We always thought 182 days sounded like rather a long time. It turns out that when you’re talking about the duration of a record-breaking, innovating, breath-taking, multi-sensory show like Expo 2020 Dubai, time flies.
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Without wishing to alarm you all too much, the end of Expo is firmly in sight. So, without further ado, here, in no particular order (they’re all great), are seven unmissable things you have to do before Thursday March 31.
Cycle the entire Expo 2020 site
Fancy touring the world in an hour? Join one of Expo’s free guided bicycle tours and in 60 minutes you’ll traverse the site’s 191 pavilions and all the districts (Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity) on two wheels. Alternatively, if you’ve got young kids in tow, why not hop on the bright yellow Expo Explorer.
Be amazed at (and cool off in) the Expo 2020 Water Feature
Marvelling in awe at the staggering Expo 2020 Water Feature (and have a quick paddle while doing so) is a show essential. Clocking in at 13-metres tall and featuring 153 dancing jets, the gravity-defying feature sends, dancing water cascading into the ground accompanied by a dramatic, specifically-written score from Game of Thrones composer Ramin Djawadi. Go or spend the rest of your days regretting it.
Sun-Wed 10am-midnight, Thu-Sat 10am-1am. Between Al Wasl Square and Jubilee Park.
Watch the awesome light show at Al Wasl Plaza
The must-do of all the must-do activities. If you’re yet to stand or sit beneath the mesmerising domed ceiling of the world’s largest 360-degree projection screen, then frankly, what are you waiting for? Right that wrong pronto; every night as dusk falls the audio-visual theatre begins and visitors are immersed in a spectacular tale of human development.
Taste your way around Africa
Of all the interesting eating opportunities at Expo 2020 (and there are many), taking a tasting tour of Alkebulan (the world’s first African dining hall), is certainly up there as one of the best. Overseen by acclaimed chef, TV personality and opera-singer-turned restaurateur Alexander Smalls, Alkebulan showcases African food and culture in delicious fashion, inviting guests to explore the country’s rich history one bite at a time. Go hungry.
Jubilee Park, alkebulandininghall.com.
Experience Jalsat Nights for the last time
The monthly Khaliji-led jam sessions known as Jalsat Nights and held at the open-air Jubilee Stage have been a show highlight from the start. Listen to local musicians and performers from different countries jamming together in harmonious unity for the final time on Tuesday March 15.
Mar 15, 8.30pm-10.30pm. Jubilee Stage.
Admire Dodecalis Luminarium
This colourful inflatable exhibition has just landed at Expo 2020, jettisoning its way to the top of many a to-see list. A well-travelled installation to say the least (it has been displayed in 43 countries and counting), Dodecalis Luminarium features three main domes connected by labyrinth-like tunnels which are illuminated by colourful lights.
Festival Garden.
Watch the closing ceremony
If the spectacular, Andrea Bocelli-headlined curtain raiser was anything to go by (and my, wasn’t it incredible), the Expo 2020 closing show will be awesome. While it’s likely that only a select few will be lucky enough to view events unfold at the site (the opening show was VIP invite only, with 100 season ticket-holding raffle winners also in attendance), the closing extravaganza will be live-streamed across various channels, including the Expo 2020 Dubai YouTube channel.
Want even more Expo? Click here to read about Riyadh bidding for World Expo 2030.
