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

Exhibitor logo

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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.

Al Wasl 4

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

DJ Topic performs during the New Year’s Eve celebrations at Al Wasl m29268

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 

Upcoming Bollywood action drama movie RRR is set to take the box offices by storm. See cast members Jr NTR, Ram Charan, Alia Bhatt and SS Rajamouli live on the Jubilee Stage at Expo 2020 Dubai and find out more about this upcoming hit! 

RRR Cast Special Appearance 

RRR Cast Appearance

See the stars of upcoming action drama movie RRR in person on the Jubilee Stage! 

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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

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The cast of RRR appear at Jubilee Stage m65021

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The cast of RRR appear at Jubilee Stage m65028

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RRR Cast Special Appearance

A spectacular fireworks display in celebration of Saudi Arabia's National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Fireworks Display

Fireworks Display during UAE National Day and the Golden Jubilee Celebrations m16009

Flags

Join us in celebrating Saudi Arabia's National Day at Expo 2020

KSA Flags

Saudi Arabia National Day

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KSA carousel

As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia opens itself to the world, its contribution to Expo 2020 mirrors the nation’s grand ambitions. Boasting a vast façade that covers the area of two football pitches, the Saudi Arabia Pavilion takes the form of an opening window that soars into the sky bearing messages of inspiration.

Your Saudi experience begins in the open plaza under the pavilion, where the giant screen above and LEDs below combine to create a dazzling light show. Next, the “Heritage Path” escalator will transport you to immersive exhibits – and you can end your journey with refreshments and shopping in the pavilion’s scenic palm garden.


Spectacular mirrored architectural design, dazzlingly lit on all sides

Immersive exhibition space highlighted by a multicoloured floating sphere

Palm garden featuring dining and retail options

Saudi A Features

KSA logo

The monumental Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Pavilion is a mirrored slab that extends up diagonally from the ground, resembling a giant window opening toward the sky. The immense structure soars six storeys into the air and covers more than 13,000 square metres, or the area of two football pitches. The sides of the pavilion feature a decorative motif of grey horizontal lines like layered metal, while its vast underbelly — which shades an enormous plaza — is mirrored and smooth. 


Saudi intro image 

to the sky

A window 

Saudi Arabia Pavilion 

Saudi Arabia's National Day Fireworks Display

In this Chat Plays episode, we explore Opportunity! Adventure with our guide Amani through Bahrain, Pakistan and Lebanon as she gets an inside look - and even a snack! - from their wonderful greeters. We also encounter and defeat STATIC. This action-packed episode is part of the Live@Expo tours where you 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. Enjoy watching the show and create a Twitch account to join the chat and earn points! Photosensitivity warning: Some areas in Live@Expo broadcasts may feature bright flashing effects that may affect photosensitive viewers.

 Ep 2: Bahrain, Pakistan and Lebanon Pavilions

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An introduction to the Opportunity District through a lively tour of the Bahrain, Pakistan and Lebanon pavilions at Expo 2020. Enjoy watching the show!

Discover how to distinguish cultured from natural pearls in the Bahrain Pavilion.

Explore the natural beauty and architecture of Pakistan.

Experience the swings in the Lebanon Pavilion.

Create a Twitch account to join the chat and earn points!

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

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Bahrain Carousel

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.


Bahrain

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

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

Bahrain Pavilion Interior

structural system 

Thin and light 

Bahrain Pavilion

Pakistan

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Gallery

Home to four of the world’s 10 tallest mountains, Pakistan is a place where aiming for the top carries new meaning. At the alpine-looking Pakistan Pavilion, you’ll get a one-of-a-kind tour of the nation’s towering “peaks of progress” in sustainability, sport, science and much more.

Immersive exhibitions await in the pavilion’s wings - five wings, honouring Pakistan’s provinces. Whether it’s exploring the nation’s recent planting of one billion new trees, plucking textile threads to create symphonies of traditional Pakistani music or learning about the World Cup footballs (made in Pakistan since 1970), the pavilion has many unique experiences.


Pakistan logo

The Pakistan pavilion's five gently rounded, summit-like structures of varying heights are arranged in a U-shape around a recessed courtyard. Each slope-topped peak, which represents one of Pakistan’s five provinces, is textured with a cross-hatch design of reflective metal plating with a rainbow-like sheen. 

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 into Pakistan

A metaphoric window

Pakistan Pavilion 

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stamp Lebanon

Lebanon Image Gallery

The Lebanese people have long shown how their deep-rooted culture and extroverted warmth flourish under any conditions. A nation of crossroads, where East meets West, Christianity meets Islam, and tradition meets the cosmopolitan, the Lebanon Pavilion celebrates this Mediterranean nation’s heritage of perseverance, determination and resourcefulness. Visit technology-based “islands” devoted to ancient seafaring Phoenicians, modern-day entrepreneurs and scientists. Experience traditional Lebanese folk music or sample delicious Lebanese cuisine. You may even find yourself in the middle of a flash mob! 

Lebanon

The Lebanon Pavilion is a low-slung, L-shaped building with a broad wall of windows on its short, curving, front face. The structure is wrapped in horizontal bands of lightly-coloured material, creating a unique striped look. 


Lebanon 2

culture and warmth

Celebrating deep-rooted

Lebanon Pavilion

Live@Expo Ep 2: Bahrain, Pakistan and Lebanon 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.

DJ Topic

Image Gallery

New Year's Eve @ Expo .