Though Thursday is not a public holiday, banks and other financial institutions in Qatar will remain closed on New Year’s Day, a Qatar Central Bank representative has confirmed to Doha News.

However, bank employees will still be reporting to work to conduct the annual closing of accounts.

The reason that Jan. 1, 2015 will be a work day for most people is that Qatar does not officially celebrate the new year, and there are no fireworks or big public events planned for Wednesday night.

However, several things are going on around town – mostly at hotels, but also at beaches and other venues – for those looking to ring in the New Year with company.

Check out our guide for more information here.

For those planning to stay home, Dubai is going to be live-streaming its fireworks show from Burj Khalifa.

Keep in mind that the emirate is one hour ahead of us, so the spectacle should begin around 11pm our time on Dec. 31.

What are your plans? Thoughts?