Stargazing, oud music and Tanoura dance – Mleiha National Park to ring in 2026 with ‘New Year Under the Stars’

  Mleiha National Park, the unparalleled desert heritage and adventure destination in Sharjah invites families, friends, and explorers to ring in the New Year beneath starlit skies with the ‘New Year Under the Stars’ experience.

A night-to-dawn celebration from 6pm on December 31, 2025, to 8am on January 1, 2026, ‘New Year Under the Stars’ ushers in 2026 with a desert countdown, guided stargazing, live performances, and warm Arabian hospitality, underlining a rare blend of astronomy, heritage and music for an unforgettable start to the year in a stunning setting. 

Set against the UNESCO-listed Faya Paleolandscape, the experience offers a full overnight camping package with comfortable tents, sleeping bags, and air mattresses provided. Guests will enjoy welcome mini bites, a special New Year buffet dinner, and a continental breakfast, all curated to reflect the region’s warmth and hospitality. 

"We are proud to invite all to celebrate the New Year in a desert setting that is both majestic and deeply connected to Arabia’s story,” said Omar Jasim Al Ali, Manager of Mleiha & Strategic Projects. "At Mleiha, history, nature, and adventure converge in one destination like no other. Our innovative experience brings people together to gaze at remarkably clear skies, experience live music and cultural performances, and create lasting memories with family and friends.” 

In a night of stargazing and performance, visitors can use guided telescopes to reveal planets and deep-sky objects during a dedicated stargazing hour led by Mleiha’s astronomy team. Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy live oud music, a captivating Tanoura dance performance, and a fire show countdown welcoming 2026. A sparkler moment will add a festive burst of light to the desert night. 

From 6.30pm to 10pm, open stations will invite guests to immerse themselves in Mleiha’s culture and landscape. Visitors can enjoy traditional henna art by expert artists, take short guided camel rides ideal for families and first-time explorers, and discover real Mleiha fossils at the Fossil Station through hands-on activities led by the education team, including the chance to create a fossil replica. A soft archery challenge will offer a safe, engaging activity suitable for all ages. 

From 10pm to 12am, guests will gather for a buffet dinner featuring Arabic and international dishes. Live oud music will set the mood from 10pm to 11.30pm, followed by a Tanoura performance from 11.30pm to 11.50pm and a fire dance countdown at 11.55pm. 

On January 1, 2026, guests will greet the new year with a sunrise in nature, coffee, and a continental breakfast from 7am, followed by check-out at 8m. 

Optional add-ons are available with advance booking and include a one-hour Sunset Safari (SUV) through the Mleiha landscape and the Sand Surfer Experience, which pairs a dune drive with sand surfing. 

The Overnight Camping experience runs from 6pm to 8am and is priced at Dhs550 per adult (11+ years) and Dhs390 per child (5-10 years), with children under five admitted free of charge. Dinner & breakfast is included within the adult & child price, but not included for children under 5 entering for free.. Capacity is limited, and advance booking is recommended. 

To reserve, visit discovershurooq.ae, call +971 6 802 1111, or email [email protected]. 

Mleiha National Park, situated within the Core Zone of the UNESCO-recognized Faya Paleolandscape, is one of the UAE’s premier desert heritage and adventure destinations, serving as a model of conservation and sustainable tourism. Just over an hour from both Sharjah and Dubai, it offers archaeological sites, desert ecosystems, immersive cultural and nature-based experiences, and astronomy programmes, all set within a serene natural landscape.