Guinness Book of World Records declares world’s largest “Happy New Year 2023” sign

When we say New Year Eve or Happy New Year spectacle, what comes to your mind? The amazing display of fireworks in Australia’s Sydney or the Times Square Ball Drop in New York City, USA? Well, both are unique and wonderful in their own ways.  

But this year, it was the “Happy New Year 2023” greeting that was exhibited in UAE over the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Centre that stole the show. Why? Because it was the world’s largest ever “Happy New Year” sign, which is why it secured a place in the revered Guinness Book of World Records.  

The UAE skyscraper ushered in the brand-new year in a celebratory fashion with 670 drones lighting up the midnight sky for 12 minutes straight, accompanied by awestrucking pyro-musical explosions that reached as high as 1100 metres and covered a horizon of 4.7 kilometres right above the Ras Al Khaimah beach. Interestingly, the drones had kaleidoscopic blend of colours offered by nano lights and choreographed to electric beats. The spectacle with jaw-dropping live performances and larger-than-life fireworks were recognised by the Guinness Book as “largest airborne phrase made by multirotor or drones.”  

However, you will be fascinated to learn that not only did this show create a new record but also smashed two previous world records. The first was for the greatest number of drones launched simultaneously which was 600 plus as opposed to the earlier 458. The next was the biggest aerial sentence ever formed by drones during a festival.  

After a 12-minute-long spectacle, the “Happy New Year 2023” wish that signalled new and happy beginnings was converted into the Emirate’s iconic “RAKashida” logo as a tribute to the city Ras Al Khaimah and its unique blend of desert, sea and mountain. The goal was to attract hundreds and thousands of tourists throughout 2023 and put Ras Al Khaimah on the must-visit destination map of globe trotters. More than 30000 visitors were a witness to this spectacle.  

Interestingly, Dubai’s historical tower Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world also lit up to welcome 2023 with laser and firework shows.  

For those unaware, Ras Al Khaimah is a new age travel and business hub and is the largest city and capital of one of the seven emirates of UAE. The city is divided by a creek into two parts: the old town in the west and Al Nakheel in the east. The name Ras Al Khaimah literally translates to “the headland of the tent.” It got its name right after a gigantic tent was erected in the middle of the city to help further navigation. It is most famous for being the site of the world’s longest zipline.