Expo 2020 Dubai's closing ceremony to run through the night

Firework displays will be held at midnight and 3am, with tens of thousands of people expected to attend

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  A view of Al Wasl dome after midnight at Expo 2020 Dubai when the site shuts down to visitors. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Visitors watch an immersive show at Al Wasl dome. Pawan Singh / The National

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  People leave Expo 2020 Dubai after watching the final audiovisual shows at Al Wasl dome. Pawan Singh / The National

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  When the Expo site closes to visitors, rehearsals begin under Al Wasl dome, also called the Expo's crown jewel. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Crews prepare for the next day show during the night shift at Al Wasl dome. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Technical and maintenance crews check the 30,000 lights that change colour in synch to the music in the sunken garden of Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National

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  The view from one of two control rooms that manage the content beamed across Al Wasl dome. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Inside the main control room, programmers work through the night to check audio and light effects for Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National

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  The technical crew work with the spotlights during night rehearsals at Al Wasl dome. Pawan Singh / The National

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  A view of the control room that oversees the stunning effects beamed across Al Wasl dome. Pawan Singh / The National

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  The revolving stage inside Al Wasl dome is being readied at night ahead of a musical performance the next day. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Content is curated in virtual reality and in audio studios that overlook Al Wasl dome. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Technical teams run through the sequence of light and sound that lend an element of theatre to performances at Al Wasl dome. Pawan Singh / The National

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  William Ainley, vice president, technical, for events and entertainment at Expo 2020 Dubai, says the night-time hours are precious for rehearsals. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Al Wasl dome is quiet minutes before night rehearsals make it come alive. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Coldplay perform beneath Al Wasl dome to a packed crowd. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

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  Thousands watch the Coldplay performance at Expo 2020 Dubai. Reuters

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  Alicia Keys commands the stage. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

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  Amna Abulhoul, creative director, ceremonies, at Expo 2020 Dubai says the immersive dome has made a lasting impression on top music groups. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

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  Singer Alicia Keys performs at Dubai Expo 2020 Dubai. AP

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  The Black Eyed Peas perform at Expo 2020 Dubai. Reuters

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  The Black Eyed Peas perform as the circular designs within Al Wasl dome take on a life of their own at Expo 2020 Dubai. Reuters

Expo 2020 Dubai's closing ceremony on Thursday will run throughout the night and feature fireworks and pop concerts that organisers believe will attract the event's biggest crowds yet.

The world's fair will remain open for firework displays at midnight and 3am.

Metro trains will run around the clock on Thursday and Friday to handle crowds, with tens of thousands of people expected to visit Expo.

The celebrations are included in the price of a ticket that has allowed people to visit the event several times over the past month.

The opening ceremony was iconic, our closing ceremony will be as iconic

Tareq Ghosheh,
chief events and entertainment officer at Expo 2020 Dubai

Among the headline acts are singers Christina Aguilera and Norah Jones and cellist Yo-Yo Ma, with more than 20 giant screens to be set up across the Expo site to display the shows.

Screens will be set up in areas such as the main stages, Festival Garden and various country pavilions.

Organisers said the screens would "enable everyone to experience the magic".

The celebrations will continue into the night, with concerts held at the Jubilee Stage and Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre.

Show to run from 7pm to 3am

The evening's festivities will begin at 7pm with Mira Singh, the girl who starred in the opening ceremony, taking the audience on another compelling journey.

"For 182 days, she has grown, learnt and connected with people from around the world – what remains is the final step before she awakens to her full potential," Expo said.

The ancient golden ring found in the desert by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, will be part of the story that will also capture standout moments from the six-month world's fair.

The one-hour ceremony will have an Emirati soul that will touch on a global experience, organisers said.

Handing over to Osaka for Expo 2025

A 10-minute section called the "garden of memories" will show highlights from Expo.

“The opening ceremony was iconic, our closing ceremony will be as iconic,” said Tareq Ghosheh, chief events and entertainment officer at Expo.

At the end of the ceremony the Expo flag will be handed over to the organisers of the next world's fair, in Osaka, Japan.

Much of the focus at the ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza will be on the next generation, as Expo invites hundreds of children from across the UAE to catch a glimpse of the next 50 years in the country.

Children aged between 7 and 9 who have been participating in Expo events accompanied by their school co-ordinators will be the guests of honour.

Concerts galore

Grammy-winner Ma will play a concert at the amphitheatre from 8.45pm, with Jones, another Grammy-winning artist, set to entertain visitors with a concert at the Jubilee Stage from 9pm.

American pop star Aguilera's extended performance will take place on the Jubilee Stage from 10.45pm.

The cast of the closing ceremony includes more than 400 professionals and volunteers from 56 different countries, with 745 costumes created for the culmination of Expo.

Forty members of a children’s choir in the UAE will perform Ishy Bilady, the national anthem, and will be joined by the all-women Firdaus Orchestra, conducted by Yasmina Sabbah.

Site will be open to all

The Expo will be open to the public before and during the closing ceremony.

People can gather around the Al Wasl dome and for the performances at the Jubilee Stage and Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre.

The sunken garden section of Al Wasl will be closed off for special invitees. Entry to the main shows will be on a first come first served basis.

In addition to the headline acts, there will be street performances throughout the night.

A world string ensemble will perform as part of a pre-show at 6pm.

Amna Abulhoul, executive creative director of Expo’s events and entertainment, promised an evening of beautiful choreography and spectacular fireworks.

“For the closing, the sunset is not the end it is just the beginning of something new where we will see beauty in the darkness.”

Transport arrangements

Organisers have urged visitors to arrive early and use the Metro to reach Expo.

People with cars should use the park and ride service from Jebel Ali Metro Station where possible.

Taxis are expected to be in high demand.

Earth Hour parade at Expo 2020: in pictures

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  An Earth Hour parade took place at Expo 2020 Dubai to honour Earth Hour 2022. All photos: Expo 2020 Dubai

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  The event was organised by Emirates Nature in association the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF).

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  Visitors during the Earth Hour parade.

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  Earth Hour is a global event organised by the WWF and started in Sydney, Australia in 2007.

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  The Dubai Police Marching Band paraded through Ghaf Avenue in Expo 2020 Dubai’s Sustainability District.