BLOG: Full coverage of Expo 2020 Dubai
As the shadows lengthened and the sun set over Expo 2020 Dubai on Friday, it was time for the party to really get started.
Everywhere, lights began to twinkle as the heat of the day eased, with night-time at Expo the new place to see and be seen.
A gigantic, snarling white tiger puppet stalked the parade route, while golden human statues looked on.
Families strolled in the night air to take in the sights or listened to a concert in Jubilee Park, while Talabat Kitchen robots trundled past, delivering tasty treats.
Many of the attractions are at their best after dark. As the night sky was pierced by dozens of searchlights, the huge dome at Al Wasl Plaza flickered and danced with a light show.
The Water Feature - surely to become one of the most popular destinations - turned the world on its head as its glowing, crashing waves began to flow backwards.
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Visitors enjoy a light show at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National -
Light show at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National -
A view of Expo 2020 Dubai from the Garden in the Sky. Victor Besa / The National -
Expo 2020 Dubai is expected to welcome millions of visitors over the next six months. Victor Besa / The National -
Expo 2020 Dubai seen from the Garden in the Sky. Victor Besa / The National -
People visit the Russia pavilion during the first day of Expo 2020 Dubai. AP -
Performers dance during the opening ceremony of the Russian pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. The National -
Afghanistan's flag flies alongside others at the opening ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai. Reuters -
Al Wasl Dome at sunset at Expo 2020 Dubai, the Middle East's first World Fair. AP -
The Water Feature at sunset at Expo 2020 Dubai, where millions of visitors will travel over the next six months. AP -
People pass by the Spain pavilion during the first day of Expo 2020 Dubai. AP -
Visitors enjoy the Expo 2020 Dubai Water Feature area. Victor Besa / The National. -
Visitors at the Expo 2020 Water Feature area, on the first day of the world fair. Victor Besa / The National -
Wearing traditional costume, Keren Tang poses in front of the China pavilion. Victor Besa / The National -
The Expo Explorer ride passes the China pavilion, which takes its inspiration from a Chinese lantern. Victor Besa / The National -
Visitors to the Switzerland pavilion take shade under umbrellas while waiting in line. Victor Besa / The National -
Visitors at the Belarus pavilion area. Victor Besa / The National -
The UAE's Al Fursan aerobatics team perform on the first day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Kazakhstani women in traditional costume pose for a picture at the expo. AFP -
A visitor in the Pakistan pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A guest receives her stamp at the China pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The spectacular UAE pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Visitors explore the Expo 2020 Dubai site. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Visitors at the Pakistan pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Green lights come off the floor and the ceiling in the Pakistan pavilion to do with the Billion trees project on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The United Kingdom pavilion on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
International Colours Parade on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
International Colours Parade on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
International Colours Parade on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
International Colours Parade on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The Italy pavilion on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
International Colours Parade on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The beauty of imaging. The anthropomorphic installation 'The Beauty of Imaging' is a fascinating example of art and life sciences marriage. The giant, 4 metres high and composed of 82 screens divided into 225 high-resolution LED tiles, pays homage with its iconic figure to the most famous artistic expressions, from classical sculpture to the genius of Michelangelo, up to Picasso's reworking of forms. Inside the Italy pavilion on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A life-size model of MichelangeloÕs David. Inside the Italy pavilion on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid visits Expo 2020 Dubai on Day One. All photos: @HHShkMohd / Twitter -
Anatomic clock. Inside the Italy pavilion on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Inside the Italy pavilion on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Inside the Italy pavilion on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
People interact with wandering robots on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
HH Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak with Jeoungyeol Yu, Commissioner General of the Korea Pavilion, President and CEO of KOTRA at the official opening of the Korea pavilion on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The official opening of the Korea pavilion on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Thani Al Zeyoudi the Minister of State for Foreign Trade at the official opening of the Korea pavilion on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
HH Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak at the official opening of the Korea pavilion on the first day of Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Emirati traditional musicians greet visitors upon arrival. EPA -
From the moment the doors opened at 10am on Friday, crowds have flocked to the world’s fair. EPA -
Zeleros premieres its hyperloop vehicle during a media tour of the Spain Pavilion. AP Photo -
Qataris take part in a traditional sword dance at the opening of the Qatar Pavilion. AP Photo -
A visitor takes a selfie with a wandering robot. AP Photo -
Visitors can choose from a vast selection of gifts at the souvenir shop. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The official shop is stocked with souvenirs. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Flag-waving visitors arrive at the international event. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
People eager to get a glimpse of the 'world's greatest show' arrive bright and early on Friday morning. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Nitin Nishant takes a selfie in front of the Expo map. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Jaber, with his children Theyab, 6, and Shasna, 7, scans their tickets. 'We are looking forward to seeing the UAE pavilion, its our home country,' he said. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Filipino singers jump for joy as the doors to the world's fair finally open to the public. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Designated staff are on hand to help navigate visitors around the sprawling site. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The first day of the six-month expo gets under way. Chris Whiteoak / The National
“We’re really excited. We have been waiting for this for a really long time coming. We delayed our trip home to India so we could explore this Expo. We just started our trip, but it is amazing, it is a wonder,” said Jobi Matthew, a visitor who was accompanied by his family.
At the UAE pavilion, dusk is marked by the “feathers” on the building’s exterior that close to cover its solar panels.
To appreciate the astonishing scale of the Expo site - bigger than both New York’s Central Park and Disneyland - there is the Garden in the Sky, the best view in town short of owning your own private helicopter.
The rotating platform standing 55 metres above the ground offers visitors the full panorama of the Expo site.
At the top of the huge steel mast, the platform gives a bird's-eye views of the desert and several attractions, including the oval bowl of Terra, the Sustainability Pavilion, Al Wasl Plaza and the cascading Water Feature.
Back on the ground, the swelling number of visitors suggest that Expo by night will be a hugely popular way to spend an evening.
Expo is open until midnight during the week, but the party continues until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays — both the hottest and simultaneously the coolest spot in town for the next six months.
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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid visits Expo 2020 Dubai on the opening day of the event. All photos: @HHShkMohd / Twitter -
The UAE pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak/The National -
Sheikh Mohammed visited the UAE pavilion at Expo 2020 today. -
Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Ruler of Dubai on his tour of Expo today. -
Sheikh Mohammed visited the UAE pavilion at Expo 2020 today. -
Sheikh Mohammed visited the Kazakhstan pavilion at Expo 2020. -
Sheikh Mohammed visited the US pavilion at Expo 2020. -
Sheikh Mohammed visited the Kazakhstan pavilion at Expo 2020. -
Sheikh Mohammed visited the Kazakhstan pavilion at Expo 2020. -
Sheikh Mohammed visited the Kazakhstan pavilion at Expo 2020. -
Sheikh Mohammed visited the US pavilion at Expo 2020. -
Sheikh Mohammed visited the China pavilion at Expo 2020. -
Sheikh Mohammed visited the Kazakhstan pavilion at Expo 2020.
