Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi residents welcomed the New Year with fireworks display, concerts, and laser shows as the capital ushered 2018 in style.

Various events were held across city including the debut performance of international pop star Katy Perry in Abu Dhabi, with her fans dancing the night away to some of her most popular songs at the du Arena.

Elsewhere around the capital, concerts also featured regional A-list Arab singers including the UAE’s very own Hussain Al Jassmi, who performed at the New Year’s Eve Countdown Village on the Corniche Breakwater, and well-known Iraqi singer Kadim Al Sahi, who performed at another concert on Al Maryah Island.

The main spectacle of the night was the fireworks shows that followed when midnight struck. Families gathered all around the Corniche to watch the special 15-minute show that lit up the clear night sky. The fireworks display on the corniche was just was one of many that took place, with fireworks shows also taking place on Yas Island, Al Maryah Island, and at Shaikh Zayed Heritage Festival — showing once again, that nobody does it like the UAE when it comes to New Year’s Eve fireworks displays.

Mohammad Arafah, from India, was out with friends to enjoy the firework show on the Corniche.

“I came with my friends to watch the fireworks show and to celebrate the New Year. Abu Dhabi always makes very nice fireworks shows when New Year comes, so it’s very exciting and fun to watch. The shows are always different and it’s a nice experience to watch it along with my friends,” he told Gulf News.

Chloé Ramamonjisoa, from France, was also out enjoying New Year celebrations with her friends.

“We had a nice dinner and then we’d be off to party at a club afterwards. It was all planned last minute really. It’s quite expensive on New Year so we had to do decide what to do, and in the end we planned something simple.”

For Raghad Elassi, from Palestine, it’s best to celebrate the New Year at home with the entire extended family.

“New Year celebrations for me is a nice family affair,” she said. “We had my sister’s and uncle’s family over to the house. We had dinner and followed the New Year events that were happening on television. It’s great to have the whole family together. These are occasions when we make sure everyone is present and can see one another. It’s a happy occasion.”