The dazzling Al Wasl dome will shine bright once more as Expo City Dubai embarks on a new era on Saturday.
The glittering centrepiece of the world's fair is to spring into life in style with a spectacular show planned for the official opening of the legacy site.
Known as Expo’s crown jewel, the 360-degree translucent structure will remain at the heart of Expo City Dubai.
The 'Awakening of Al Wasl' show will get under way at 6.15pm, with organisers promising a celebration of the creative and enterprising spirit of the emirate.
Expo City Dubai opens to the public — in pictures
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Expo City Dubai officially opened on Saturday, October 1, a year after the world's fair launched. Expo 2020 Dubai attracted more than 24 million visits. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Visitor favourite the Vision Pavilion is inspired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
The Vision Pavilion is reopening to visitors at the repurposed site of the world's fair. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
The gravity defying Surreal water feature is also reopening to visitors at Expo City Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Football superstar Lionel Messi was among the millions of visitors entranced by the Surreal water feature. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
A panoramic view from the Garden in the Sky at Expo 2020 Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National -
A member of the French Air Force Patrouille de France aerobatics team flies past the Garden in the Sky during the world's fair. AP -
A night view of the Expo 2020 Dubai site from the Garden in the Sky. Victor Besa / The National. -
Visitors enjoy the view from the Garden in the Sky during the world's fair. The 55-metre tall observation tower is reopening in the revamped Expo City Dubai site. Pawan Singh / The National -
Visitors can explore much of the former site of the world fair and visit the centrepiece Al Wasl dome without charge. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Alif, the Mobility Pavilion, houses an interactive exhibition. It costs Dh50 ($13) to enter the attraction at the revamped site of Expo 2020 Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
An Emirati Bedouin display at Alif, the Mobility Pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The spectacular glowing globe in the pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Many of the same pavilion's popular exhibits from the world's fair will still be on display. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Visitors explore Alif, the Mobility Pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The pavilion was designed by Foster + Partners, known for their modernist steel-and-glass designs. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A nine-metre statue of Arab mathematician and philosopher Al Kindi is located in the Mobility Pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A visitor admires a stunning display in Alif, the Mobility Pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A historic bas relief carving, inside Alif, the Mobility Pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A display on 11th-century historian and geographer Abu Ubayd Al Bakri, inside Alif, the Mobility Pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Terra, the Sustainability Pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Visitors outside Terra, the Sustainability Pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The hall of consumption inside Terra, the Sustainability Pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A food option at Expo City Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Expo City Dubai opens. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The vast dome will be lit up with colourful projection displays from Wednesday to Sunday each week and is free to visit.
The October 1 opening event marks one year since the Expo 2020 Dubai welcomed the world to the emirate, going on to draw more than 20 million visits during its six month-run.
Expo City Dubai this week announced a Dh120 one-day pass that will give people admission to at least four main pavilions from Saturday.
The pass will allow visitors access to the Vision and Women’s pavilions, which opens on Saturday. It will also offer entry to Terra, the Sustainability Pavilion and Alif, the Mobility Pavilion. They reopened in September as part of a soft launch.
The Vision Pavilion celebrates the life of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and the Women's Pavilion depicts the challenges faced by women and optimism for a more equal world.
More pavilions will be added to the one-day pass as these open.
Passes can be bought online at www.expocitydubai.com.
Children aged 12 and under and people with disabilities can visit all pavilions free but need a ticket to enter. They can pick up a complimentary pass at any ticketing booth at Expo City Dubai.
Access to the Surreal water feature, a cascading waterfall, as well as Al Wasl dome, is free.
Special programmes can be booked by school groups. There are workshops and science shows tailored for different ages for an in-depth understanding of the links between energy, water, food and transport.
The common areas of Dubai's latest neighbourhood are open to all visitors, with individual pavilion tickets priced at Dh50 per person.
