In photos: 20 shows you simply cannot miss at Expo 2020 Dubai

No two days will be the same at The World’s Greatest Show – think listening to a moving Chopin piano concert one day then being thrust into a lively Khaleeji jam the next. Here is your once-in-a-lifetime chance to groove along to artists, from Nancy Ajram to K-Pop idols, touching down at Expo 2020 Dubai; the show is opening its doors with a fabulous star-studded ceremony, after all. Diverse performances can be enjoyed at any one of Expo’s ten dedicated event venues on site. If you can’t keep up, then take a look at our curated list of 20 shows that we think you will be absolutely loath to miss.

OPENING CEREMONY – When: September 30, 2021 | Time: 7.30pm | Where: Al Wasl Plaza or Expo 2020 TV – A spectacular ceremony, featuring stars and exceptionally skilled performers, will mark the official opening of the World Expo. Taking place in the glittering Al Wasl Plaza, also known as the beating heart of Expo, the 90-minute show is booked to the brim with global and regional stars performing – we’re talking Ellie Goulding, Hussain Al Jassmi, Lang Lang, Almas and many more. The all-women Firdaus Orchestra is also making its debut here. Invites are for VIP guests only, but fret not, you can tune into the live ceremony from the comfort of your home via Expo 2020 TV (www.expo2020dubai.com/en/news/expo-tv) or catch all the live updates on Gulf News.

OUSHA & THE MOON – When: Daily | Time: Every evening for 10 minutes | Where: Al Wasl Plaza – Among eight shows set to bring the massive 360-degree dome to life, there is one you must stop by to witness when the sun goes down. On its projection surface, one of the biggest in the world, Al Wasl Plaza will tell the inspirational story of Ousha Bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi, the Emirati poet who swallowed the moon in an auspicious dream at the age of 12. For the first time ever, Ousha’s fantastical dream will be illustrated for the global visitors of Expo 2020 Dubai.

THE FUTURE OF FOOD: EPOCHAL BANQUET BY BOMPAS & PARR – When: Daily | Time: 1pm, 6pm, 9pm | Where: Opportunity District – Ever heard of a theatrical dinner show? In this futuristic restaurant, you will be feasting on alien-looking food – though rest assured, Sam Bompas of Bompas & Parr promises it is delicious. The two-hour long show will put the lightest dessert in the world among other culinary challenges on long banquet tables, transporting you to 300 years into the future. Bookings for the communal feast can be made on the official website (www.expo2020dubai.com), with prices starting from Dh575.

LATE NIGHTS @ EXPO – When: Every Thursday and Friday | Time: 10.30pm to 1am | Where: Jubilee Stage or Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre – Musicians from across borders will come together to stage late night jams for the lingering Expo audience, two days a week. Swing by to see Dubai-based artists perform such as Jordanian singer-songwriter Dina Stars, funk-rock band Carl & The Reda Mafia, Jaye & Foe, a six-piece multi-instrumentalist band known for their brassy, jazzy tinged folk sounds with elements of reggae, ska and gypsy rhythms, and Colombian Latin-pop singer Fatiniza.

EXPO BEATS – When: Monthly from October to March 2022 | Time: 4pm for eight hours | Where: Jubilee Stage – Starting October 7 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, this monthly festival will take you through the world on a cultural and musical fiesta. Besides music sessions, there are dances and spoken word performances slotted for the visitors. You will listen to a blend of genres from ‘Tribal Beats’ to ‘Island Beats’, starring Indian dream-pop duo Parekh & Singh, UAE-based Arab band As Per Casper, NOON, another UAE-based trio known for funk grooves, and many more.

CELEBRATE PAKISTAN WITH ATIF ASLAM – When: October 9 | Time: 8.30pm to 10.30pm | Where: Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre – Pakistani playback singer Atif Aslam, known for his soulful vocals layering several movies, will be marking a Pakistan-focused music event.

JALSAT @ EXPO – When: Once a month from October to March 2022 | Time: 8.30pm to 10.30pm | Where: Jubilee Stage – Experience Khaleeji jam sessions at Expo on Jalsat Nights starting from October 12 onwards every month. Thirty artists from the Arab world will be joined by musicians from other cultures to stage a fantastic fusion, capturing Expo’s spirit for connectivity. Here are the dates for the remaining months: November 8, December 6, January 12, February 9 and March 15.

FLANGR – MUSIC WITH SPACE SOUNDS – When: October 21 | Time: 3pm to 3.40pm | Where: Jubilee Stage – Listen to the sounds of the Orion Nebula as decoded by the Chilean pop artist Flangr. The nebula’s sound waves were captured by Observatory ALMA and infused into the musician’s astronomy-inspired space tunes, making him the first in the world to do so.

FIRDAUS ORCHESTRA – When: October 23, November 16, November 20, January 13, February 3, March 8 | Time: 3pm or 7pm or 8pm | Where: Jubilee Stage or Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre – A powerful all-women ensemble of 50 musicians was specially curated for Expo 2020 Dubai, one by the name of Firdaus Orchestra. See the group perform starting October 23 at major venues and special ceremonies throughout the six months. And to add to the excellence, the orchestra is creatively led and mentored by Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman.

INFINITE NIGHTS WITH KADIM AL SAHIR – When: October 15 | Time: 10pm to 12am | Where: Al Wasl Plaza – Renowned superstar Kadim Al Sahir is opening the Infinite Night series in October. A star-studded line-up will stage performances at Al Wasl Plaza, but visitors at the Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre and Jubilee Stage will also get to tune in via supersized screens. Millions around the world not present at Expo can watch the magic happen live through Expo 2020 TV and other streaming channels.

HALLOWEEN @ EXPO ‘A MUSICAL HALLOWEEN’ – When: October 31 | Where: Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre – One of many special events marking the Expo six-month run is the Halloween musical celebration. The spooky season will be made even spookier with a look back on some of the most terrifying tunes, from Phantom of the Opera to Thriller, in a 60-minute soundtrack.

NASHEED AL WASL – When: January 17, January 23, February 6, February 27, March 13, March 20 | Time: 11am and 1pm | Where: Jubilee Stage – A student choir will perform in a series of 30-minute choral concerts in January, February and March. These select UAE school students have been trained to stage snippets of the Emirates’ first-ever opera Al Wasl accompanied by the SharQ Orchestra.

STEP AFRIKA! – When and where: October 3 to 6 at Jubilee Stage, October 7 to 9 on Earth Stage – One of the top ten African-American dance companies in the United States is coming to Dubai with a series of thrilling dance numbers, showing off their ‘stepping’ moves. Expect their infectious energy to draw you in as they enlist audience members to participate with them.

JAVIER CAMARENA ON MEXICO NATIONAL DAY – When: November 10 – Mexico’s Expo-allotted national day will be spectacular with Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations. There is another treat for the ears with tenor opera singer Javier Camarena belting out his encore-worthy songs. See for yourself why the Mexican performer received multiple encores at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

CHOPIN PIANO COMPETITION LAUREATE CONCERT – When: November 11 | Time: 7.30pm to 11pm | Where: Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre – Held every five years in Warsaw, the International Chopin Piano Competition honours the works of legendary Polish pianist Frédéric Chopin. Listen to the pieces played by winners of the competition at Expo 2020 Dubai in a laureate concert hosted by the Poland Pavilion.

INFINITE NIGHTS WITH NANCY AJRAM AND RAGHEB ALAMA – When: November 12 | Time: 10pm to 12am | Where: Al Wasl Plaza – In November, the Infinite Nights series will return with two megastars from the Arab world. Performances by both Nancy Ajram and Ragheb Alama will be streamed to millions from Al Wasl Plaza.

FIDE WORLD CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP 2021 – When: November 24 to December 16 | Time: Full day | Where: Dubai Exhibition Centre – Expo 2020 Dubai is hosting the final round of the World Chess Championship 2021, a nail-biting showdown between Magnus Carlsen, the four-time world champion from Norway, and the winner of the Candidates Tournament, Russia's Ian Nepomniachtchi. Find out who gets crowned the best chess player in the world right from the hot seat.

K-POP CONCERT ON KOREA NATIONAL DAY – When: January 16, 2022 | Time: 7.30pm | Where: Jubilee Stage – In June KOTRA (Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency) appointed eight-member boy group Stray Kids as Korea Pavilion’s star ambassadors. Commissioner General Jeoungyeol Yu has confirmed that a concert starring K-Pop idols will commemorate Korea’s Expo-allotted national day. Stay tuned to find out if your favourite singers are coming to Dubai.

SIX60 ON NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL DAY – When: January 31, 2022 | Time: 9.30pm to 11.30pm | Where: Jubilee Stage – Bringing the sounds of Aotearoa to the UAE is five-piece Kiwi band Six60, who played to 50,000 fans in what was known as the biggest concert since the pandemic hit the world in April 2021.

WONTANARA MUSICAL ON GUINEA NATIONAL DAY – When: February 13, 2022 | Time: 8pm to 10pm | Where: Jubilee Stage – A word sourced from West Africa, ‘Wontanara’ translates to ‘We are united’ or ‘We are friends’. Indeed, the spirit of camaraderie will be reflected in the culturally steeped performances of the Wontanara ensemble focused on women and the youth. Commissioner General Gabriel Curtis says the best troupes from Guinea were gathered to stage the spectacle.