Dubai Expo 2020: Theme, Schedule, Tickets, Activities & Business Opportunities

Dubai Expo is not only unique in its name but also unique to be the first world expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia region. It is being hosted in Dubai, UAE from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022. This six-month extravaganza of technology, food, and culture opened amongst much fanfare, song and dance and breathtaking light shows over the Al Wasl Plaza dome on September 30, 2021. 

Dubai Expo 2020, was originally planned to be held in Dubai from October 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021. It got postponed until 2021 because of the world pandemic. The authorities kept the Al Wasl Plaza dome, and the pavilions built to showcase contributions from over 190 countries away from the limelight and amid much security for over a year. 

Source: Skv282, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

World Expos have always been a way to showcase the length and breadth of human imagination, curiosity, and invention. The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), an intergovernmental organization, organizes and supervises four types of international expositions: 

  • World Expos, 
  • Specialized Expos, 
  • Horticultural Expos, and 
  • the Triennale di Milano.

The BIE was created in 1928 and emphasizes the core values of Education, Innovation, and Cooperation. The BIE tempers and regulates the host countries, the rules and regulations, branding, budget, and scale of the Expo.

What is Dubai Expo 2020?

The Dubai Expo 2020 theme is ‘Connecting minds, Creating the Future’. The basis and hope for this theme are that bringing the world together will lead to a greater exchange of ideas and perspectives that will escalate solution-based thinking across the world on a collective scale.

Dubai Expo 2020 is a stage set to showcase a futuristic world that starts at the central Al Wasl Plaza and its massive domed trellis that has a 360-degree projection surface to individual thematic districts around the plaza that look like petals.

The sub-themes under the Dubai Expo 2020 are:

  • Opportunity
  • Sustainability
  • Mobility

Each sub-theme has a designated district made to look like petals attached to the Al Wasl Plaza. Each district holds wonders in individual pavilions dedicated to participating countries, partners, organizations, and special pavilions for music and entertainment. There are over 190 countries taking part in the Dubai Expo 2020.

Subthemes at the Dubai Expo 2020 and Country Participants:

Opportunity DistrictSustainability DistrictMobility District
AfghanistanAndorraAustralia 
BahrainBahamasBelgium
CameroonCambodiaCroatia
EgyptEquatorial GuineaDenmark
FijiGabonEl Salvador
GhanaGreeceFrance
HondurasKuwaitGrenada
IndiaLesothoHaiti
JapanLithuaniaIreland
KazakhstanMadagascarJamaica
LatviaMozambiqueRepublic of Korea
MalawiNetherlandsMongolia
NamibiaNew ZealandNepal
PakistanPapua New GuineaOman
QatarPortugalPanama
RwandaRomaniaRussia
SamoaSeychellesSenegal
TongaSingaporeTanzania
UAETajikistanTuvalu
VenezuelaUzbekistanUruguay
ZambiaYemenVanuatu
Note: This is a representative table of 63 countries. The total number of participating countries is over 190. 

How to buy Dubai Expo Tickets? What are the ticket prices for Dubai Expo 2020? 

Dubai Expo 2020 tickets are available on the Dubai Expo 2020 official website. The Expo is open for visitors seven days a week for six months from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022.

The timings for the Dubai Expo 2020 are 10:00 am to 12:00 am from Saturday to Wednesday and 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Thursday and Friday.

Source: https://www.expo2020dubai.com/

Key points to remember:

  • There is a limited offer for October. You can get an October Pass for the price of a single-day ticket at ₹2019 or AED 95 for an adult (18 – 59 years).
  • October pass offers unlimited daily access during October.
  • The October pass is on sale until October 15, 2021.
  • Kids and Youth (6-17 years), Senior citizens (60+ years), students, people of determination have free entry and unlimited access for the entirety of six months.

What are the different tickets available for the Dubai Expo 2020?

There are standard tickets, Bundles, and Addons available for the Dubai Expo 2020.

Standard Tickets and Season Passes available for Dubai Expo 2020:

Standard (1 Adult)BenefitsRates
October passPrice of a 1-day ticket, Access for October₹2019 or AED 95
Season PassUnlimited entries for six months₹10525 or AED 495
Multi-Day PassAccess for 30 consecutive from 1st day of use₹4146 or AED 195
1- Day ticketValid for Single Entry₹2019 or AED 95
Premium ExperienceUnlimited access for 6 months, Access to Expo B2B App, Priority for select business events, 20% discount on select Food and Beverage, Dedicated concierge and guided tours, 5 entries to the premium Lounge₹37210 or AED 1750

Bundled packages available for Dubai Expo 2020:

BundleBenefitsRates
Family package (2 Adults + 1 Nanny)Season pass, Photography Voucher, 25% discount on 5 multi-day passes, Discounts on food and beverage for family meals₹20,199 or AED 950
Jubilee ExperienceSeason pass (4 no.), Multi-Day pass (30no.), 1-day Ticket (10no.), Jubilee Lounge Vouchers (6 no.), Garden in the Sky vouchers (5 no.), Guided tours Vouchers (10 no.), Photography Voucher 6 no.), 2no. 24-carat gold plated Expo pins, Jubilee member Season pass card, Dedicated VIP parking, 2 Expo Passports, Exclusive access to Jubilee Lounge by Emaar, Fast track entrance to member and 5 guests₹2,12,631 or AED 10,500

Addons such as half-day guided tours are also available at the Dubai Expo 2020:

DistrictLanguageRates
Signature Tour – Sustainability (Private)English₹23,389 or AED 1,100
Signature Tour – Sustainability (Private)Arabic₹23,389 or AED 1,100
Signature Tour – Sustainability (Group)English₹1382 or AED 65
Signature Tour – Sustainability (Group)Arabic₹1382 or AED 65
Signature Tour – Opportunity (Private)English₹23,389 or AED 1,100
Signature Tour – Opportunity (Private)Arabic₹23,389 or AED 1,100
Signature Tour – Opportunity (Private)Spanish₹23,389 or AED 1,100
Signature Tour – Opportunity (Private)Russian₹23,389 or AED 1,100
Signature Tour – Opportunity (Group)English₹1382 or AED 65
Signature Tour – Opportunity (Group)Arabic₹1382 or AED 65
Signature Tour – Opportunity (Group)Spanish₹1382 or AED 65
Signature Tour – Mobility (Private)English â‚¹23,389 or AED 1,100
Signature Tour – Mobility (Private)Russian₹23,389 or AED 1,100
Signature Tour – Mobility (Group)English₹1382 or AED 65
Signature Tour – Mobility (Group)Russian₹1382 or AED 65
Signature Tour – Mobility (Group)German₹ 1382 or AED 65

What to expect at the Dubai Expo 2020?

Theme Weeks (Schedule Dubai Expo 2020):

Theme weeks will run throughout the six-month duration of Dubai Expo 2020. Events such as People’s Promise for climate Impact, World Majlis, Climate and Biodiversity Business Forum, will take place through each themed week.

Week 1 (3 Oct – 9 Oct, 2021)Climate & Biodiversity
Week 2 (17 Oct- 23 Oct, 2021)Space
Week 3 (31 Oct – 6 Nov , 2021)Urban & Rural Development
Week 4 (14 Nov – 20 Nov, 2021)Tolerance & Inclusivity
Week 5 (12 Dec – 18 Dec, 2021)Knowledge & Learning
Week 6 (9 Jan – 15 Jan, 2021)Travel & Connectivity
Week 7 (16 Jan -22 Jan, 2021)Global Goals
Week 8 (27 Jan – 2 Feb, 2021)Health & Wellness
Week 9 (17 Feb – 23 Feb, 2021)Food, Agriculture & Livelihoods
Week 10 (20 March – 26 March, 2021)Water

Innovation and Technology:

World Expos have always been a coveted platform for displaying and applauding advancing technology. You can expect to see a world-class spectacle of life-changing innovations and a minutely and expansively connected technological world at the Dubai Expo 2020.

Experiences such as:

  • The Artificial Intelligence (UK) pavilion will highlight the connection between human contribution and Artificial Intelligence.
  • Explore the Future of Air Travel (Emirates) Pavillion will showcase an immersive futuristic cabin experience.

Entertainment:

What to expect you ask? Well, here’s a small glimpse at what the Dubai Expo 2020 has to refresh you in between all the world-building advancements. 

  • A Beethoven-inspired Robo band, 
  • A- list artist performances, 
  • Flash mobs, 
  • Stars in the Wild – an immersive show at the Al Wasl plaza garden that will let you hang out with beautiful make-believe creatures bathed in starlight
  • Live street performances
  • Stage shows
  • Music and Concerts
  • Dance and Sing along,  

Arts and Culture:

An opportunity to get a glimpse into the arts and culture of the world at various points, such as

  • Calligraphy Benches, 
  • Sabeel fountains that tell the story of water, 
  • The riddim that moves the world at the Jamaica Pavilion,
  • Al Wasl Opera, and 
  • Visual Perception through the power of imagination

Foods and Livelihoods:

Some of the culinary experiences that include street foods, haute cuisine, to go foods, family friendly and budget friendly meals that you can enjoy at Dubai Expo 2020 are:

  • Plant Based cuisine at the Sustainability Hub,
  • Ever had lunch with robots? Try it at the Talabat Kitchen,
  • Alkebulan offers you a feast in the African food hall,
  • Experience the future of food at the Epochal Banquet, and
  • Over 200 food and beverage outlets

Sports, Fitness and Wellbeing:

At the Mobility district, over 5400sqm have been dedicated to football and cricket pitches, gyms, classes and tournaments. Some activities you should look forward to are:

  • Meeting your sports heroes, from football to cricket, such as the Rajasthan Royals.
  • Karate tournaments and exhibitions by Harlem Globetrotters.
  • Workshops conducted by AC Milan Academy or the Football Federation of Australia.
  • Fitness classes conducted from stage to keep you energised throughout your day.
  • You can play a game of tennis with a stranger from the other side of the world and may pitch a ball to an international athlete. It’s all possible at the Dubai Expo 2020!

Architecture:

Dubai Expo 2020 is going to be a storehouse of architectural marvel. The Immersive 360 degree projection surface that is the dome of the Al Wasl Plaza is already the world’s largest projection surface. Other marvels such as a falcon- shaped pavilion aka UAE pavilion is a sight to behold along with the arch inspired Belgium Pavilion.

Business and Entrepreneurship:

It’s not all fun and games at the Dubai Expo 2020. It is also a massive opportunity to network with and learn from business leaders from across the globe. The nine floor luxurious hospitality tower known as the 2020 Club by Emaar is the perfect place to get the ‘handshaking’ ahem or safe distance wave and greet going!

The Good Place by Expo Line Pavillion is the pace to be if you want to be inspired by ordinary people doing some extraordinary things. These global innovators have taken the next step to join them in their journey into the future.

Did you know that Dubai Expo 2020 has a Business Matchmaking app? Well, isn’t that an idea that gets you going! The Business Matchmaking app will suggest connections at the right time with the right partners at the Expo. Imagine walking along and quite by chance meeting your next supplier partner.

Source: https://www.expo2020dubai.com/

Education Programmes:

Are you going with your kids and don’t quite know what to expect? Well, the education programmed includes playing with humpback whales at the Comoros Pavilion, an opportunity to see 4D bio-printing in action that prints live cells at the Belarus Pavilion, and enjoy a game of forest pinball over at the Sustainability Pavilion that will let your child decide the future of the planet. 

Visiting Dubai Expo 2020 with Children:

Dubai Expo 2020 is a commitment to entertain and educate all ages. When visiting the expo, look forward to the following experiences that will leave your little ones with an everlasting impression in their minds.

  • A Mars-inspired playground.
  • A run and play game with baby penguins in the Monaco pavilion.
  • Expo mascot show at the 360 degrees Al Wasl dome.
  • Children and family-friendly menus.
  • Free access to the expo for kids under 17.
  • Stroller and wheelchair rentals are available.
  • Family toilets and breastfeeding rooms are available.
  • Quiet areas for some downtime.
  • First aid corners all around the Expo.
  • Meeting point for lost children.

Read here: Check the best places to visit in Dubai

Things to remember when visiting UAE:

How to get to UAE:

  • By air (Emirates Airlines and Etihad Airways)
  • By sea, (Major cruise lines stop at Port Rashid (Dubai), Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, Port Khalid (Sharjah), and Ras Al Khaimah Port)

How to dress and what to expect?

  • Dress modestly
  • Keep cool
  • Foodies can expect a lot of varieties
  • Interact with thousand people out there
  • A lot of fun

Time Difference:

GMT + 4 hours

Weather:

Temperature ranges from 25 C to 45 C. The weather does not affect the visiting experience as all establishments are air-conditioned. 

Currency:

Dirham or AED

Communication:

Visitors will need a temporary sim card for local and international calling which can be brought from an Etisalat or Du provider shop.

Electricity and water:

  • Three-pin British style sockets for charging points.
  • Tap water is safe to drink otherwise packaged mineral water is available.

FAQs:

What are the Dubai Expo 2020 dates?

The dates for Dubai Expo2020 are October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022.

What is the location of Dubai Expo 2020?

Dubai Expo 2020 is in the Dubai South District.

How to get to the Dubai Expo 2020 site?

Visitors can reach the Dubai Expo site by metro, by Expo Rider and RTA buses, by taxi, by car. Regular parking shuttles are available from the parking lot to the main gate of the Dubai Expo 2020.

How to navigate the Dubai Expo site?

Visitors can navigate the site on foot, Expo People Mover, Golf buggies, Expo explorer (train).

Is there a hotel on-site at the Dubai Expo 2020?

Yes, the rove expo is the hotel on-site that offers 312 rooms and 19 suites, a rooftop pool, and views of the Al Wasl Plaza.

Do I need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination?

Adult visitors (18 and above) will need to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within the previous 72 hours.

Is there a COVID-19 testing facility near the Dubai Expo 2020 site?

Yes, there is a COVID testing facility next to the Dubai Expo 2020 site. The test results may take up to 4 hours.

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