There are destinations that promise opulence. And then there is Atlantis, The Palm—a shimmering fantasy sculpted in coral and sand on the crescent of Dubai’s iconic Palm Jumeirah. In a city that redefines luxury at every turn, Atlantis reigns as its crown jewel, a dazzling convergence of imagination, architectural mastery, and unrivalled hospitality. Here, fantasy becomes reality, and indulgence knows no limits.
Now, as 2025 draws to a glittering close, Atlantis, The Palm is preparing to deliver its most mesmerising celebration yet—ushering in 2026 with the iconic New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner headlined by none other than Maroon 5, the multi-platinum, GRAMMY® Award-winning band that has defined the soundscape of a generation.
Following the unforgettable performances of Sting in 2023 and Lionel Richie in 2024, Atlantis continues its tradition of delivering star-studded New Year’s spectacles, and this year’s ‘Winter Wonderland’-themed gala promises an evening so enchanting it could be mistaken for a fever dream. Under the velvety desert sky, Maroon 5 will light up the night with a performance that spans decades of chart-topping hits including, “Moves Like Jagger”, “This Love”, and “She Will Be Loved”, each note reverberating against the spectacular backdrop of Atlantis and the shimmering waters of the Gulf.
But this isn’t just a concert, it’s a full-blown theatrical experience. A 30-piece live band, roving entertainers, and immersive performances unfold across a custom-built deck with panoramic views of Palm Island and the glittering Dubai skyline. The atmosphere? Spellbinding. The dress code? Black-tie elegance meets haute couture, as guests gather to toast to the year ahead in style.
Paul Baker, President of Atlantis at Kerzner International, encapsulates the magic best: “With Maroon 5 joining the ranks of past headliners, we look forward to delivering yet another spectacular evening for our guests as we ring in 2026 in true Atlantis style.”
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Dubai celebration without a feast to match the fireworks. Atlantis, The Palm’s gala dinner is a culinary tour de force, with live cooking stations, lavish buffets, and tables groaning under the weight of decadent delicacies, from lobster and caviar to sushi and foie gras. Petit fours arrive like edible jewels, and handcrafted desserts dazzle with flavour and finesse. Champagne flows endlessly with every guest receiving a seat at a banquet that rivals the palaces of ancient kings and queens.
For the elite of the elite, the newly enhanced VIP Sky Suites offer a realm apart, 22 elevated sanctuaries with private butlers, exclusive menus curated by the resort’s most celebrated chefs, and a privileged view of the performance and fireworks. This is no ordinary ticket, it’s an invitation to the stratosphere of luxury. Starting from AED 200,000 for 10 guests, this is where the global jet set and A-listers toast the new year.
Meanwhile, the Golden Circle offers front-row seating with an experience to match: unlimited premium Champagne, a caviar box with personalised truffle service, and a glittering selection of upgraded wines and spirits. For those wishing to dance the night away in dazzling proximity to the stage, Rouge Circle seats start from AED 8,500.
Children are not just welcome, they’re enchanted. The Asateer Tent is transformed into a magical winter world, with a giant slide, outdoor cinema, bouncy castles, arts and crafts, and whimsical wonders.
Yet Atlantis is not only about New Year’s Eve. It is a year-round sanctuary of superlatives—a kingdom where couples honeymoon in underwater suites, families make memories in the world’s largest open-air marine habitat, and discerning travellers discover indulgence at every turn.
Spread across a sweeping 22.5‑hectare expanse, Aquaventure World is a grand water odyssey. It is not merely the largest waterpark in the world, it is an audacious celebration of thrill, scale, and spectacle. With over 105 record-breaking slides and attractions, this aquatic wonderland invites the bold to leap from towering heights, spiral through glass tubes surrounded by sharks, and race through twisting tunnels carved into monumental structures.
Iconic rides like the Leap of Faith, a near-vertical drop through a transparent tunnel, and the dual Challenger slides, where velocity becomes competition, are set against a cinematic backdrop of ancient temples, stone towers, and lush jungle motifs. Further afield, wild river rapids, wave surges, and gravity-defying slides like Boomerango and AquaLoop deliver unrelenting adrenaline with a touch of theatrical drama.
Yet beyond the roar of water and the screams of delight lies an oasis of calm: winding rivers edged with flowering foliage, still lagoons shaded by tropical palms, and the pristine stretch of Aquaventure Beach, a private 700-metre shoreline where golden sands melt into the turquoise embrace of the Arabian Gulf.
Here, plush cabanas offer refuge, the horizon flickers with sunlight, and dolphins may occasionally be seen cresting the surf. Whether you crave pulse-quickening adventure or sublime serenity, Aquaventure at Atlantis, The Palm is a world apart, a place where wild imagination meets flawless execution, and where every splash is a symphony of luxury, nature, and design.
There is Dolphin Bay and Sea Lion Point, offering gentle, transformative encounters with some of the ocean’s most intelligent and graceful inhabitants, all within ethically designed and conservation-led environments.
And then, there is the culinary landscape, 35 extraordinary restaurants, from Michelin-lauded elegance to the legendary names of Gordon Ramsay, Nobu Matsuhisa, and Björn Frantzén. Dine in Ossiano, the one-Michelin-starred undersea fantasy where golden scallops and saffron-infused sauces are served beneath the gaze of manta rays. Or enter FZN, the three-Michelin-starred temple of Nordic-Japanese gastronomy, where each dish is a conversation between cultures and seasons.
At the glittering intersection of Scandinavian precision and Dubai’s unapologetic decadence lies Studio Frantzén, a sensory masterpiece by Michelin-starred chef Björn Frantzén, nestled within the grandeur of Atlantis, The Palm. A space where flickering candlelight meets moss-toned terrazzo, where every dish is a composition, every course a crescendo.
Designed by the visionary minds at Bishop Design, the restaurant is an ode to quiet Nordic luxury: wood-panelled intimacy, sculptural lighting, copper accents, and the kind of moody elegance that invites both romance and reverence. At its entrance, a stylised bear, Björn’s namesake, ushers guests into a lounge that pulses with curated Nordic cocktails and restrained glamour.
The menu is an alchemic blend of French, Nordic, and Japanese influences. There are oysters with seaweed oil and aged cheese; Hamachi crudo ignited with ume kosho; grilled rock lobster luxuriating in coriander curry. From the fireplace, arrives turbot with anchovy, caviar, and dill, a dish that whispers Stockholm but sings Dubai. Yet, Studio Frantzén is also playful. A Candy Room invites guests to select handcrafted confections, chocolates, and patisserie like children let loose in a dream.
With a 20-seat chef’s counter, an intimate private dining room, and floor-to-ceiling windows that glance out across the Gulf, Studio Frantzén offers an immersive journey for those who seek cuisine that stirs the soul and design that heightens the senses. This is Atlantis at its most refined, a haute Nordic reverie in the heart of the desert.
Beyond gastronomy and adrenaline, Atlantis, The Palm is a shopping mecca, a nightlife destination, and a retreat for the soul. Its boutiques offer rare perfumes, fine jewellery, and couture fashion curated for the global elite. By night, destinations like Wavehouse and En Fuego offer live music, dancing, and a joyful abandon that only Dubai can perfect.
But above all, Atlantis is a place of wonder. It’s where children believe in mermaids, where adults rediscover the thrill of escape, and where every view, be it the turquoise sea from a suite’s balcony or the fireworks bursting above the arch of Atlantis The Royal is an invitation to dream bigger.
On Wednesday 31st December 2025, the world will once again look to Dubai for a New Year’s Eve celebration like no other. And nowhere will the glamour burn brighter than at Atlantis, The Palm. With Maroon 5 at centre stage, Champagne flowing like fountains, and the spirit of a city that never stops reaching for the stars, this is not just a party, it is the epitome of what it means to celebrate life in style.
For those ready to welcome 2026 in a world that fuses myth, music, and magnificence, Atlantis awaits you.
atlantis.com/atlantis-the-palm
Crescent Rd, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
