World's Highest Fireworks at Burj Khalifa Welcome New Year

DUBAI, UAE, December 31, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Dubai welcomed the New Year with an unprecedented spectacle - the world's highest fireworks at Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building by Emaar Properties.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20101231/429514 )

The 828 metres (2,716.5 ft) high Burj Khalifa was the centre of attention for a global audience as it marked New Year's Eve with a spectacular environment-friendly and satellite-guided laser-lights-fireworks show, telecast live to over 2 billion people.

Close to half a million people witnessed the New Year's Eve Gala from Burj Park, an island set on The Burj Lake opposite Burj Khalifa, and from other vantage points across Downtown Dubai.

The celebration also marked the first anniversary of the grand inauguration of Burj Khalifa, and enveloped Downtown Dubai, the 500-acre mega development anchored by the tower. The community was a sea of humanity, as people arrived to witness the spectacle several hours in advance. The four-act show was synchronized through satellite signals to and from a control station.

Described as 'The Centre of Now,' for its diverse showcase of high-end lifestyle destinations including malls, hotels, homes and offices, Downtown Dubai offered a stunning spectacle with lights and fog effects. The Dubai Fountain, the world's tallest performing fountain overlooking Burj Khalifa, hosted a special fire-water-music show.

Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties, said: "The New Year's Eve Gala at Burj Khalifa has positioned Dubai as the must-visit destination to celebrate new beginnings. The show was one of the finest spectacles anywhere in the world, and that in the coming years, Dubai will be the place visitors from across the world will choose to celebrate the New Year."

Visitors were also entertained with the after-party held at At the Top, Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest observation deck with an outdoor terrace - most recently voted as 'Best Tourist Attraction at the Best in Dubai' event

A fully-established community with world-class homes, commercial space and the world's first Armani Hotel Dubai, Burj Khalifa is now 'A Living Wonder.' It anchors Downtown Dubai, the most definitive lifestyle development in the city, which also features two malls - The Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping and entertainment destination, and Souk Al Bahar.

SOURCE Emaar Properties