House music lovers can ring in 2022 with rhythmic tunes from one of Germany's leading DJs, Topic. Catch him spinning his set as part of Expo 2020's New Year's Eve energetic music lineup. Live from Al Wasl Plaza.

DJ Topic

Rhythmic tunes from one of Germany's leading DJs, Topic. Catch him spinning his set as part of Expo 2020's New Year's Eve music lineup. 

Inside Expo_New

Architecture II: Al Wasl Plaza

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Al Wasl Plaza

Al Wasl 

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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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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DJ Topic performs during the New Year’s Eve celebrations at Al Wasl m29287

Celebrate New Year’s Eve and welcome in 2022 alongside 192 countries at Expo 2020 Dubai! Experience a unique New Year’s Eve with curated programming and special events, including an impressive drone countdown, two spectacular firework shows and an eclectic events calendar filled with immersive and musical performances. 

New Year's Eve @ Expo

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Ring in the new year with special events and performances at Expo 2020 Dubai.

New Year's Eve @ Expo 

In this Chat Plays episode, we visit a few island nations - Antigua and Barbuda, Vanuatu and Barbados - and explore their culture, sustainable practices, and what makes them unique. The audience even voted for Amani to taste hot sauce! 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. Enjoy watching the show! Photosensitivity warning: Some areas in Live@Expo broadcasts may feature bright flashing effects that may affect photosensitive viewers.

Ep 3: Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados and Vanuatu Pavilions

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We visit the pavilions of some beautiful island nations present at Expo 2020 - Antigua and Barbuda, Vanuatu and Barbados. Enjoy watching the show and create a Twitch account to join the chat and earn points!

See beautiful national costumes made of madras fabrics in Antigua and Barbuda.

Learn about the 145 languages spoken across the 83 pristine islands of Vanuatu.

Learn how the world's first search engine, Archie, was created in Barbados.

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

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Antigua and Barbuda Image Gallery

Take a sensory holiday to the Caribbean islands at the Antigua and Barbuda Pavilion, which surrounds visitors with an augmented reality vision of their trademark pink and white sand beaches and lush, bird-filled nature preserve. The islands enjoys a reputation as a beacon of sustainability, having banned plastic bags and polystyrene foam. On Antigua, a “Green Corridor” of environmentally friendly hotels, resorts and businesses stretches along the southwest coast. Meanwhile, Barbuda has the largest breeding and nesting colony of magnificent frigate birds in the world.  

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Antigua and Barbuda Pavilion

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Vanuatu Image Gallery

This island archipelago is a place of remarkable contrasts: from bountiful underwater life to smoking, active volcanoes and stunning beaches. Visit the Vanuatu Pavilion to meet its proud, friendly people, explore its wealth of outdoor adventures and marvel at an abundance of wildlife that includes giant coconut crabs, dugongs and flying foxes. Plus, get an inside look at the country’s many investment opportunities.


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Vanuatu Pavilion

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Once a farming powerhouse known for sugar production, sunny Barbados has come to Expo 2020 to showcase its impressive journey into digital innovation under the theme "Innovation and Transformation: From Sugar Cane to Blockchain”. 

At the Barbados Pavilion, you’ll hop on board an inventive bus-themed tour of the island’s history and culture, drawing on the vibrant look of its vintage open buses. Follow the road through a buzzing grid of immersive exhibits, making stops to learn about sugar cane production, see the sights of the Caribbean, and explore new Barbadian technologies.


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Barbados Pavilion

Live@Expo Ep 3: Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados and Vanuatu Pavilions

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

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

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In celebration of Expo 2020 Dubai's closing, see three legendary Filipino acts light up Festival Garden. In this segment, the rock band Imago take the stage. Imago have won numerous awards for their alternative records and performed for fans around the world. In this special concert, they perform some of their best-loved tunes for an unforgettable night of music and a grand finale to remember!

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Filipino stars Imago bring Festival Garden to life in celebration of Expo 2020 Dubai's last day.

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Imago 

As the curtain comes down on Expo 2020 Dubai and we prepare to look to the future, on Thursday, 31 March say goodbye to six historic months with a number of spectacular events, activations and performances.  See global music icons, enjoy dazzling fireworks, and enjoy exciting performances unfold beneath the stunning Al Wasl Dome.

Celebrate Expo 2020 Dubai's Grand Finale 

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Spectacular performances, shows and activations to celebrate the end of Expo 2020 Dubai. 

Expo 2020 Dubai's Grand Finale 

Whether you’re a beginner or fancy a challenge, you can train with Maeve Madden in celebration of St Patrick's Day at Expo 2020 Dubai. Former professional dancer, best-selling author and personal trainer, Maeve Madden has been improving women's health and body confidence for over a decade. The fun extends to family members of all ages to join this one-off outdoor, free fitness class that is sure to draw crowds. 

Maeve Madden Fitness Session

Ireland - Meave Madden

Whether you’re a beginner or fancy a challenge, you can train with Maeve Madden in celebration of St Patrick's Day at Expo 2020 Dubai.

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Visitors take part in the Maeve Madden Fitness Session & World Record Attempt at Expo Sports Arena & Festival Garden m64483

Visitors take part in the Maeve Madden Fitness Session & World Record Attempt at Expo Sports Arena & Festival Garden m64486

Visitors take part in the Maeve Madden Fitness Session & World Record Attempt at Expo Sports Arena & Festival Garden m64489

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

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Ireland National Day

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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.

DJ Topic

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New Year's Eve @ Expo .