With 192 pavilions, myriad exhibitions, hundreds of restaurants and non-stop activities, there are experiences for every taste at Expo 2020 Dubai.
Follow the latest updates on Expo 2020 Dubai here.
Each week, we round up some of the key highlights not to be missed at the world's fair. And with Christmas Day falling on Saturday, celebrations have already begun across the attraction with Expo 2020's chief event officer saying it is “the biggest site-wide event we’ve done so far”.
Celebrating their country days this week are Qatar (December 19), Solomon Islands (December 21), Togo (December 21), Tajikistan (December 22), Angola (December 22), Palestine (December 24) and Niger (December 24).
Here are our top picks of concerts happening this week:
1. AR Rahman and his entourage
The Oscar-winning Indian composer is deeply involved with everything Expo 2020 Dubai, with his all-women Firdaus Orchestra having wowed fans since the fair opened. Last month, Rahman's daughter Khatija Rahman even joined the orchestra on stage, delivering a breathtaking performance of one of her father's songs.
This week, Rahman will return with a powerhouse entourage who will help him run through his myriad hits. Performers who will share the stage with the acclaimed musician include Hariharan, Haricharan, Javed Ali, Andrea Jeremiah, Benny Dayal, Jonita Gandhi and Shweta Mohan.
Where: Jubilee Stage
When: Wednesday, December 22
Time: 8pm
2. Tamer Hosny Live
The Arab superstar, who last performed in the UAE at the Etihad Park in Abu Dhabi in July, will light up Expo 2020's Jubilee Stage with his old and new hits. The Egyptian singer and actor, who returned to the big screen earlier this year after a two-year absence with the dark comedy Mesh Ana, has more than 15 years of hits in his arsenal, and his performance is sure to be a treat for his fans.
Where: Jubilee Stage
When: Thursday, December 23
Time: 8.30pm
3. Jordan's Diana Karazon
The Jordanian pop star, who shot to fame after winning the reality talent show Superstar in 2003, will perform for fans the same night as Hosny, but on a different stage. Born in Kuwait, Karazon is also a well-known actress and television presenter in Jordan.
Where: Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre
When: Thursday, December 23
Time: 7.30pm
4. The poetry and music of Faraj Abyad
Born in Baltimore, Syrian tarab singer and musician Abyad has played in some of the most prestigious venues in the US – including the historic Symphony Space on Manhattan’s Broadway – revitalising the genre through his interpretations of classics by Farid El-Atrash, Umm Kulthum, Abdel Halim Hafez, Fairouz and Sabah Fakhri, as well as creating original pieces.
“The oud is now my main instrument because it’s always with me,” he told The National in an interview. “For me, and a lot of singers, the oud is used as support. When you sing and play the oud, you have to know when to give more space to the oud or your voice. How to let it complement your singing.”
Catch him on stage as he brings to life classical Arabic poetry of both the past and the present.
Where: Jubilee Stage
When: Friday, December 24
Time: 5pm
5. Double bill of London Community Gospel Choir and Naia Izumi
Fresh off their Royal Albert Hall Christmas concert, one of Europe's leading choirs is all set to bring some cheer to the Expo 2020 stage. Formed in 1982, London Community Gospel Choir has performed everywhere, from the International FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium to Glastonbury Festival.
In 2013, in celebration of their 30th anniversary, the gospel choir hosted a concert in London, bringing together 30 choirs from across the world to perform together as one, breaking a Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Mass Gospel Choir.
Following the group will be Naia Izumi, the American virtuoso guitarist and singer-songwriter from California who found fame busking the streets of Los Angeles, where he’d record his performances and post them to YouTube. He's now signed to Sony Masterworks.
Where: Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre
When: Friday, December 24
Time: 7.30pm
6. Lea Salonga returns
It's been more than 30 years since her historic debut in the West End hit Miss Saigon, but Filipina singer and actress Salonga still manages to sell out venues wherever she goes, including her last two performances at the Dubai Opera last year.
Now, Expo 2020 ticket holders have the chance to catch the performer – also known as the voice of Princess Jasmine in A Whole New World from the Disney classic Aladdin – as she shares the stage with singer and pianist Joe Stilgoe as well as the London Community Gospel Choir. It will be a Christmas Day treat for sure.
Where: Jubilee Stage
When: Saturday, December 25
Time: 8.30pm
Scroll through the gallery below for Christmas celebrations at Expo 2020 Dubai:
If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).
More on Quran memorisation:
Simran
Director Hansal Mehta
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey
Three stars
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
RACE SCHEDULE
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday, September 29
First practice: 7am - 8.30am
Second practice: 11am - 12.30pm
Saturday, September 30
Qualifying: 1pm - 2pm
Sunday, October 1
Race: 11am - 1pm
Tips for entertaining with ease
· Set the table the night before. It’s a small job but it will make you feel more organised once done.
· As the host, your mood sets the tone. If people arrive to find you red-faced and harried, they’re not going to relax until you do. Take a deep breath and try to exude calm energy.
· Guests tend to turn up thirsty. Fill a big jug with iced water and lemon or lime slices and encourage people to help themselves.
· Have some background music on to help create a bit of ambience and fill any initial lulls in conversations.
· The meal certainly doesn’t need to be ready the moment your guests step through the door, but if there’s a nibble or two that can be passed around it will ward off hunger pangs and buy you a bit more time in the kitchen.
· You absolutely don’t have to make every element of the brunch from scratch. Take inspiration from our ideas for ready-made extras and by all means pick up a store-bought dessert.
Notable Yas events in 2017/18
October 13-14 KartZone (complimentary trials)
December 14-16 The Gulf 12 Hours Endurance race
March 5 Yas Marina Circuit Karting Enduro event
March 8-9 UAE Rotax Max Challenge
The biog
Name: Salem Alkarbi
Age: 32
Favourite Al Wasl player: Alexandre Oliveira
First started supporting Al Wasl: 7
Biggest rival: Al Nasr
Ordinary Virtues: Moral Order in a Divided World by Michael Ignatieff
Harvard University Press
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202-litre%204-cylinder%20turbo%20and%203.6-litre%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20automatic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20235hp%20and%20310hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E258Nm%20and%20271Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh185%2C100%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How Beautiful this world is!
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Monster Hunter: World
Capcom
PlayStation 4, Xbox One
The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
RESULTS
6.30pm: Handicap (rated 100 ) US$175,000 1,200m
Winner: Baccarat, William Buick (jockey), Charlie Appleby (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap (78-94) $60,000 1,800m
Winner: Baroot, Christophe Soumillon, Mike de Kock
7.40pm: Firebreak Stakes Group 3 $200,000 1,600m
Winner: Heavy Metal, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.15pm: Handicap (95-108) $125,000 1,200m
Winner: Yalta, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.50pm: Balanchine Group 2 $200,000 1,800m
Winner: Promising Run, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
9.25pm: Handicap (95-105) $125,000 1,800m
Winner: Blair House, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
10pm: Handicap (95-105) $125,000 1,400m
Winner: Oh This Is Us, Tom Marquand, Richard Hannon
Result:
1. Cecilie Hatteland (NOR) atop Alex - 31.46 seconds
2. Anna Gorbacheva (RUS) atop Curt 13 - 31.82 seconds
3. Georgia Tame (GBR) atop Cash Up - 32.81 seconds
4. Sheikha Latifa bint Ahmed Al Maktoum (UAE) atop Peanuts de Beaufour - 35.85 seconds
5. Miriam Schneider (GER) atop Benur du Romet - 37.53 seconds
6. Annika Sande (NOR) atop For Cash 2 - 31.42 seconds (4 penalties)
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Review: Tomb Raider
Dir: Roar Uthaug
Starring: Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Daniel Wu, Walter Goggins
two stars
Profile Box
Company/date started: 2015
Founder/CEO: Mohammed Toraif
Based: Manama, Bahrain
Sector: Sales, Technology, Conservation
Size: (employees/revenue) 4/ 5,000 downloads
Stage: 1 ($100,000)
Investors: Two first-round investors including, 500 Startups, Fawaz Al Gosaibi Holding (Saudi Arabia)
Company profile
Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
if you go
The flights
Flydubai flies to Podgorica or nearby Tivat via Sarajevo from Dh2,155 return including taxes. Turkish Airlines flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Podgorica via Istanbul; alternatively, fly with Flydubai from Dubai to Belgrade and take a short flight with Montenegro Air to Podgorica. Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Podgorica via Belgrade. Flights cost from about Dh3,000 return including taxes. There are buses from Podgorica to Plav.
The tour
While you can apply for a permit for the route yourself, it’s best to travel with an agency that will arrange it for you. These include Zbulo in Albania (www.zbulo.org) or Zalaz in Montenegro (www.zalaz.me).
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Arctic Monkeys
Tranquillity Base Hotel Casino (Domino)
Last 10 NBA champions
2017: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-1
2016: Cleveland bt Golden State 4-3
2015: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-2
2014: San Antonio bt Miami 4-1
2013: Miami bt San Antonio 4-3
2012: Miami bt Oklahoma City 4-1
2011: Dallas bt Miami 4-2
2010: Los Angeles Lakers bt Boston 4-3
2009: Los Angeles Lakers bt Orlando 4-1
2008: Boston bt Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
'Ghostbusters: From Beyond'
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace
Rating: 2/5
