DUBAI: Dubai will close the shutters on its internationally acclaimed Expo 2020 world fair on Thursday.
Millions of people have flocked to the Expo in its final days, pushing visit numbers over 23 million.
Long queues have formed at the most popular attractions, including the falcon-themed UAE pavilion and Saudi Arabia’s pavilion which has won an award within the best pavilion category, along with two honorary awards, following selection by the EXHIBITOR magazine.
The Kingdom’s pavilion won the award for the best pavilion in the category of large suites, as well as the honorary award in the category of best exterior design and best display.
Expo, which started with the 1851 Great Exhibition in London and has showcased innovations such as the telephone and microwave down the years, now moves to Osaka in Japan which will hold the next edition on a man-made island in 2025.
The closing ceremony promises a stellar lineup of performances.
A string of concerts will kick off at 7:00 p.m. with Indo Belarusian artist Mira Singh. Award-winning cellist Yo-Yo Ma will follow, playing a concert at Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre at 8:45 p.m.
Later, singer-songwriter and pianist Norah Jones will take to the Jubilee Stage at 9:00 p.m. to soothe audiences with chart-topping hits including “Come Away With Me” and “Don’t Know Why.”
Christina Aguilera will follow Jones at 10:45 p.m., and the concerts will come to a close with renowned Dutch DJ Tiesto, who will take the stage for an electrifying techno set from 11:45 p.m. through the early hours of April 1.
The concerts are free to attend for those with Expo tickets, and entry is based on a first come, first serve basis.
More than 20 giant screens will be installed across the Expo site to broadcast the performances.