From top entertainment and foodie finds to how to secure a free ticket, here’s everything you need to know about the world’s greatest show.
There’s a sense of excitement in the air and it’s all thanks to Expo 2020 Dubai. A novel celebration of human achievement and ingenuity, the world is coming together in Dubai for a show like no other from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022.
What is Expo 2020?
Expo 2020 Dubai is a World Expo, officially known as International Registered Exhibitions. These exhibitions have been taking place for centuries, ever since the first World Expo took place in London back in 1851. All World Expos are focused on presenting solutions to various challenges, and the global global gatherings have become an important platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration between governments, companies and people.
The Expo 2020 Dubai is a groundbreaking edition – not only is it the first World Expo to take place in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, but it’s also the first to be held after the coronavirus pandemic took hold. Dubai led the way from the start, having reopened to tourists in July 2020, and ensuring the highest standards of health and safety for every visitor.
With the overarching theme of Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, Expo 2020 Dubai is an incubator for new ideas around the world, while the sub-themes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability inspire us all to protect the planet, explore new frontiers and build a brighter future.
See the best of the world
There’s so much to experience at Expo 2020 Dubai, and thankfully there’s 182 days to take it all in.
Start by exploring 190+ Country Pavilions – each dedicated to the best of a nation. Highlights include the UAE Pavilion, conceptualised by Santiago Calatrava, that resembles a falcon taking flight and showcases Emirati culture.
Elsewhere, there’s a forest inspired by the fusion of Scandinavian woodlands and Arabic geometric design at the Sweden Pavilion, interactive content that brings tales from Down Under to life at the Australia Pavilion, kinetic flocks of birds that float above visitor heads at the Poland Pavilion, and so much more.
There’s plenty of innovative technology on display, so visit Expo 2020’s website to see what each Country Pavilion has to offer.
Foodie guide to Expo 2020
A dining destination in its own right, there’s more than 200 culinary experiences to try at the world fair. Whether you’re looking for menus from award-winning chefs, homegrown restaurants serving up seasonal specials, food truck treats or authentic flavours from every nation, you’ll find it all at Expo 2020 Dubai.
Don’t miss the African Dining Hall, Alkebulan – a culinary concept by renowned chef Alexander Smalls that honours the tradition and heritage of the continent. At the hall, you can try street food from West Africa, barbecued meats with Zanzibar and Kenyan spices, and Tunisian baharat chicken.
Every Country Pavilion is filled with delectable treats too, from the finest Swiss chocolate at the Switzerland Pavilion to freshly-prepared Belgian waffles at the Belgian Pavilion, it’s all here.
Some of the world’s most talked-about restaurants, such as Beirut’s Baron and London’s Bread Ahead Bakery, are also making their Dubai debut at the Expo, while plant-based restaurants such as Veg’d by Matthew Kenny bring tons of flavour to the Sustainability Pavilion. There’s also themed experiences such as the ‘Future of Food’ by multi-sensory studio Bompas & Parr, and meals cooked and served by robots in Talabat kitchen.
Find out more about dining at Expo 2020 in their comprehensive dining directory.
Top entertainment and events
Visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai enjoy a front-row seat to around 60 events every single day. If you’re short on time, head straight to Al Wasl Plaza – the must-visit stage of live entertainment, where 360-degree projection, sound and lighting present an unmissable, immersive experience every evening.
You’ll also want to check out Expo Beats, a monthly festival that connects the world through fusion melodies, as well as Late Nights, which features thrilling concerts every weekend across diverse genres. Meanwhile, Jalsat blends the best of Emirati culture and the international ethos of Expo for never-heard-before harmonies.
There’s also great roaming acts, talented street performers, family-friendly theatrical shows and special occasion gala concerts, so it’s wise to plan ahead. Check out the full calendar of events.
The best of Expo for kids
Visitors of all ages can enjoy thrilling exhibits and experiences across Expo 2020 Dubai, with an underlying theme of protecting our precious planet and making great new discoveries.
Families can head to Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion where there’s a dedicated Children’s Zone complete with a waterfall and educational fun. For example, little ones can explore dense forests to see how roots communicate with each other, play a pinball game that sees the future of the planet in their hands, and meet Gnasher, a giant ‘fish’ that represents wasteful consumption.
Al Wasl Plaza is another can’t-miss stop for family entertainment, including mascot shows that feature loveable duo, Rashid and Latifa. A highlight is Salama’s Secrets, where the siblings battle Mr. Scrap to find Salama’s secrets and restore the beauty of our planet – expect brilliant theatrics, songs and plenty of live audience interaction. At Al Forsan Park, there’s more cultural and themed delights, including Latifa’s Adventures in Space City where kids can bounce over nets in a ‘zero-gravity’ chamber and hop aboard a replica of the UAE’s Hope Probe.
Expo 2020 tickets and timings
No matter your budget, there’s an Expo ticket to match. Options start from just AED95 for a one-day single-entry ticket and go up to AED495 for an all-access season pass. Best of all? There’s free, unlimited entry for senior citizens aged over 60 years, children under the age of 17, people of determination and even students.
Book your tickets online today and remember to check with your airline or hotel to see if they offer special deals. For example, Emirates passengers receive a complimentary Expo Day Pass for every ticket booked with the airline, while all guests staying at Address Hotels and Resorts also get a free Expo 2020 ticket.
Expo 2020 Dubai is open every day of the week – 10am until midnight (Saturday to Wednesday) and 10am to 2am (Thursday and Friday).
Travelling to and from Expo 2020
Spanning 4.38sqkm, Expo 2020 Dubai is located near Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South. It’s accessible via road transport and has its own dedicated metro station, which can accommodate up to 44,000 passengers every hour.
In addition to plentiful taxis and e-hailing options, public bus routes and parking spaces for private cars, Expo visitors can ride for free onboard 350 Expo Rider buses with convenient stations at Dubai International Airport, The Dubai Mall, Palm Jumeirah and other key locations across Dubai and the UAE. Ask your hotel concierge for the nearest stop.
Once at the Expo 2020 Dubai site, there’s also a free shuttle bus service that follows a route along the venue’s perimeter, so you’re never far from all that Expo has to offer. You can also see what’s on, map your journey and manage all your reservations by downloading the official Expo 2020 Dubai mobile app.
