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Tue, Jan 20, 2026 | Shaban 1, 1447 | Fajr 05:45 | DXB 
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Watch: Woman leads orchestra suspended mid-air in jaw-dropping Burj Khalifa NYE feat
While many would assume that presenting such a show requires months of preparation in advance, Yasmina said she only arrived in Dubai ten days ago
Minutes before the New Year’s Eve 2026 countdown at the Burj Khalifa, a breathtaking performance took place — a female music conductor ascended slowly in the sky above the Dubai Fountain while leading an orchestra stationed below her.
This brave woman was Yasmina Sabah, a Lebanese music conductor who who is not new to Dubai as she conducted Firdaus Orchestra during Expo 2020, and continues to be a guest conductor for selected performances. She has also led the Choeur de l'USJ in Lebanon.
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In a video shared on her Instagram page featuring the performance on NYE, Yasmina appears in a brilliant red dress that was thoughtfully picked to show the audience how high up she went in the night sky. The dress also featured a long train to further stress the sheer height.
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As she went up into the sky, Yasmina continued to wave her arms to lead the musicians while the Burj was lit in golden luminations. While she was hung mid-air, the countdown to the new year began, and the world-famous fireworks show started.
In a recent interview with Lebanese newspaper Annahar, Yasmina recounts how she was picked for such a bold feat. "A couple of months ago, I received an email asking me: Can you lead an orchestra while you're flying! I did not know how to answer such a question, but I said ok. I did not think a lot about the matter."
"A couple of weeks later, I got an email that I was chosen to lead the biggest New Year's Eve show worldwide, at Burj Khalifa by Emaar," she added.
While many would assume that presenting a show like this one on such a big night when all eyes are on Burj Khalifa required months of preparation in advance, Yasmina said she only arrived in Dubai ten days ago.
"We had a lot of training, but it was an amazing experience that gathered artists from all around the world, and it was a wonderful production"
When asked how she felt about being there by the Burj right before the moment everyone was waiting for, she said, "It was a very good feeling that I was able to fly right before the countdown, and we could bid farewell to 2025 and represent Lebanon in Dubai as we welcome 2026."
For those who could not watch the show on NYE, Yasmina said that she will repeat her dazzling ascent every day by Burj Khalifa until January 7. The performance will also be broadcast on YouTube.
The following video features a part of the show. Take a look:
Yasmin Hussein
Yasmin Hussein is an Assistant Digital Editor who believes that every news story carries a human element. Her motto is 'get it first, but first get it right'.
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