Expo 2020 Dubai grand finale: From airshows to fireworks and food, 11 things to do on the last day

Six months on, Expo 2020 is getting ready for its final curtain call. There have been more than 30,000 events over the past 180 days – everything from Coldplay to AR Rahman – and now, the show, dubbed the world’s greatest, is ending its stint on a high note, complete with fireworks and grand acts including performances by the likes of Christina Aguilera, Nora Jones and Yo-Yo Ma. Just this past weekend, more than a million visitors headed to the over 192 pavilions to see the latest in science and tech from various countries. In keeping with the theme of grand fair, the last day i.e. March 31, will see premises open from 10am till 3am the next day. Do you have your tickets yet?

March 31 is predicted to be a very busy day at Expo 2020 Dubai and so visitors should arrive early to avoid the rush. It’s encouraged to use the many public transport options, including the Park & Ride service from Jebel Ali Metro Station. The Dubai Metro will also be open for 24 hours.

The official closing ceremony will be from 7pm to 8pm at the iconic Al Wasl Plaza. The guest list is limited to ‘VIP guests’, school children aged seven to nine. Tareq Ghosheh, Expo 2020 Dubai chief events and entertainment officer, said: “Public and private school children who have been active participants, performers, contributors and innovators, will be our VIP guests because they are the generation of the future who will carry the legacy of Expo Dubai forward. We are empowering the leaders of tomorrow.”

A number of important moments from the Expo 2020 Dubai experience will be repeated — this includes the ‘Journey of the 50’ and highlights from the ‘Boy and the Horse’, and more.

In a spectacular air show between 4pm and 4.30pm, jets will paint the skies above the Expo site in a hue of colours. “This is going to be one thrilling sight by Fursan Al Emarat from the United Arab Emirates Air Force,” according to the Expo team.

It's your last chance to enjoy the Expo and the refreshments there. You'll be spoilt for choice with a range of restaurants and chains offering both fast-food and other dining options. From pizzas and rolls to traditional cuisines of UAE, Pakistan, India and more, you can try different kinds of foods here. You can also get tasty snacks and cool refreshments such as ice pops, gelato, ice cream and more.

As with all Dubai extravaganzas, the closing of Expo 2020 Dubai will be marked with grand firework displays from multiple locations. There will be one marking the start of the opening ceremony, a few minutes before 7pm. The second display is planned at 11.55pm while the third and final one is at 3am on April 1.

40 members of a UAE-based children’s choir will perform ‘Ishy Bilady’, the national anthem of the UAE, joined by the all-women Firdaus Orchestra, conducted by Yasmina Sabbah.

At 7pm, the ceremony will start with the young new global icon Mira Singh who was an integral part of the Expo opening ceremony in October. The focus of the show will be on the youth. There will also be a Sea of Nations segment, with countries waving their flags from their National Day celebrations.

For families, Mr Balloon Man will perform “jaw-dropping tricks and manipulations from within a bubble”, according to the Expo team. Visitors can catch his performance the Earth Stage in Sustainability District. He is set to wow audiences at 12.35pm, 2.50pm and 3.55pm.

Another one for families is the Air Head Show, put on by a multi-talented circus performer “who uses a huge balloon in different ways to create a unique spectacle involving amazing acrobatics”. Catch his show at the Sea Stage in Mobility District, at 1.05pm, 1.55pm and 2.45pm.

Grammy-winning cellist Yo-Yo Ma will play at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre from 8.45pm.

Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and pianist Norah Jones will entertain visitors with her own concert on the Jubilee Stage from 9pm.

Global Pop singer Christina Aguilera will present an extended performance on the Jubilee Stage from 10.45pm. 20 giant screens spread across the Expo site will be streaming the events.