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.
Audiences will be thrilled by some of the most extraordinary and technologically advanced performances in a world-class – and world-first – experience at Expo 2020 Dubai’s stunning Opening Ceremony on 30 September.
A 1,000-strong cast and crew are creating a 90-minute immersive spectacular that is setting the highest standards of technical expertise and will showcase Al Wasl Plaza’s incredible dome – the world’s largest 360-degree projection surface and an unprecedented feat of engineering – to attendees and millions of viewers.
A rich sea of colour and true-to-life visuals, courtesy of Christie, Expo’s Official Projection and Display Partner, will create evolving scenes on the 130-metre-wide surface, which can be seen from both inside and outside the dome.
The ground-breaking laser projectors use reduced power, yet provide the highest reliability and quality, while more than 1,000 speakers will amplify the audio, providing surround-sound acoustics.
A total of 30,000 individually controlled fairy lights will twinkle across Al Wasl Plaza’s garden, guiding the way to the dome and the unique evening it is hosting.
This will be followed a night later by three spectacular fireworks displays in Dubai, marking the first full day of the Expo in a spectacular visual celebration 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.
On Thursday, 30 September, nation-wide Opening Ceremony viewing parties will take place across the country, 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.
Screens will be set up in locations ranging from airports and shopping malls to hotels and other landmarks, relaying the incredible music and cultural performances as they happen.
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 incredible fireworks displays will take place on the evening of Friday 1 October, kicking off at 2020 GST, at Dubai Festival City, The Frame and The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, with each presenting their own unique celebrations. Both The Pointe and Dubai Festival City will incorporate their fountains into a dazzling light and sound show themed on Expo 2020, while The Frame façade will be lit up in Expo colours. The flags of participating countries will also be displayed at each, with booths on the ground for purchasing Expo 2020 tickets.
