What to expect from the Expo 2020 Opening Ceremony and where to watch it
Expo 2020 Dubai’s star-studded Opening Ceremony will be streamed live to more than 430 locations across the UAE, giving everyone the chance to participate in the mind-blowing spectacle, wherever they might be.
Nation-wide Opening Ceremony viewing parties will take place across the country tonight, thanking the nation for its support and inviting everyone to come together to celebrate this momentous occasion for Dubai, the UAE and the region as a whole.
Viewers from anywhere in the world can also join the evening’s proceedings via a global live stream, available on virtualexpo.world and Expo TV from 7:30pm onwards.
A 1,000-strong cast and crew have created a 90-minute immersive spectacular that sets the highest standards of technical expertise and will showcase Al Wasl Plaza’s incredible dome – the world’s largest 360-degree projection surface – to attendees and millions of viewers.
A rich sea of colour and true-to-life visuals will create evolving scenes on the 130-metre-wide surface, which can be seen from both inside and outside the dome. A total of 30,000 individually controlled fairy lights will twinkle across Al Wasl Plaza’s garden, while more than 1,000 speakers will amplify the audio, providing surround-sound acoustics.
Among those slated to perform are world-famous tenor Andrea Bocelli; Grammy-nominated, Golden-Globe-winning actress, singer and songwriter Andra Day; platinum-selling British singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding; international mega-star pianist Lang Lang; and four-time Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo.
The Expo 2020 Opening Ceremony will be followed a night later by three fireworks displays, marking the first full day of the Expo and commemorating the journey from winning the bid in 2013 to opening the first World Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region and the largest global event held since the start of the pandemic.
The fireworks displays will take place on the evening of Friday 1 October, kicking off at 8:20pm, at Dubai Festival City, The Frame and The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah. The Pointe and Dubai Festival City will incorporate their fountains into dazzling light and sound shows themed on Expo 2020, while The Frame façade will be illuminated in Expo colours.
The roster of streaming locations for the Opening Ceremony includes more than 240 hotels nation-wide, including Emaar’s Rove, Armani, Address Hotels & Resorts, and Vida Hotels & Resorts, as well as Accor, Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Rotana, Jumeirah, Hyatt International and Atlantis The Palm.
In addition, 17 Majid Al Futtaim malls, City Walk, Nakheel Mall and Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai and Abu Dhabi International Airports and Zabeel Ladies Club will also stream the experience.
Adding to the evening’s magic, viewings are taking place at various locations in Umm Al Quwain, Yas Plaza in Abu Dhabi and across multiple locations in Ras Al Khaimah, including the Corniche, Al Marjan Island and Manar Mall. Ajman Heritage District and Fujairah Fort will also host a live broadcast, the latter accompanied by an evening of other festivities that include a mini village, folklore bands, traditional crafts, heritage displays and traditional food.
GO: Visit www.expo2020dubai.com for more information.
