How do the Burj Khalifa light shows and flag displays work?
Burj Khalifa shows images, messages and national flags on an LED screen across its facade, first switched on for New Year 2018, according to SkyriseCities. Guinness World Records lists it as the largest LED-illuminated facade, at 44,956.77 square meters, set on 1 January 2019. Shows mark New Year, national days and campaigns.
Key facts
- LED facade
- Unveiled for New Year 2018 (SkyriseCities)
- Size, Emaar figure
- 32,467 m2 with about 70,000 LED lights (Emaar via WAM, 2018)
- Size, Guinness record
- 44,956.77 m2, on 1 January 2019
- Installer
- SACO Technologies (SkyriseCities, 2019)
- Typical shows
- New Year, UAE Flag Day, other countries' national days, campaigns
How big is the LED screen on Burj Khalifa?
Two figures are published. Emaar, quoted by WAM in 2018, gave 32,467 square meters with about 70,000 LED lights. Guinness World Records lists 44,956.77 square meters for its record set at New Year 2019. The gap is unexplained; neither source comments on it. SkyriseCities reports the screen runs 770 m up the tower.
Which occasions are shown on the tower?
Published examples include New Year shows with the Dubai Fountain, UAE Flag Day (Gulf Today, 3 November 2020), national days of other countries, film promotions and brand campaigns (The National, 2021). The tower was also lit in UAE flag colors in April 2026, reported by Khaleej Times (12 April 2026, read as a search summary). Emaar and the Dubai Media Office announce the larger shows.
Can residents see the light shows from their apartments?
We found no source on this. The screen is on the outside of the tower, on its east side according to SkyriseCities. A resident quoted by Gulf News described New Year fireworks from the 71st floor as small flutters near the building.
Common questions
When are the Burj Khalifa light shows?
Shows mark New Year, UAE national days, other countries' national days and campaigns. Emaar and the Dubai Media Office announce them; no fixed public schedule was found.
How many LEDs are on Burj Khalifa?
Emaar figures reported by WAM in 2018 give about 70,000 LED lights across 32,467 square meters. Guinness lists a larger lit area of 44,956.77 square meters.
Sources
- SkyriseCities, "Massive media facade on Burj Khalifa celebrates one year anniversary", 16 January 2019
- Gulf News (WAM), "Burj Khalifa LED show to continue until January 9" (page updated 16 September 2018)
- Guinness World Records, "Largest LED-illuminated facade", read on 9 October 2026
- Gulf News, "Revealed: all you need to know about New Year's Eve at Dubai's Burj Khalifa", updated 22 December 2022
- Gulf Today, "Burj Khalifa marks UAE Flag Day", 3 November 2020
- The National, Burj Khalifa light shows gallery, 25 June 2021
- Khaleej Times, Dubai skyline glows in UAE flag colours, 12 April 2026 (read as a search summary)
- Gulf News, "How Burj Khalifa residents will watch the fireworks" (about New Year 2013)
- Emaar Properties press release on the Burj Khalifa laser and light show, read on 9 October 2026
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