Expo 2020 Dubai: 30 Fun things to do with the family over the long weekend

Meet the mascots: Meet siblings Rashid and Latifa; Alif - the Mobility Pavilion guardian; Opti - the Opportunity Pavilion guardian; and Terra - Sustainability Pavilion guardian at various spots at the Expo 2020 site including in 2020 Plaza in Al Wasl Zone, Sea Plaza in Mobility Zone, Sun Plaza in Opportunity Zone, and Earth Plaza in Sustainability Zone. DETAILS: 10am-12pm (Thursday, Friday and Saturday)

Check out Al Qatt Al Asiri and Tiles Painting at the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2020. Want to learn an ancient art? Walk over to the Saudi Arabia Pavilion to learn all about the craft of pattern-painting. The educational, interactive and demonstrative workshop will showcase exactly why this colourful practice got into the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. DETAILS: 10am-1pm, 5.30pm-9.30pm (Thursday); 10am-1pm; 5.30pm-9.30pm (Friday and Saturday)

Notre-Dame de Paris, the Experience. Now you can visit this famous medieval Catholic cathedral in Dubai – thanks to an immersive augmented reality experience set up at the France pavilion. This is one entertaining history lesson. DETAILS: 10am-10pm (Thursday, Friday and Saturday), exhibition is on until November 1.

Interactive Culture Lab sessions at Campus Germany. Dance and jive and play when you visit the German pavilion. There are interactive sessions, choreographed sequences to learn and quizzes to keep the kids interested. Or, you could challenge visitors to a duel on the Nintendo Switch. DETAILS: 12.30pm-6.30pm. (Thursday, Friday and Saturday)

Daily Parade at Ghaf Avenue. Witness a "Colours of the World" parade with genre-melding dances featuring international performers and musicians. DETAILS: Al Wasl Zone: 12.45pm-1.30pm. (Thursday, Friday and Saturday)

Check out amazing football tricks at the Baden-Wurttemberg Pavilion: Prepare to say ‘ooo’ and ‘aaa’ as you see Camill Hauser display a routine that combines football tricks, dance, acrobatics and music. DETAILS: 1pm-1.30pm; 3pm-3.30pm; 6pm-6.30pm (Thursday) 3pm-3.30pm (Friday); 1pm-1.30pm; 3pm-3.30pm, 6pm-6.30pm (Saturday)

Italian Baking Workshop by Bread Ahead Bakery and School Bread Ahead: Learn how to bake your own mouth-watering focaccia, ciabatta and grissini! Book an afternoon/evening course for Dh250 at +971 50 131 0278. DETAILS: 1pm-4pm in the Mobility Zone on Thursday

Manchester City Kids Camp by Manchester City: Help your child perfect that striker technique when he/she gets some professional help on this playing field. DETAILS: Aussie Park (5-Aside Football) Sports, Fitness and Wellbeing Area, from 2pm-5pm (Thursday); 12pm-6pm (Friday). | Photo for illustrative purposes only.

Tanoura Dancers. Catch some of the best Tanoura dancers in the world, spinning through the districts, their incredible skirts alight. DETAILS: Ghaf Avenue in Al Wasl Zone, from 2.30-4pm (Thursday, Friday and Saturday)

K-Food Event at the Republic of Korea Pavilion. Are you a Korean drama or a K-pop fan? Have your movie idols succeeded in making you want to try some Korean delicacies? If the answer to these questions is yes, head to this pavilion for an authentic taste of yummy traditional culinary delights such as Japchae (stir-fried noodles) and Kimchi (fermented vegetables). DETAILS: 3pm-4pm (Thursday, Friday and Saturday)

Turn Up and Play 3v3 Basketball. Can you dribble and bounce? Hone your – and your child’s – skill at a fun game with the Dubai Expo 2020 Team. DETAILS: Game on at the Multi-Purpose Sports court Sports, Fitness and Wellbeing Area from 3pm-7pm (Thursday)

Interactive tale about craft in Morocco: Learn about craft in the country with a magical tale about a heroic sister and courageous brother’s adventures. DETAILS: 4pm-5.30pm, 7pm-8.30pm; 8.30pm-10pm on Thursday; 2pm-3.30pm, 3.30pm-5pm, 5pm-6.30pm (Friday); 2.30pm-4pm; 4 pm-5.30pm; 5.30pm-7pm; 7pm-8.30pm (Saturday) at Morocco Pavilion.

The Sun! The Star! Check out this ode to the sun played out in musical style with a play at the Sun Stage in the Opportunity Zone DETAILS: 5.30pm-6pm; 6.30pm-7pm on Saturday.

The basics of recycled design: This interactive workshop for kids up to 19 years of age will teach them how to reuse and upcycle ordinary goods at home. This is DIY at its very best. DETAILS: Romania Pavilion Sustainability Zone from 5.30-6pm (Thursday and Friday) | Photo for illustrative purposes only.

Awakening of Al Wasl: The biggest 360-degree projection dome in the world comes to life in hues of purple and blue, red and orange, growing more vibrant as the sun sets and the night rolls in. DETAILS: 5.50pm-6.10pm; 5.48pm-6.08pm (Saturday).

Star gazing nights at France Pavilion: Prepare to be spellbound and enchanted. You’ll be transported into a deep space observation of galaxies and nebulae. Experience the wonderous colors and amazing detail through Unistellar’s ground-breaking telescope. 6.30pm-9pm on Saturday.

See the epic ‘Ousha & The Moon’ play out at Al Wasl Plaza at Expo 2020: Fantastic and nostalgic - tumble into the world of a 12-year-old girl’s dream. A place where the moon speaks and the threads of destiny are weaved. A look into the mind of a child born without speech, whose words would one day capture the heart of a nation. DETAILS: 6.35-6.50pm, 10.30-10.45pm (Thursday); 6.35pm-6.50pm; 10.30pm-10.45pm (Friday); 6.45-7pm, 10.30pm-10.45pm (Saturday)

Saudi Folklore Performance: Teach your children about Saudi Arabia by introducing them to its folklore. The Saudi Signature Performance Group will be putting on a vibrant dance representing various regions and Saudi folklores. They’ll be accompanied by traditional music, songs and chants. DETAILS: Saudi Arabia Pavilion, from 7pm-7.10pm; 9pm-9.10pm; 9.40pm-9.50pm (Thursday); 7.40-7.50pm; 8.20-8.30pm, 9-9.10pm, 9.40pm-9.50pm (Friday); 7pm-7.10pm; 7.40pm-7.50pm, 8.20pm-8.30pm (Saturday)

Doughnut Workshop by Bread Ahead Bakery and School Bread Ahead Mobility Zone: Turn a few basic ingredients into desserts of the finest calibre. For Dh250, you’ll be guided through the process of making doughnuts from start to finish. Book a two-hour evening course at +971 50 131 0278. DETAILS: 6pm-8pm on Friday and 1pm-4pm on Saturday.

DIY – upcycle your supermarket bags: Don’t junk your supermarket bags – recycle them! This interactive workshop for adults and children offers solutions to grocery bags that are often used once and disposed. DETAILS: Romania Pavilion from 7-7.30pm. (Thursday).

Mr Scrap Returns to Al Wasl Stage: See Expo mascots Rashid and Latifa battle it out with arch-nemesis Mr. Scrap with the fate of the planet hanging in the balance. DETAILS: 8.30pm-8.50pm on Thursday in Al Wasl Zone

Stars in the Wild. Experience the spirit of the wind as you are swept up by a magical fusion of dance, music and puppetry. Our mystical journey led by a Wise Man, his Oryx and a menagerie of colorful worldly creatures that live between dreams and reality. 10.30pm-10.50pm (Friday).

Witness Global Awakening at Al Wasl Plaza: For this immersive experience, walk through the garden at the heart of Expo and keep your ears open – you’ll hear the joyful laugh of children and sounds of nature. DETAILS: 9am-10.15am (Friday and Saturday)

Pick your sport and play at the Australian Pavilion. This field is for the whole family – choose the game you like, from cricket to netball to touch rugby and play. Follow it up with a hearty breakfast of sausages. DETAILS: At the Australia Big Bash Cricket Nets (1 and 2) Sports, Fitness and Wellbeing Area, from 9am-12am (Friday)

Rashid & Latifa’s World Adventure: Follow Expo’s leading characters as they make their way across the continents discovering new worlds where adventure awaits in this show. DETAILS: 3pm-3.30pm on Friday and Saturday at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre in Al Forsan Zone.

Catch a Family Show on Earth Stage: This production melds music, songs, puppetry, audience participation and digital screen content. It’s a dazzling cultural experience for the whole family. DETAILS: 5pm-5.30pm; 6.30pm-7pm; 8pm-8.30pm (Friday) in Sustainability Zone

Ultimate Pizza Workshop by Bread Ahead Bakery and School Bread Ahead: Learn how to make the perfect pizza at this masterclass in dough making. Book an afternoon/evening course for Dh250 at +971 50 131 0278. DETAILS: 6pm-9pm (Thursday) Mobility Zone

Sami Yusuf – Beyond the Stars: British singer, songwriter Yusuf will be joined by master musicians from around the world for a must-not-miss-this performance in Al Wasl Plaza. DETAILS: 8.30pm-10pm (Friday and Saturday)

Catch a Mascot Film on the Jubilee Stage: Enjoy your favourite episode of Rashid and Latifa’s adventures, just grab a seat and have a bite as you sit back and watch the story unfold on the big screen. This is the perfect family fun event. DETAILS: 5pm-5.30pm (Saturday)

Listen to the Firdaus Orchestra: This pioneering women’s ensemble was developed exclusively for Expo 2020 Dubai under the creative direction and leadership of Oscar-winner A.R. Rahman. DETAILS: Show to be held on the Jubilee Stage, from 7.10pm-8pm (Saturday).