Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has confirmed free public parking on Thursday, January 1, 2026, giving residents a small but welcome New Year bonus. The exemption applies to all public parking zones, except multi-storey parking facilities and Al Khail Gate (N-365). Regular parking fees will resume on Friday, January 2.

Alongside free parking, the RTA has released a full breakdown of transport and service timings for the New Year holiday, urging residents and visitors to plan and rely on public transport where possible.

Dubai Metro and Tram timings

To manage heavy holiday crowds, Dubai Metro services on both the Red and Green Lines will run non-stop for nearly 43 hours. Trains will operate continuously from 5am on Wednesday, December 31, until 11.59pm on Thursday, January 1.

The Dubai Tram will also extend its operating hours, running from 6am on December 31 through to 1am on Friday, January 2, making it easier for commuters and revellers to move around popular areas.

Bus services and intercity routes

Dubai bus schedules will vary during the holiday, and passengers are advised to check the S’hail app for real-time updates.

For those travelling between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, there are important changes:

• Route E100 (Al Ghubaiba–Abu Dhabi) will be suspended from the afternoon of December 31 until January 4, 2026
• The last trip will depart at 12 noon from Abu Dhabi and 2pm from Al Ghubaiba
• Passengers should instead use Route E101 from Ibn Battuta Bus Station
• Route E102 will continue operating from Ibn Battuta from 2pm on December 31 until the end of the day

RTA services and testing centres

All Customer Happiness Centres and vehicle testing centres will be closed on January 1, reopening on January 2. However, Smart Customer Happiness Centres at Al Barsha, Al Twar, Al Kifaf and RTA headquarters will remain open 24/7.

Marine transport

Timings for abras, ferries and water taxis will be available on the RTA website, with services adjusted to meet New Year demand.

With free parking, extended metro hours and special bus arrangements in place, the RTA is encouraging everyone to plan and enjoy a smooth start to 2026.

Dubai is adding another major global sporting milestone to its calendar. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that the 2026 FIFA Best Awards will be held in the emirate, with the announcement made during his appearance at the World Sports Summit currently taking place in Dubai.

Infantino revealed the news while delivering a keynote titled ‘The Next 90 Minutes: Charting the On-Pitch Evolution of Football’, where he outlined FIFA’s future vision for the global game and spotlighted Dubai as the next host city for one of football’s most prestigious nights.

What are the FIFA Best Awards?

The FIFA Best Awards are among the highest honours in world football, recognising standout performances across men’s and women’s football. Categories include Best Player, Best Coach, and Best Team, with winners decided through a global voting system involving fans, journalists, national team captains and coaches.

The most recent edition took place in Doha, Qatar, where Ousmane Dembélé walked away with the Best Player award after a sensational season with Paris Saint-Germain that ended in a historic treble.

A star-packed week in Dubai

The announcement comes as Dubai hosts the two-day World Sports Summit at Madinat Jumeirah, bringing together some of the biggest names in global sport.

Monday’s lineup featured icons such as Novak Djokovic, Ronaldo Nazário, Manny Pacquiao, and heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Tuesday raises the bar even higher with football royalty including Alessandro Del Piero, Roberto Baggio, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol, Fabio Cannavaro, and World Cup-winning coach Didier Deschamps. MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov is also among the headline names.

The summit is also shining a spotlight on women in sport, with speakers including Ons Jabeur, former NBA player Tamika Tremaglio, and Danita Johnson, president of D United.

Why this matters for Dubai

Landing the 2026 FIFA Best Awards further cements Dubai’s status as a global sports hub, adding yet another elite international ceremony to its growing list of major events. From football and tennis to combat sports and motorsport, Dubai continues to position itself at the centre of the global sporting conversation.

And in 2026, football’s biggest stars will be heading to the emirate — not for a match, but for the game’s most glamorous night of the year.

Dubai motorists, take note, if you’re planning to drive along Jumeirah Street on Tuesday, December 2 afternoon, you might want to leave a little earlier than usual. The city is getting ready for the much-anticipated Al Etihad Parade, and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has issued a heads-up about delays.

According to the RTA, the stretch between Union House and the Burj Al Arab is expected to get busy from 4pm to 5.30pm on December 2. While there won’t be a full closure, the area will see slower traffic as preparations and parade activities get underway.

“Plan your trips in advance and follow the traffic signs to ensure a smooth journey,” the RTA posted on X (formerly Twitter), urging drivers to stay alert and consider using alternate routes during the 90-minute disruption.

This advisory comes as the UAE gears up for its 54th National Day, with similar traffic alerts already issued in Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman and other Emirates organising parades and celebrations. If you’re commuting, running errands, or heading out with family, it’s best to factor in extra time.

The good news? Once the traffic eases, the city’s celebrations are set to light up the skies, with fireworks, shows and cultural events lined up across the Emirate