Dubai: While we wait at the edge of our seats for its commencement, Expo 2020 Dubai is inching slowly towards us with a giant catalogue of events, performances and activities. Among spots to keep an eye on are Al Wasl Plaza, Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), Jubilee Stage and Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre
Here's a list of some of the most interesting programmes happening from October to March in sports, music, entertainment and special events. Mark your calendars now for a fun time.
Sports
In the effort to advocate for physical well-being, Expo 2020 Dubai has set in motion an array of sports events running throughout the upcoming six months. Ranging from the largest jiu-jitsu lesson to netball, country pavilions are gearing up to host friendly, high-spirited competitions and games.
You can sit by the sidelines and enjoy netball and cricket exhibition matches or participate in rigorous Track and Field exercises. An exciting hybrid sport innovation of table tennis and football called 'teqball' will be introduced by Hungary this December. The icing on the cake this Expo, however, is the World Chess Championship to be hosted at the DEC in November. Don’t miss out on the chance to witness the exhilarating sport events planned for this Expo.
Key sport events and their start dates:
October
- October 9, 2021: Australia, Inter-pavilion Multi Sports Round Robin Tournament
- October 9, 2021: Australia, Exhibition Cricket Match
- October 14, 2021: Australia, AFL (Australian Football League)/Netball Skills and Drills
- October 16, 2021: Australia, Netball Exhibition Match
- October 17, 2021: Australia, Football Skills and Drills and modified games
- October 30, 2021: United States, Harlem Globetrotters
November
- November 3, 2021: Australia, daily 45-minute body transformation exercise classes
- November 5, 2021: Australia, Friday morning Expo Park Run Series
- November 6, 2021: Australia, Row the Emirates
- November 15, 2021: Brazil, World’s Largest Jiu Jitsu Lesson
- November 25, 2021 to December 16, 2021: FIDE World Chess Championship 2021
December
- December 2, 2021: Australia, Rugby 7s
- December 3, 2021: France, Shizen Sport Truck
- December 11, 2021: Australia, Weekend Aussie Sports BBQ
- December 20, 2021: Hungary, Teqball Activation
February
- February 15, 2022: Australia, E-Sports Evening
March
- March 16, 2021: Australia, Sports Classes with Regional Leading Female Athletes
Music and Entertainment
Reviving the spirits of all those who come to watch, musical performances and other entertainment events will be conducted by different countries across Expo. Performers across the globe take centre stage as they showcase their creative and artistic talents at the Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre, Jubilee Stage and many more.
The festivities are unending. There are concerts by an all-women orchestra led by AR Rahman, for instance, and New Zealand band Six60. For those who prefer visual entertainment, street theatre, film and dance performances will be right up your alley. There’s a recreational show for everyone; from toddlers and pre-teens to adults and grandparents.
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Events and their start dates:
October
- October 8, 2021: Saudi Arabia, Family Show Theatre
- October 12, 2021: Jalsat Nights
- October 14-15, October 21-22 and October 28-29, 2021: Late Nights @ Expo
- October 14 to October 16, 2021: Lusophonia Festival
- October 22, 2021: Lithuania, Gala Concert
- October 23, 2021: All-Women Firdaus Orchestra
- October 31, 2021: Entertainment Halloween Hero Event
November
- November 4-5, November 11, November 13 and November 25-26, 2021: Late Nights @ Expo
- November 5, 2021: Spain, Miguel Trapaga 'The Spanish Guitar'
- November 8, 2021: Jalsat Nights
- November 11, 2021: Poland, Chopin Competition Laureate concert
- November 13, 2021: Monaco, jazz concert
- November 16, 2021: All-Women Firdaus Orchestra
- November 21, 2021: Hungary, Félix Lajkó violin concert
December
- December 2-3, December 9, December 11, December 23-24 and December 30, 2021: Late Nights @ Expo
- December 6, 2021: Jalsat Nights
- December 18, 2021: Sri Lanka, Fashion Show Theatre
- December 18, 2021: Arabic Language Day Hero Event
- December 19, 2021: Al Burda Festival
January
- January 2, 2022: Iran, Children’s Entertainment: Storytelling and puppet show
- January 12, 2022: Jalsat Nights
- January 17 and January 23, 2022: Nasheed Al Wasl (Student Choir)
- January 28 to January 31, 2022: New Zealand, Live Street Art
- January 31 to February 2, 2022: New Zealand, 'The Royal Family' dance performance
- January 31, 2022: New Zealand, band Six60 represent 'Sounds of Aotearoa'
- January 6, January 8, January 13-14, January 27 and January 29, 2021: Late Nights @ Expo
February
- February 3, February 4-5, February 11-12 and February 24-25, 2021: Late Nights @ Expo
- February 6 and February 27, 2022: Nasheed Al Wasl (Student Choir)
- February 9, 2022: Jalsat Nights
- February 13, 2022: Guinea, 'Wontanara: A Mixed Cultural Tour of Guinea'
- February 17 to February 19, 2022: Spain, 'Mulïer' street theatre
March
- March 3, March 5, March 17-18, March 24-25 and March 31, 2021: Late Nights @ Expo
- March 13 and March 20, 2022: Nasheed Al Wasl (Student Choir)
- March 15, 2022: Jalsat Nights
- March 18 to March 22, 2022: Iran, Folk Music Band
International Days and special events
The Expo calendar is set to recognise noteworthy dates celebrated and acknowledged worldwide. International days serve to remind us of the global issues such as the inclusion of minority groups and climate change. During these six months, issues will be explored, discussed and dissected under a global platform that connects us all.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to celebrate special holidays namely the UAE's Golden Jubilee, Christmas, Chinese New year, Diwali, International Women’s Day and Valentine’s Day.
Events and their start dates:
October
- October 16, 2021: World Food Day
- October 31, 2021: World Cities Day
November
- November 3, 2021: UAE Golden Jubilee Celebration
- November 14, 2021: Diwali
- November 16, 2021: International Day for Tolerance
December
- December 3, 2021: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
- December 5, 2021: International Volunteer Day
- December 10, 2021: Human Rights Day
- December 12, 2021: International Universal Health Coverage Day
- December 18, 2021: World Arabic Language Day
- December 21 to December 25, 2021: Christmas
- December 31, 2021: New Year’s Eve
February
- February 11, 2022: International Day of Women and Girls in Science
- February 12, 2021: Chinese New Year
- February 14, 2022: Valentine’s Day
March
- March 3 and March 31, 2022: Closing ceremony
- March 8, 2022: International Women’s Day
- March 20, 2022: International Day of Happiness
- March 21, 2022: Mother’s Day
- March 22, 2022: World Water Day
National and honour Days
To honour the 191 countries participating in this year’s Expo, each country will receive a special ceremony at Al Wasl Plaza to appreciate their contributions towards Expo 2020. While country participants celebrate their allocated national days, certain intergovermental bodies will be spotlighted on Honour Days as well. The National and Honour Days will include a flag ceremony with the country’s national anthem playing alongside it.
Post this, a spectacle of the country’s cultural performances including dance, music and other festivities will be in the limelight at the Stage of Nations. Dedicating a day to each of the countries present at this year’s Expo aligns with one of the Expo’s core principles to be ‘Multinational, Multicultural and Inclusive.’ The Expo 2020 is a great way to expose and emerge yourself in the abundance of cultures coming together from around the world.
List of National and Honour Days sorted chronologically:
October
- October 2, 2021: Republic of France
- October 3, 2021: Republic of Uganda
- October 4, 2021: Ukraine
- October 5, 2021: Republic of Vanuatu
- October 9, 2021: Turkmenistan
- October 11, 2021: Gambia
- October 12, 2021: Kingdom of Eswatini
- October 13, 2021: Republic of Senegal
- October 14, 2021: Republic of Sierra Leone
- October 16, 2021: Commonwealth of Dominica
- October 17, 2021: Cote d’Ivoire
- October 18, 2021: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
- October 19, 2021: Republic of Guyana
- October 20, 2021: Republic of Panama
- October 21, 2021: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- October 22, 2021: Republic of Lithuania
- October 23, 2021: Honour day - European Union
- October 24, 2021: Honour day - United Nations
- October 25, 2021: Republic of Maldives
- October 26, 2021: Negara Brunei Darussalam
- October 27, 2021: Kingdom of Lesotho
- October 28, 2021: Republic of Seychelles
- October 29, 2021: Switzerland Confederation
- October 30, 2021: Arab Republic of Egypt
- October 31, 2021: Republic of Finland
November
- November 1, 2021: Antigua and Barbuda
- November 1, 2021: Republic of Indonesia
- November 2, 2021: Federated States of Micronesia
- November 3, 2021: Kingdom of the Netherlands
- November 4, 2021: Kingdom of Tonga
- November 5, 2021: People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
- November 6, 2021: Federal Republic of Nigeria
- November 7, 2021: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
- November 8, 2021: Union of the Comoros
- November 9, 2021: Republic of Azerbaijan
- November 10, 2021: Republic of Burundi
- November 10, 2021: United Mexican States
- November 11, 2021: Republic of Colombia
- November 12, 2021: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
- November 13, 2021: Principality of Monaco
- November 14, 2021: Syrian Arab Republic
- November 15, 2021: Federative Republic of Brazil
- November 16, 2021: Mongolia
- November 16, 2021: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis
- November 17, 2021: Plurinational State of Bolivia
- November 18, 2021: Republic of Haiti
- November 18, 2021: Lao People’s Democratic Republic
- November 19, 2021: Republic of Austria
- November 20, 2021: Republic of Malawi
- November 21, 2021: Sultanate of Oman
- November 22, 2021: Republic of Belarus
- November 23, 2021: Republic of Lebanon
- November 24, 2021: Republic of Italy
- November 25, 2021: Kingdom of Bahrain
- November 27, 2021: Republic of Latvia
- November 27, 2021: Republic of Suriname
- November 28, 2021: United States of America
- November 29, 2021: Federal Republic of Germany
- November 30, 2021: Belize
- November 30, 2021: Republic of Liberia
December
- December 1, 2021: Republic of Kazakhstan
- December 2, 2021: United Arab Emirates
- December 3, 2021:Independent State of Samoa
- December 3, 2021: Republic of Chile
- December 4, 2021: Russian Federation
- December 5, 2021: Kingdom of Thailand
- December 6, 2021: Gabonese Republic
- December 7, 2021: Republic of Poland
- December 7, 2021: Republic of Costa Rica
- December 8, 2021: Republic of Fiji
- December 8, 2021: Uzbekistan
- December 9, 2021: Republic of Honduras
- December 9, 2021: Republic of Palau
- December 10, 2021: Republic of Iraq
- December 11, 2021: Japan
- December 12, 2021: Republic of Equatorial Guinea
- December 12, 2021: Republic of Nauru
- December 13, 2021: Honour Day - ASEAN
- December, 2021: Kyrgyz Republic
- December 15, 2021: Kingdom of Sweden
- December 16, 2021: People’s Republic of Bangladesh
- December 17, 2021: Kingdom of Bhutan
- December 17, 2021: Republic of Mali
- December 18, 2021: Republic of Niger
- December 18, 2021: Bosnia and Herzegovina
- December 19, 2021: State of Qatar
- December 21, 2021: Republic of Togo
- December 21, 2021: Solomon Islands
- December 22, 2021: Republic of Tajikistan
- December 23, 2021: Democratic Republic of Congo
- December 26, 2021: Kingdom of Morocco
- December 28, 2021: Republic of Kiribati
- December 29, 2021: Georgia
- December 30, 2021: Socialist Republic of Vietnam
January
- January 1, 2022: Republic of Yemen
- January 2, 2022: Nepal
- January 3, 2022: Sri Lanka
- January 4, 2022: Tunisia
- January 5, 2022: Sudan
- January 6, 2022: Tuvalu
- January 7, 2022: Saudi Arabia
- January 8, 2022: Malaysia
- January 9, 2022: Israel
- January 10, 2022: China
- January 11, 2022: Mauritania
- January 11, 2022: Chad
- January 12, 2022: Guinea-Bissau
- January 13, 2022: Barbados
- January 14, 2022: Portugal
- January 15, 2022: Djibouti
- January 15, 2022: Grenada
- January 16, 2022: South Korea
- January 17, 2022: Sao Tome and Principe
- January 17, 2022: Bahamas
- January 18, 2022: Nicaragua
- January 19, 2022: Malta
- January 20, 2022: Zambia
- January 21, 2022: Peru
- January 22, 2022: Singapore
- January 24, 2022: Cambodia
- January 25, 2022: El Salvador
- January 25, 2022: Baden-Wurttemberg
- January 26, 2022: India
- January 27, 2022: Slovakia
- January 28, 2022: Andorra
- January 28, 2022: Canada
- January 29, 2022: Australia
- January 30, 2022: Armenia
- January 31, 2022: New Zealand
February
- February 1, 2022: Rwanda
- February 2, 2022: Spain
- February 3, 2022: Cabo Verde
- February 4, 2022: Angola
- February 5, 2022: Belgium
- February 6, 2022: Montenegro
- February 7, 2022: Mozambique
- February 7, 2022: Iran
- February 8, 2022: Slovenia
- February 9, 2022: Bulgaria
- February 10, 2022: United Kingdom
- February 11, 2022: Philippines
- February 13, 2022: Guinea
- February 14, 2022: Cuba
- February 15, 2022: Serbia
- February 16, 2022: Kenya
- February 17, 2022: Denmark
- February 17, 2022: Kosovo
- February 18, 2022: Jamaica
- February 19, 2022: South Sudan
- February 20, 2022: Myanmar
- February 21, 2022: Uruguay
- February 22, 2022: Saint Lucia
- February 22, 2022: North Macedonia
- February 23, 2022: Norway
- February 24, 2022: Cyprus
- February 24, 2022: Madagascar
- February 25, 2022: Kuwait
- February 26, 2022: Tanzania
- February 28, 2022: Benin
- February 28, 2022: Papua New Guinea
March
- March 1, 2022: Romania
- March 2, 2022: Ethiopia
- March 3, 2022: Moldova
- March 3, 2022: Burkina Faso
- March 4, 2022: Paraguay
- March 5, 2022: Dominican Republic
- March 6, 2022: Croatia
- March 7, 2022: Somalia
- March 8, 2022: Ghana
- March 9, 2022: Albania
- March 10, 2022: Afghanistan
- March 10, 2022: Argentina
- March 11, 2022: Trinidad and Tobago
- March 12, 2022: Cameroon
- March 13, 2022: Botswana
- March 14, 2022: Zimbabwe
- March 15, 2022: Mauritius
- March 16, 2022: Honour Day – Gulf Cooperation Council
- March 17, 2022: Ireland
- March 18, 2022: Hungary
- March 19, 2022: Holy See
- March 20, 2022: Estonia
- March 21, 2022: Czech Republic
- March 22, 2022: DRC
- March 23, 2022: Pakistan
- March 24, 2022: Namibia
- March 25, 2022: Greece
- March 27, 2022: Marshall Islands
- March 28, 2022: South Africa
- March 29, 2022: Guatemala
- March 31, 2022: Honour Day – BIE Day
- The writer is an intern with Gulf News.
