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It has been eight years since Dubai’s bid to host Expo 2020 won over the World Expo appointment panel in Paris in 2013, and now, the whole city is on the edge of its seat as the greatest show is finally here.
Far from being an adults-only destination, there is plenty going on that families with kids, will really enjoy, too.
From playgrounds, family areas and child-friendly dining to countless brilliant activities, Expo 2020 promises something for the whole gang.
Plus, over the 173 days of Expo 2020, there will be more than 60 family-friendly shows taking place every day, including pop-ups, one-off events, parades, surprises and guest appearances. Heaps of fun for little kids and big kids alike – we’re looking at you mums and dads.
Best of all, kids under 18 as well as students who can show a valid student ID card, will get unlimited access for free throughout the whole six months.
Day passes for adults are Dhs95, but until October 15 you can buy an October Pass, which will last you the entire month for Dhs95 in total.
Kicking off on Friday October 1, 2021 and running until Thursday March 31, 2022, Expo 2020 promises heaps of fun for the entire family, but to make things easier – and to help you plan your visits – we’ve rounded up the must-see, must-visit and must-try attractions, events and activities for families.
What is Expo 2020 Dubai?
The World Expo series has been running since 1851, when the first event – then called the Great Exhibition – took place in London.
Shows take place every five years and represent a global gathering of nations dedicated to creating solutions to the most pressing matters of the day, engaging with visitors – who often flock in their millions to attend – via engaging, immersive and interactive activities.
The Dubai instalment will be the first ever to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, underlining the UAE’s place at the forefront of discussions that are shaping how we harness the potential of, and engage with, the living world, as well as our impact on it.
What’s happening at Expo 2020 Dubai?
A total of 192 countries will descend on Dubai in a worldwide sharing of culture and innovation. Participating countries have been given the opportunity to set up shop at their very own pavilion to showcase how their nation is contributing to critical global debates on hotly discussed issues.
Expo 2020 has three core themes – namely Sustainability, Mobility and Opportunity – and these are explored in a variety of ways across three dedicated districts.
Do I need to be vaccinated?
Anyone over 18 who is entering the Expo 2020 Dubai site must show they have received a coronavirus vaccine that is recognised by their own national government, or have had a recent PCR test taken within 72 hours. If you’re not vaccinated and have not been tested within the 72-hour period, you can get a test at the PCR testing facility adjacent to the Expo 2020 Dubai site.
The best country pavilions for kids
Australia
Kiddos, get ready to say G’day to the men and women from the Land Down Under. Australia’s Expo 2020 pavilion comes complete with a music stage at its entrance, so families can expect plenty of live performances, musicians and dancers to throughout the six-month run of the world fair.
China
Boasting the largest country pavilion at the show, China’s impressive pavilion has floated into town in the shape of a traditional lantern. It is home to a fusion of ancient innovations cast in a modern light, but you’ll want to keep the kids up late because it is after dark that this behemoth structure comes to life, delivering a dazzling digital light show on its façade that will mesmerise the little ones.
Jamaica
Shipping containers take centre stage at Jamaica’s spontaneous street party-style pavilion where kids can enjoy a bit of a boogie. Plus, families will come face to face with some of the nation’s greatest sports people (fingers crossed Bolt himself is racing into town in the next six months) as they learn their stories and revel in the country’s rich art and history. Inside the music studio you can educate the youngest family members about what real music is by tuning into the likes of Bob Marley.
Luxembourg
Take a trip to the Luxembourg Pavilion, easily one of Expo’s most aesthetically appealing pavilions. Luxembourg’s space is designed to reflect the country’s ideas of openness, taking the shape of a Möbius ribbon, an infinite form. But what incredible architecture aside, mini thrill-seekers will want to come back to this pavilion time and again for something else. You can forget walking back down the stairs of the three storey pavilion, and instead enjoy a unique view of Expo 2020 as you whizz down a transparent slide on the building’s exterior. Okay, maybe this one isn’t just for the kids…
Seychelles
Kiddos can make like a mermaid and swim like a fish as they explore the bottom of the sea at the Seychelles pavilion. Get ready to go on a treasure hunt below the waves – you might just find Trident’s fork if you’re lucky. But it’s also a great way of teaching the kids about preservation as this is the strong theme that accompanies families through the swell. Kids will find the hunt as engaging as it is enriching.
Tanzania
Got little David Attenborough wannabes in the family? Head to the Tanzania stand for some serious animal magic. Home to Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, Tanzania is a popular destination for adventure tourists. Now, everyone can embark on a lifetime in the country’s Expo 2020 pavilion, all without having to set foot on an plane. Get the kids to try and spot some of the nation’s most elusive animals on a virtual safari, or enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Tanzanian fields.
The UAE (of course)
The final entry on this list, but an important pavilion you need to visit on your Expo exploration, after all, it’s the country your family calls home. The UAE pavilion showcases Emirati achievements (from construction the world’s tallest building to reaching Mars) and culture, and is set over four enchanting storeys.
Things the kids won’t want to miss
Discover more about Mars
Will humans really inhabit the red planet one day? Discover all about the UAE’s mission to land on Mars in 2021, where the Hope spacecraft will perform in-depth studies on the planet and its atmosphere. Best of all, there’s a brilliant Mars-inspired playground where kiddos can climb and crawl their way through the nets and bounce on the trampoline – all in the name of space exploration, of course.
Experience exercise gaming
As a mum or dad you’ll know all about the iPad, PlayStation, television battles that come with being a parent today. The constant nagging to get them off the sofa so they can go outside and be active. Expo 2020 is planning on showcasing the best of both worlds with the flourishing phenomenon of ‘exercise gaming’, which uses inventive ways to combine technology and activity to create the fitness crazes of the future.
Feast on crisps and fizzy drinks
OK, not something we would usually encourage you get the kiddos to do, but this is super fun. Potato chip brand Lay’s has teamed up with Pepsi to bring The Plus pavilion to Expo 2020. Inside, along with being surrounded by the tasty snack, guests can learn all about the history of the humble potato chip, and its journey from the farmer’s hand to crunchy crisps in a bag, as well as the recycling possibilities each bag brings. Similar to the bubbles in a can of soda, the pavilion’s Equalization Zone will seek to inspire those visiting to rise to the occasion, and advocates for gender equality through a sensorial football interaction.
Go on a school trip
There will be four tailor-made visits on offer for schools to visit Expo 2020. These educational journeys – titled The Universe in Motion, The World of Opportunities, The Sustainable Planet and The Legacy of the UAE – are designed to inspire students to help make the planet a better place. It’s a message with which we couldn’t agree more.
Hop into a time machine
Kids love Dr Who? The Egypt Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai has equipped its site with its very own time machine, and promises visitors a ride to remember as they screech through the ages to witness a future that has not yet been written. Look to the future kiddos.
Listen to robots perform Beethoven
The children might not get over-excited about the thought of listening Beethoven’s first, second or any symphony in fact, but mention that it is being played by a load of robots and you’ll have a completely different reaciont. Hear the legendary composer’s works in a brand new light – including electronic, acoustic and rock – as they’re brought to life by performing robots in the Germany Pavilion.
Meet the mascots
Kids will love meeting the super cute official mascots of Expo 2020 Dubai, namely a magical tree, two Emirati siblings and a trio of robots. Latifa is an inquisitive eight-year-old girl who dreams of becoming one of the world’s greatest inventors while her brother Rashid, nine, cares deeply for the environment and enjoys poetry, drawing, riddles and family tales passed down through the generations. The sibling duo, who represent the Emirati population, are joined by three helpful bots called Opti, Alif and Terra who symbolise Expo’s three main themes: opportunity, mobility, and sustainability. The family of mascots embark on a thrilling adventure through time and space to discover the meaning behind the next World Expo, inspired by Salama, an ancient Ghaf tree called who overlooks the site of Expo 2020 having been preserved throughout the construction.
Play and learn at The Sustainability Pavilion
Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion is a must-visit for families who will be taken on a journey through the wonders of the natural world, including an interactive walk through the roots of the forest and under the ocean. Best of all, little eco-warriors will get to learn all about the relationship humans have with nature and will discover the hidden harmful impacts of our choices have on the environment. The is aimed at visitors of all ages, but has been designed to particularly encourage kids to consider how what they do impacts directly on the environment with a view to showing them how their actions and choices impact the environment in order to empower them to make positive changes in their everyday lives. And once they’ve had their mind blown inside, they can head outdoors where they will discover a children’s playground.
Take a ride in a horizontal elevator
This one is very Roald Dahl. Take a look at the future in the world’s first ropeless elevator. The innovation uses magnetic technology and can not only move up and down like a traditional lift, but also side to side.
Play with a (robot) penguin
The Monaco Pavilion is home to a colony of robotic penguins. Kids can play a run and jump game with the aim of guiding a baby penguin back to safety past the dangers of the Arctic. There is a lesson to be learned here too, little ones will be able to understand how robotic baby penguins are used to observe penguin behaviour in the wild.
Read a collection of children’s stories
Children’s Tales from Around the World is a collection of both traditional children’s stories and folktales that celebrate the wonders of our planet and the human spirit. The stories – of which there are 33 in total all featuring words and phrases from 30 plus languages – have been chosen to help little ones between the ages of five and 12 explore new cultures, recognise common values, and develop a love of reading. So it’s a top choice if you have a little bookworm on your hands.
Take in the Expo mascot show
Head to Al Wasl Dome where Rashid and Latifa will be putting on a huge visual spectacular as they attempt to restore the planet following chaos and destruction caused by Mr Scrap.
Watch indoor rain
Kids don’t get to see much rain living in Dubai, but all that is about to change… for six months anyway. Witness indoor rainfall in the Netherlands Pavilion thanks to technology SunGlacier, which produces water from air via solar power to irrigate crops. Likewise, the Solar Air Water Earth Resources (S.A.W.E.R.) system in the Czech Republic Pavilion produces up to 500 litres of drinking and irrigation water from the air using nothing but sunlight, even in the harshest desert environments.
Dhs95 (one day), Dhs195 (30 days), Dhs495 (6 months, free (kids under 18 and students with a valid student ID). Oct 1 2021-Mar 31 2022. Dubai Exhibition Centre, expo2020dubai.com.
Where to eat
Hungry? Here are 13 home-grown Dubai restaurants set to keep Expo 2020 Dubai visitors fuelled up throughout their experience.
Al Farwania
Even if you miss the Diwali (November 14) or India Republic Day (January 26, 2021) celebrations at Expo 2020, there will be plenty of ways to explore India at The World’s Greatest Show, including a line-up of food festivals, literary shows, music and dance at the India Pavilion. Meanwhile, this budget-friendly Umm Suqeim stalwart will be a permanent fixture, serving up its usual favourites including karak tea and egg dosa.
Al Khabbaz
Head to this bakery spot (formerly of Dubai Festival City) for manakish, topped with all the usual offerings including zaatar, keshk and spicy cheese.
Al Reef Bakery
One of Dubai’s oldest (and easily most legendary) Lebanese bakeries will also be slinging out manakish, and if you don’t know why Al Reef has such a reputation, you’re not doing Dubai right. It will also be a place to pick up samosas, pizzas and desserts including kunafeh and maamoul. An absolute must-try.
Arabian Tea House
Founded more than 20 years ago by Ali Al Rais, this Al Fahidi favourite showcases Emirati cuisine in Dubai’s historic neighbourhood, and is a popular stop-off for tourists in the city. Get a real sense of UAE hospitality here, and try traditional dishes including machboos, and date dhibs-drizzled luqaimat. Sweet.
Dampa Seafood Grill
One of Dubai’s best-known and loved Filipino restaurants, famed for its grilled squid and Cajun marinade, not to mention its ‘dump’ – a pile of fresh seafood deposited in the centre of the table for diners to tear into at will. Fun.
Doh
Currently a food truck in Al Barsha South, Doh serves coffee, shakes and freshly made mini doughnuts slathered in a range of wet toppings ranging from sweet Nutella or dark chocolate to savoury zataar or labneh. Once you’ve picked your glaze, cover it in sprinkles of biscuits, nuts, or go local with spicy Chips Oman or sesame seeds.
Firas Sweets
A familiar landmark on Dubai’s 2nd December Street, Firas Sweets is a go-to for Middle Eastern and Indian desserts, including kunafeh and baklava, and a mean halawet el jibn (try it). You’ll need all that sugar to keep you going as you explore Expo 2020’s incredible pavilions.
Seashell Cafeteria
A local institution, renowned for its incredibly diverse, colourful assortment of fruit juices. Get a handful of your five-a-day, plus a great shot for the ’gram. Try concoctions including the Abood (mango, melon, carrot and ice-cream) and Mahara (avocado, strawberry and ice-cream) mocktails. Hungry? The bestselling Hassan Mathar, an unapologetically excessive burger-shawarma, will take care of that.
Majlis Café
You may think you’ve tried every alternative to cow’s milk, from almond to oat, but have you tasted camel’s milk? This camelicious café will be serving its signature ice creams, coffees and milkshakes – all made from nutrient-rich camel milk. Unmissable. For more camel meat- and milk-based dishes, take a look at this.
Saj 2 Go
The humble saj has been around for centuries – Lebanese bakery Saj 2 Go uses the traditional method of flattening dough by hand and baking on a dome-shaped oven. It’s a great grab-and-go choice for those attempting the impossible task of squeezing everything Expo has to offer into one visit. Try the zataar with vegetables option.
The Irish Village
One of Dubai’s best-known, and most-awarded pubs, The Irish Village is a local landmark, famed for its hearty menu of classic Gaelic pub grub, and regular live entertainment. Expect familiar hospitality, live sports and a mix of local and big-name artists when The IV opens at Expo 2020 Dubai.
The Mattar Farm
Smell that? Meet the city’s superior smokehouse. The Mattar Farm is a Dubai cult favourite – and its Time Out Market Dubai establishment marked the very first permanent dine-in location for a brand that is as well known for its aroma as its succulent slices of 18-hour smoked brisket. Helmed by pitmaster (and all-round personality) Hattem Mattar, the team serves up stupefyingly tasty, generously portioned artisan smoked meats, from rich, fall-apart pastrami to spicy beef chorizo, available plated or between buns. It’s mighty, it’s messy, and it’s absolutely magnificent. Oh, and you’ll find it at Expo 2020 between now and the end of March.
Twisty Treats & Rogue Coffee
Twisty Treats will be offering a range of ice creams, plus churros and pretzels. Those looking for their caffeine kick to see them through a full day and evening of entertainment and celebrations, should head to Rogue Coffee for a Spanish latte. And given Expo 2020 is all about innovation and new ideas, Al Samadi will also be launching its new concept, Hummus Spot, on site during the event.
