Expo 2020 Dubai approaches 11 million visits, driven by musical thrills and Global Goals Week

Expo 2020 Dubai has recorded 10,836,389 visits as of 24 January, catalysed by a magical new musical from Indian stars Shekhar Kapur and A.R. Rahman, plus a series of high-profile events as part of the first Global Goals Week to be held outside of the United Nations in New York. 

Across the Expo 2020 Dubai site, which is four times the size of Dubai Mall and spans the area of 613 football pitches, visitors have safely enjoyed the nearly 200 events being staged every day, thanks to stringent precautionary measures against COVID-19. 

Why? The Musical – a mesmerising show by renowned filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and Academy and Grammy Award winner A.R. Rahman – opened at Al Wasl Plaza on January 20, featuring more than 100 performers, including Indian actor, dancer and comedian Jaaved Jaaferi. It will continue to wow audiences until 27 February, with performances in English, from Thursday-Sunday (except 4-5 February) at 2000 GST. For more information, visit www.expo2020dubai.com.

Global Goals Week, which ran from 15-22 January at Expo 2020 Dubai in association with the United Nations, proved similarly popular, with the site coming alive with post-it pledges and inspiring ‘to-do list’ activations, adding to the range of compelling forums and panel discussions. The Theme Week advanced the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a blueprint to achieving a better, more sustainable future for all, tackling global challenges such as poverty, inequality, health and education, and climate change. Expo 2020 Dubai continues to be committed to promoting the SDGs, providing a platform to create a positive impact for our collective future. 

The headline attractions in the coming week are equally as impressive, including a hotly anticipated concert by pop-rap megastars Black Eyed Peas at Al Wasl Plaza on 25 January – the fourth show in Expo 2020 Dubai’s six-month Infinite Nights series. Expect popular hits and music from new album Translation from Los Angeles trio – will.i.am, Apl.de.Ap and Taboo.

With Expo 2020 Dubai set to close its gates for the final time on 31 March, visitors have only a few short weeks left to enjoy the site’s vast array of attractions. As part of the ‘It’s Now or Never, Only Until March 31’ marketing campaign, the Season Pass Finale ticket is available now for the amazing price of AED 195, with a huge variety of entertainment and dining options.

Visitors aged over 60 can now enjoy a number of enhanced services as part of the Senior Guests Programme. Open to any guest eligible for a free Expo Senior Citizen Pass, visitors can access dedicated priority parking spaces, use private buggies for up to five people for 90 minutes, gain fast-track entry to selected pavilions, and obtain a 30 percent discount on lunch at select restaurants across the site.

And for families, Expo 2020 Dubai’s Festival Garden is the perfect cool-weather hang-out, with a host of kids’ activities, music and entertainment. The venue is also hosting the Middle East’s first vegan food festival, running until the end of January.

Expo 2020 Dubai’s virtual visitation reached 72.5 million, driven by the range of entertainment available via Live@Expo, as well as extensive live coverage of the Global Goals Week sessions, which garnered 767,000 visitors across the planet.

Health and safety remain a key priority, with stringent rules in place across the site. All Expo visitors ages 18 and above must show either proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test result taken within the previous 72 hours, while on-site measures include mask-wearing – indoors and outdoors – for visitors, staff and participants, and PCR testing facilities for Country Pavilion staff, frontline workers, and entertainers.

Expo 2020 Dubai runs until 31 March, inviting the world to join a global celebration that will help to shape a brighter, better future for everyone. ‘It’s Now or Never, Only Until March 31’.