Burj Khalifa fireworks display draws 1.7 million revellers

Highlights from the 2013 New Year's Eve show at Burj Khalifa, Dubai.

A whopping 1.7 million people turned out to ring in the New Year at Dubai's Burj Khalifa, organisers said on Wednesday.

The Downtown Dubai New Year's Eve Gala featured a spectacular 'Water, Fire and Light' show, capped with a stunning fireworks display off the world's tallest building.

The show was broadcast live to 1,000 global television channels and was livestreamed on YouTube as well Downtown Dubai's official website, reaching an estimated 2 billion people.

"The event underlines the positive vision that Dubai upholds by serving as a beacon of hope for people and highlighting the happiness and robust outlook that the city brings," Mohammed Abbar, chairman of Emaar Properties, said in a statement.

Huge crowds had gathered at the venue to take in the pyrotechnic extravaganza from early evening on December 31.

The massive turnout caused traffic jams around the Dubai Mall and Emaar Boulevard area.  According to reports, up to 500,000 people used the Dubai Metro, which was operating 24 hours on the night.

See stunning photos from the night: