Co-curated with the UAE Ministry of Community Development and UNICEF, this people-facing flagship event will raise awareness and celebrate World Children’s Day, spotlighting the UAE’s leadership role in the area, and highlighting Expo Participants’ best practices and success stories.

World Children's Day Concert

Celebrating World Children's Day with music, dance, poetry and more on Expo's central stage, co-curated with the UAE Ministry of Community Development and UNICEF.

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.

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

World Children’s Day is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children's welfare. Young people will ‘take over’ Expo 2020 on Saturday at the biggest celebration yet of World Children’s Day 2021. Organized by Expo 2020 Dubai, in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Community Development and UNICEF, the packed agenda includes a Specialist Event showcasing the international community’s efforts to reimagine and build a child-friendly post-COVID-19 world, and an inspiring concert with music, dance, poetry and more on Expo's central stage.

"A Better Future for Every Child"

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World Children's Day

With our planet today home to 7.8 billion people, we put the spotlight on co-existence, understanding different faiths, creating inclusive dialogue, and so much more. During this Theme Week, Expo will provide a platform for diverse voices from all corners of the world to reimagine how spaces, environments and storytelling can become more inclusive by focusing on multiculturalism and peaceful co-existence.

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How can we foster a greater common understanding to enable more tolerant and inclusive societies?

Tolerance & Inclusivity Week

World Children’s Day: Concert

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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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.

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Start 2022 in style with the music of special guests, Vini Vici. Known as the fastest rising psytrance artists of their generation, the Isreali natives have succeeded in propelling the genre to the forefront of the electronic music circuit through their energetic performances and productions. Both established producers in their own right, the pair united over their desire to rework old school sounds into modern day music that would break boundaries and transcend time. They have performed all over the world at festivals like Tomorrowland and UltraMusic festival. They bring their unique sounds to the epic New Year's party at Expo 2020 Dubai.

DJ Vini Vici

Vini Vici

Start the New Year 2022 with the awesome music of DJ Vini Vici, at the Jubilee stage.

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 

Formed in 2002 in Rome’s multi-ethnic Esquilino district, the Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio has gathered a host of musicians from across the globe. This is the story of their journey to Rome, inviting their audience to share their incredible experiences through music.

Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio

Italy: Piazza Vittorio Orchestra

Be entertained by a magnificent musical performance by the Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio from Italy.

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Piazza Vittorio Orchestra performs at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m32860

Piazza Vittorio Orchestra performs at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m32859

Piazza Vittorio Orchestra performs at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m32858

Piazza Vittorio Orchestra performs at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m32856

Piazza Vittorio Orchestra performs at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre m32857

Explore the pavilion's materials which begin with the concept of circularity.

Italy Pavilion

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Italy Image Gallery

Italy’s voyage to Expo 2020 began long before opening day, when three custom-crafted boats set sail from Venice, Genoa and Naples. Nearly 10,000 kilometres later, the vessels arrived in Dubai and were hoisted up on steel pillars to form the roof of the Italy Pavilion, a striking showcase of culture, science and the nautical arts.

Inside the pavilion, beyond a dramatic veil of LED strands, stylish exhibits await. See a five-metre-tall 3D-printed replica of Michelangelo’s legendary David statue, learn about algae at a cluster of naturally multicoloured pools or gaze up and contemplate the fanciful hanging gardens embedded in the boats’ hulls.


Italy logo

The Italy Pavilion at Expo 2020 is a dramatic, open structure reminiscent of a giant carnival tent, with a swooping canopy and a layer of 20-metre-tall white strands surrounding its interior like a veil. A set of high steel pillars support its imaginative roof, which is formed from the hulls of three boats.  

World Children’s Day: Concert

World Children's Day Concert

Tolerance & Inclusivity Week.

This event is part of the
World Children's Day.

World Children's Day Concert

Tolerance & Inclusivity Week.

This event is part of theWorld Children's Day.

This event is part of the
World Children's Day.