives you time to locate your section, grab refreshments, and settle without missing the opening moments. If you prefer minimal waiting, a practical sweet spot is arriving between 7:45 PM and 8:30 PM. Late arrivals risk missing the start.
Ticket prices and where to buy safely
Ticket prices have been listed from approximately AED 550, while higher tiers usually depend on seat location and category. Because New Year’s Eve inventory can tighten quickly, you should assume availability and pricing may change right up to event day. The most reliable place to purchase is PLATINUMLIST, since it is the primary ticketing route shown for this concert listing. If you are buying for a group, it helps to decide your budget first, then choose the best available block rather than chasing perfect seats. Treat all prices as approximately until checkout is confirmed.
Getting to Dubai Festival City without stress
Dubai Festival City is easiest to reach by car or taxi, and most drivers recognise InterContinental Dubai Festival City and Festival Arena by name. Also, if you are coming from Downtown or Business Bay, it is often quicker than crossing into Dubai Marina areas on New Year’s Eve. If you plan to arrive after 8:30 PM, leave extra time because traffic can thicken on the approaches to busy malls and hotels. A simple plan is to reach Festival City earlier, have dinner, then walk over to the arena area closer to doors. Traffic builds fast in the last two hours before showtime.
Parking and drop off planning at Festival City
Dubai Festival City typically offers large parking areas, yet New Year’s Eve can still create bottlenecks at entrances and exits. If you drive, arriving earlier gives you more choice and less circling, especially if multiple events and diners share the same access roads. Also, if you are using a drop off, choose a clear meeting point for pickup after the show, because the immediate frontage can become congested. If you want the smoothest exit, consider walking a few minutes away from the busiest curbside before ordering a car. Parking capacity is limited at peak times.
Public transport and practical alternatives
Public transport can help you avoid parking uncertainty, although you should still expect crowd pressure across the city on New Year’s Eve. A common approach is taking the Metro to a nearby station on the Green Line corridor, then completing the last stretch by taxi, especially if you want predictable arrival timing. Meanwhile, buses do serve Dubai Festival City, so that can work earlier in the evening when roads are less restricted. If you rely on taxis, ordering earlier is usually easier than trying to secure a car right after the show. Have a backup plan for your return trip.
Coming from Abu Dhabi and Sharjah on concert night
From Abu Dhabi, the safest option is leaving in the afternoon, reaching Dubai before evening congestion, and then staying near Dubai Festival City until the concert begins. From Sharjah, leaving early matters even more, because cross city traffic can build quickly and the final stretch into busy districts slows down. Also, if you intend to drive back after midnight, plan for a slower return and consider sharing driving duties if possible. If your schedule allows, booking a nearby hotel can reduce fatigue and make the night more comfortable. Build buffer time for inter Emirate travel.
What to wear and what to bring inside
Dubai’s late December nights can feel comfortably cool, so light layers work well, especially if you will be outdoors before entering. Also, arenas typically run strong air conditioning, so a thin jacket can make a long show more pleasant. Bring your original ID, your ticket confirmation, and a charged phone, because entry checks and seat finding are smoother when everything is ready. If you carry a bag, keep it compact so security checks stay quick. Keep your ID and ticket details easily accessible.
WARNINGS AND TIPS CLOSING PARAGRAPH
On Wednesday, December 31, 2025, Dubai is expected to feel sunny in the day and clear at night, roughly 25°C at midday and around 19 to 22°C in the evening, so dress light but carry a thin layer. Also, because New Year’s Eve traffic can surge from about 6:30 PM onward, arriving before 8:30 PM helps you avoid the worst queues and parking delays. If you plan to use public transport, pair the Metro with a short taxi ride and avoid last minute pickup requests right at the venue frontage. Ticket prices can change and should be treated as approximately, and the most reliable place to buy tickets is PLATINUMLIST. Go early, keep your return plan simple, and do not count on late entry being smooth. Practical planning like this is often shaped by the city-smart event habits shared by the editor of www.few.ae.
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