Spectacular light show to illuminate Expo 2020 buildings every night

Light art and impressive projections will tell inspiring stories

A striking image by Osama Zaid Al-Zbeidi, chosen from the archives of Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Awards. All photos: Hipa

A selection of pictures submitted to the annual competition will be featured in a light show at Expo 2020 Dubai. This photograph, by Maoyuan Cui of China, is from ‘Life in Colour’, the award theme in 2014 and 2015.

By Mujeeb Rahiman Kizhakkechalil, of India, from ‘Life in Colour’

This entry for ‘Life in Colour’ earned Anurag Kumar, of India, the Hipa Grand Prize in 2015.

Ben Canales submitted this photograph for ‘Beauty of Light’, the theme from 2013 to 2014.

By Dutch photographer Caroline Welsing, for ‘Beauty of Light’.

By Tran Van Hung, from ‘Beauty of Light’.

By Manfred Johann Hoelz, from ‘Beauty of Light’.

An outdoor night festival will wow crowds with spectacular light projections during the Expo 2020.

Called Kaleidoscope, it will use light sculptures, art projections and installations to illuminate buildings in different hues on every night of the six-month event.

It will feature structures designed by famous architects such as Foster + Partners, Asif Khan, Grimshaw and Hopkins Architects.

Light art and impressive projections will tell stories of festivals such as Diwali and Christmas.

Much of the light show's imagery will be provided by Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (Hipa).

The photographs will reflect the Expo themes opportunity, mobility and sustainability, and will include archive images dating to Hipa's foundation in 2011.

Grant Reid, vice president, events and entertainment, for Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “While the past 18 months have been unprecedentedly challenging, we believe that collaboration can inspire a better future – something we hope to highlight in our light show.

“A kaleidoscope is symbolic: once shaken, it shows something new but equally beautiful; and light has the power to conquer darkness.

“Through Kaleidoscope, our subthemes – Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability – will be vividly brought to life, reminding us of their relevance now more than ever before.”

The light festival will offer a self-guided visitor experience, with social distancing measures in place.

Expo 2020 Dubai has designed a diverse line-up of events and entertainment that will attract families, artists, professionals and businesses to the emirate.

Performances by school choirs, hip-hop dance troupes and Russia’s Bolshoi ballet company are on the programme, as are discussions on water scarcity.

After sunset, sound and light stories about the Arab region and nature will be projected on the translucent surface of Al Wasl dome.

Laser shows, special effects and fireworks will also light up the night sky.