Al-Zawraa park to host Baghdad’s all-night New Year celebration with 30-meter tree

BAGHDAD — Baghdad is set to host an all-night New Year celebration at Al-Zawraa Park, featuring performances by Iraqi and Arab artists beneath the tallest adorned tree for this year in the country, standing at 30 meters. The tree is one of 14 installed across different areas of the capital, including those on Al-Mutanabbi Street and Abu Nuwas Street.

“We decided to provide more spaces for celebration, designating 14 municipalities, each with its own tree. The tallest tree this year stands at 30 meters in Al-Zawraa Park,” Mohammed Al-Rubaie, Media Director of Baghdad Municipality, told 964media.

The cleaning shifts have been divided into four rounds: dawn, morning, afternoon, and evening. The Council of Ministers has also approved the temporary hiring of cleaning workers to meet the increased demand during the festive period.

Al-Rubaie added that the municipality plans to raise an even taller tree next year, reaching 50 meters, which would set a new record for Baghdad.

“In 2015, we were facing the challenges of terrorism, and today we celebrate with the same spirit of resilience by sharing this occasion with our Christian brothers, who have faced immense hardships, especially in areas like the Nineveh Plains,” Al-Rubaie added, referring to the atrocities committed by Islamic State militants against Christians after 2014, including forced displacement, destruction of churches, and targeted violence,

He also revealed that at the beginning of 2025, specifically on January 15, Baghdad will host the launch of the ‘Baghdad: Capital of Arab Tourism’ festivities, attended by Arab ambassadors, Arab tourism ministers, tourism officials,  highlighting Baghdad’s status as an important tourism destination.

The Arab Tourism Organization announced on Dec. 10 that Baghdad has been selected as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2025, following its fulfillment of criteria aimed at showcasing its tourism potential and infrastructure.

Ali Araibi, the engineer supervising Al-Zawraa Park, mentioned that new activities have been added inside the park and that a New Year’s Eve celebration is planned, with details to be announced soon through social media platforms.

“This celebration will feature performances by Iraqi and Arab artists, and we hope it will be a happy year for all Iraqis,” he stated.