Enjoy a spectacular projection show from "the beating heart of Expo", in celebration of Bahrain's National Day.

Celebrating Bahrain

Al Wasl Projection (general)

Inside Expo_New

Architecture II: Al Wasl Plaza

Exhibitor logo

EXHIBITOR Magazine's World Expo Awards

EXHIBITOR Magazine Announces World Expo Award Winners

Al Wasl Plaza

Al Wasl 

Notice the Expo logo at the centre of Al Wasl Plaza's oculus.

Al Wasl Dome 3

Experience a towering structure under which the Leaning Tower of Pisa could fit.

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Al Wasl Plaza Images

The Opening Ceremony: A Story of Hope

Expo 2020 Dubai, the first Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region in the 170 years of World Expo history, opened with a celebration of global togetherness and optimism. Spectacular storytelling, performances, fireworks, and immersive projections on the dome of Al Wasl, the heart of Expo 2020, all told a story of collaboration and hope for the future, echoing Expo 2020 Dubai's theme of "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future". Global artists joining in the celebration included Andrea Bocelli, Ellie Goulding, Lang Lang and Mohammed Abdu.

Description 

General view of Al Wasl Plaza 

The first World Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, Expo 2020 opened with a celebration of global connection and hope for the future.

Jaw-dropping immersive projections beginning with the fiery birth of our planet.

A celebration of the majesty of nature, both underwater and on land.

Incredible local and international performers.

Image Gallery

Expo 2020 Dubai Opening Ceremony

Long ago, travellers referred to Dubai as Al Wasl, or “the connection” – a name that reflects the area’s heritage as a meeting point. This spirit of coming together takes shape in Al Wasl Plaza, Expo 2020’s spectacular centrepiece and gathering ground for celebration and wonder. 

Situated at the meeting point of Expo’s three thematic districts, Al Wasl Plaza's dome is tall enough to fit the Leaning Tower of Pisa beneath it. By night, she transforms into a 360-degree projection screen, blanketed by more than 250 state-of-the-art projectors. Al Wasl Plaza is a hub for visitors and the vibrant heart of our Expo.

UAE flag

Daily performances, national day ceremonies and more

Al Wasl Dome Projections

Immersive 360-degree domed projection screen

Al Wasl exterior

Lush garden spaces for relaxation and connection

Al Wasl features

Al Wasl Logo-01

Al Wasl Plaza 360

Al Wasl Plaza is 130 metres in diameter and more than 67 metres tall. Delicate-looking despite its titanic scale, her pattern is inspired by our Expo's logo, which is fully visible at the oculus.

and magical

Extraordinary

The life force of the Expo 2020 site, Al Wasl Plaza proudly carries the old name of Dubai.

The beating heart of Expo 2020

A series of immersive 360° videos of Al Wasl's projection shows that put you centre stage for each stunning performance. 

DUBAI, 12 October 2021. Underwater Harmony performance at Al Wasl, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Christopher Pike/Expo 2020 Dubai)


Underwater Harmony performance at Al Wasl

Al Wasl Plaza 360° Immersive Experiences

The Beating Heart of Expo 2020

The Beating Heart of Expo

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Join us in celebrating Bahrain's National Day at Expo 2020

Bahrain Logo

When you live somewhere as densely populated as Bahrain, finding social harmony means learning to fit together, intertwining different cultures and faiths. This is the igniting idea behind the Bahrain Pavilion, which explores density through the imaginative lens of weaving. With a modern design punctuated by hundreds of needle-like silver columns, the pavilion showcases Bahraini weaving’s history through live demonstrations and exhibits. Explore traditional textile crafts, experiment with futuristic woven carbon fibre and sample flavours from Bahraini chefs. Participate in the fun yourself through stations featuring looms and palm weaving.


A colossal box with thin, lightweight metal skin mysteriously covered with small slits and silver rods towers over visitors at the Bahrain Pavilion. 

structural system 

Thin and light 

Bahrain Pavilion

Bahrain National Day

Sleek & Steely

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Bahrain Carousel

Bahrain

The Bahrain Pavilion creates images of weaving needles and the density of a traditionally woven fabric.

Bahrain Pavilion Interior

Bahrain Bespoke Projection Tribute: Al Wasl Plaza

Come and enjoy the the music of the amazing Angeline Quinto. The Filipino star was a winner of Star Power and has 6 platinum albums to her name. It will be an incredible night!

Angeline Quinto

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Watch and enjoy the music of the amazing Angeline Quinto.

The ultimate Exposonix band hits the main stages at Expo 2020, bringing you a selection of music, from best-loved classics and chart hits from the 1970s, right up to today’s trending artists. Rock the night away, and sing along to your favourite tunes in the heart of Expo 2020 away for this special UAE 50th anniversary performance.


Exposonix

The ultimate 16-piece Exposonix band hits the main stages at Expo 2020 playing classic hits through the ages. 


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With a striking design inspired by fossilised sand dunes, Jubilee Stage is an open-air festival stage. Located in Jubilee Park, it hosts performances and large concerts.

Jubilee Stage

Eposonix

exposonix

Join us in celebrating the UAE 50th National Day at Expo 2020

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UAE 50th National Day

Exposonix: Special UAE 50th National Day performance

CNNLogo

See CNN anchor learn traditional Irish dance from iconic group

The National

'Riverdance' set to reel in visitors at Expo 2020 Dubai

From Seville to Dubai, Riverdance comes full circle at Expo

Time Out Abu Dhabi

See incredible Irish dance show, Riverdance, at Expo 2020 Dubai

Gulf Today

Irish Riverdance steals the show at Expo 2020 Dubai

Visit the Ireland Pavilion and learn the Riverdance basics at The Riverdance Summer School at Expo 2020 Dubai! Your points convert to Seeds of Change which you can pledge to the cause of your choice. Enjoy watching the show and create a Facebook or Twitch account to join the chat and earn points! Photosensitivity warning: some locations in Live@Expo broadcasts may feature bright flashing lights that may affect photosensitive viewers.

 Ep 20: Riverdance and Ireland Pavilion

Riverdance L@E

We visit the Ireland Pavilion and learn to Riverdance with the best of the Riverdance Summer School!

Visit the Ireland Pavilion and learn to Riverdance!

We taste delicious kunafa and wash it down with a strong cup of Turkish coffee at Feras Hanoun Sweets!

Use your Facebook, YouTube, Tik Tok or Twitch account to join the chat and earn points!

Interactive, chat-driven tour co-curated by you, the audience.

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Newgrange monument in Ireland is a staggering feat of Stone Age engineering, allowing sunlight into its inner chamber only once each year: at sunrise on the winter solstice. The Ireland Pavilion highlights more than 5,000 years of Irish heritage and know-how with a design inspired by this cultural treasure. Curated around the theme of “Thinking Ireland”, the pavilion’s exhibits trace the long lineage of Irish innovation, from ancient stone-working feats to modern-day advancements in science and technology. Don’t miss the exhibition’s innovative light-filtering cone, built in homage to its 5,200-year-old ancestor at Newgrange.

Ireland Flag

Blending neo-classical architecture with ancient themes, the Ireland Pavilion consists of two single-story buildings surrounded by a screen of white columns and topped by a massive ridged funnel structure. The bronze-coloured main building, called the Oculus, is rectangular in form and features inscribed Celtic designs.

ancient heritage

Inspired by

Ireland Pavilion

Live@Expo Ep 20: Riverdance and Ireland Pavilion

Welcome to an interactive live tour where you and a community of virtual visitors from around the world control where the guide goes and what you see! Earn points and top the leaderboard, win badges and reveal treasures. Your points convert to Seeds of Change which you can pledge to the cause of your choice.

Live@Expo

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Join a new virtual tour of the Expo! You control where the guide goes as they explore Expo 2020.

Bahrain Bespoke Projection Tribute: Al Wasl Plaza

Celebrating Bahrain

Participants

Image Gallery

Bahrain National Day.