• Closing fireworks at Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Closing fireworks at Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Stunning fireworks display brought the curtain down on the world's fair on Thursday night. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Stunning fireworks display brought the curtain down on the world's fair on Thursday night. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Actress Mira Singh and dancers perform at the closing ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai. EPA
    Actress Mira Singh and dancers perform at the closing ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai. EPA
  • Musician Yo-Yo Ma performs during the Expo 2020 Dubai closing ceremony. AP
    Musician Yo-Yo Ma performs during the Expo 2020 Dubai closing ceremony. AP
  • Artists perform during the closing ceremony of Expo 2020. AFP
    Artists perform during the closing ceremony of Expo 2020. AFP
  • Artists perform during the Expo 2020 Dubai closing ceremony. AP
    Artists perform during the Expo 2020 Dubai closing ceremony. AP
  • Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, arrives at the closing ceremony of Expo 2020. AFP
    Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, arrives at the closing ceremony of Expo 2020. AFP
  • Artists perform during the closing ceremony in Dubai. AP
    Artists perform during the closing ceremony in Dubai. AP
  • A visitor take photos during the closing ceremony. EPA
    A visitor take photos during the closing ceremony. EPA
  • Artists perform during the closing ceremony. Reuters
    Artists perform during the closing ceremony. Reuters
  • Dancers perform during the official closing ceremony. EPA
    Dancers perform during the official closing ceremony. EPA
  • Artists perform during the closing ceremony of Expo Dubai 2020. Reuters
    Artists perform during the closing ceremony of Expo Dubai 2020. Reuters
  • Fireworks and lightshow at the closing of Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Fireworks and lightshow at the closing of Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Fireworks and lightshow at the closing of Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Fireworks and lightshow at the closing of Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Fireworks and lightshow at the closing of Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
    Fireworks and lightshow at the closing of Expo 2020 Dubai. Ruel Pableo for The National
  • Norah Jones performs during the Expo 2020 Dubai closing ceremony on Thursday night. Getty Images
    Norah Jones performs during the Expo 2020 Dubai closing ceremony on Thursday night. Getty Images
  • An artist performs in the spectacular Al Wasl Dome during the ceremony. Reuters
    An artist performs in the spectacular Al Wasl Dome during the ceremony. Reuters
  • Christina Aguilera was among several international artists who performed on Thursday night. Getty Images
    Christina Aguilera was among several international artists who performed on Thursday night. Getty Images
  • Christina Aguilera lights up Al Wasl Dome. Getty Images
    Christina Aguilera lights up Al Wasl Dome. Getty Images
  • Artists perform during the ceremony. Reuters
    Artists perform during the ceremony. Reuters
  • A spectacular show featuring hundreds of performers brought the curtain down on the world's fair. Reuters
    A spectacular show featuring hundreds of performers brought the curtain down on the world's fair. Reuters
  • A full orchestra was among the performers in Al Wasl Dome. Reuters
    A full orchestra was among the performers in Al Wasl Dome. Reuters
  • The stunning stage for the closing ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai is set. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The stunning stage for the closing ceremony of Expo 2020 Dubai is set. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Thousands of visitors enjoyed Expo's farewell night. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Thousands of visitors enjoyed Expo's farewell night. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Organisers pulled out all the stops for a memorable finale. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Organisers pulled out all the stops for a memorable finale. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • The show could be seen from around the Expo site. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The show could be seen from around the Expo site. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • A big screen showed the spectacle to visitors around the site. Antonie Robertson / The National
    A big screen showed the spectacle to visitors around the site. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Musicians perform before the closing ceremony. Reuters
    Musicians perform before the closing ceremony. Reuters
  • People visit the Saudi Arabia pavilion on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. AP
    People visit the Saudi Arabia pavilion on the last day of Expo 2020 Dubai. AP
  • The interactive floor at the Saudi Arabia pavilion. AP
    The interactive floor at the Saudi Arabia pavilion. AP

UAE

Expo City Dubai

Fireworks, concerts and a mesmerising show bring down the curtain on Expo 2020 Dubai

The six-month expo saw close to 25 million visits

The National

March 31, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

A spectacular show featuring hundreds of performers, concerts by global stars and stunning firework display brought the curtain down on the world's fair on Thursday night.

The Expo 2020 closing ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza saw outstanding performances by global pop star Christina Aguilera, singer-songwriter Norah Jones and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. The show also featured a remix of the Expo 2020 Dubai's official This is Our Time. The new version of the song was symphonic and recorded with a large choir.

In an audio message played at the closing ceremony, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, hailed the success of Expo 2020 Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed said the expo offers the opportunity of “a new beginning” for the UAE and the world.

The baton for the next expo was handed over to the Japanese city of Osaka, which will host it in 2025.

The celebrations continued throughout the night, bringing an end to the 'greatest show on Earth' after six months of colourful and spectacular festivities that saw close to 25 million visits.

Follow the latest developments below.

Updated: June 06, 2023, 10:57 AM
Expo 2020 DubaiDubai