The Burj Khalifa became famous for New Year's Eve fireworks at its 2010 inauguration in Dubai.
The tower officially opened on January 4, 2010, in a ceremony that included a large fireworks and light display. At 828 meters, it was presented as the world's tallest building, giving Dubai's New Year's celebrations a highly visible landmark and an international broadcast image.
Subsequent New Year's Eve displays used the tower's exterior as a giant visual surface, combining fireworks, lighting, and later multimedia effects. These events are often described simply as the Burj Khalifa fireworks, although the full celebration involves the surrounding Downtown Dubai district as well.
The building was originally known as Burj Dubai during construction. It was renamed Burj Khalifa at the opening ceremony in honor of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, then president of the United Arab Emirates.