Crowds flock to Expo 2020 Dubai for National Day extravaganza

Free entry and packed schedule draw in thousands to celebrate Golden Jubilee

A spectacular fireworks display on the Corniche to mark the UAE's Golden Jubilee year in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Down below was a wonder that seemed to defy the laws of physics: a lake floating on a lake — the man-made stage for the hour-long show. Everyone in the UAE could watch the live show broadcast on all local TV channels, as well as on the National Day’s official website. Victor Besa/TheNational.

The Golden Jubilee show opened with the sound of drums rolling across the waters and reverberating through the peaks. From high in the hills came the sound of the nadba, the ancient cry of greeting of the Shihuh, the tribe whose home is the mountains of the Northern Emirates. Victor Besa/TheNational.

Live screenings were also organised in all seven emirates, in cinemas, cultural spaces, and public places. Victor Besa/TheNational

Broadcast live from Hatta Lake, the 50th National Day Celebration was a fitting extravaganza for a country that often goes above and beyond. Victor Besa/TheNational.

The UAE flag displayed on Burj Khalifa. Pawan Singh/The National.

Children enjoying the joy rides outside the Dubai Mall. Pawan Singh/The National.

ADNOC lit up with different images of the leaders to mark the year of the Golden Jubilee occasion, in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari/The National

A young boy waves the UAE flag from the dhow monument along the Corniche for the 50th National Day in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari/The National

Children waiting for the airshow display along the Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari/ The National

Proud Emirati children waiving the UAE flag along the Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari/ The National

Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, attend the Federal Supreme Council meeting, at the Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Palace. Photo: Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

The Al Fursan Air Display at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

A spectacular aerial display at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

Water Feature area at Expo 2020 Dubai during the 50th UAE National Day. Victor Besa/The National.

Rola Saheb from Dubai at the flag garden near Kite Beach. Pawan Singh / The National

A girl and a boy with UAE flag colours at Kite Beach, on Jumeirah Beach Road. Ruel Pableo / The National

Families spend time at Kite Beach on UAE National Day. Ruel Pableo / The National

A flag-carrying family cycle along Kite Beach. Ruel Pableo / The National

Young women on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi fly the country's flag for the 50th National Day. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Emirati families celebrate the UAE's National Day on the Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Emirati boys enjoy National Day in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

A young man's headgear is straightened for National Day. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Proud siblings wave the national flag on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai prepare to celebrate the UAE's 50th National Day. Victor Besa / The National

Brothers spend the country's anniversary at the world's fair. Victor Besa / The National

Festivities get under way with a colourful parade. Victor Besa / The National

The parade is a sea of colour and sound. Victor Besa / The National

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said the country had overcome huge challenges over the past 50 years. Victor Besa / The National

Live music adds to the party atmosphere. Victor Besa / The National

(L-R) Anju Jacob, Evelyn and Sebin Dcruz at the flag garden near Dubai's kite beach on the UAE’s 50th National Day. Pawan Singh / The National

Rola Saheb from Dubai at the flag garden. Pawan Singh / The National

Visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai on UAE National Day. Victor Besa / The National

Young Emiratis in costume for UAE National Day. Victor Besa / The National

A photograph is taken to mark the memorable occasion. Victor Besa / The National

Young people enjoy the special events. Victor Besa / The National

A series of events was held to mark National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

This little girl points the way forward. Victor Besa/The National

Servhub treated its employees to a National Day celebration at their accommodation in Jebel Ali. Ruel Pableo for The National

Servhub staff enjoy the occasion. Ruel Pableo for The National

The flag-raising ceremony gets under way. Victor Besa / The National

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and commissioner general of Expo 2020 Dubai, speaks after the flag-raising ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza. Victor Besa / The National

An Al Azi performance takes place. Victor Besa / The National

Visitors arrive at the world's fair – with masks on. Victor Besa / The National

People dressed to celebrate the UAE's special day arrive at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

Aircraft fly over The Founder's Memorial – a national tribute to the Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed – on the UAE's 50th National Day. Photo: Wam

Sadique Ahamed ran 50 kilometres in Abu Dhabi on National Day to show his appreciation and loyalty to the UAE. Photo: Wam

Live updates: follow the latest news on UAE National Day 2021

Visitors flocked to Expo 2020 on National Day for what was expected to be the world fair's busiest day yet.

Free tickets and a national holiday drew in tens, if not hundreds of thousands of people for the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Police band bagpipes and Khaleeji drums echoed along the parade route in a rousing spectacle for families who lined the streets, while a stunt jet fly-by drew gasps from the crowds.

A police officer wearing a jetpack even took to the air at the site's centrepiece, Al Wasl Plaza dome.

Mohamed Al Sheki, an Emirati from Dibba on the east coast, was thrilled by the packed schedule.

“Our National Day is very special to us — it's is a celebration of what we have achieved,” he said.

“We know more change is coming but we are excited about that. Some countries stay the same and don’t move forward but the UAE is not like other countries.

“I think in the next 50 years we won’t be on Earth any more!”

Families flooded from the metro to the main gates from shortly after 9am, with queues all the way back to the station doors at one stage.

At Saudi Arabia's pavilion, one of Expo's most popular attractions, 60,000 people had come through the doors by lunchtime — twice the normal daily visitor count.

Rubab Yousuf Ali, from India, is a social science teacher at Gulf Indian High School.

“Expo is like a dream and it will show what can be achieved by holding this event. I’m sure other countries will want to host Expo once they see how successful Dubai has been,” she said.

She has taught her pupils about the country's rapid growth in the past half century, and told them how there are few other countries to have seen comparable progress. Like nearly nine million other expats, she has made the Emirates home.

“Since 1971, there have been so many changes and many new job opportunities, that has been good for all of us,” she said.

“There is so much opportunity in the UAE, but most of all it is a safe place.

“I tell my pupils I can walk safely after 12 at night, that is the UAE.”

Emirati Hossain Al Shehhi, 27, an aircraft engineering student from Dibba, said the Golden Jubilee was the latest landmark in the story of his country.

After sending a probe to Mars and an astronaut to the International Space Station, marking 50 years is just the next chapter.

“We want to compete with America and European countries and show we are just as good, if not better. To see the world come to visit us at Expo makes us all very proud,” he said.

“People learn more and more about us every day they are here, and they feel safe. That in itself is something to be proud of.

“It is my first time to come to Expo, it is very busy but we really want to see the UAE Pavilion as it is very special for us all.”

Yousuf Ali, a 41-year-old from India, has been in the UAE for 15 years and is an accountant. He lives in Deira.

“This celebration is important as we call the UAE our second home. We love this country and want to show that by wearing the colours of the flag.

“There has been so much change in my time here, and my family has grown up here so it means a lot to me to call the UAE home.”

Watch: Dubai Police perform a gravity-defying jetpack show at Expo