The Legacy of Expo: Your Guide to Expo City Dubai

After the ending of “The World’s Greatest Show,” also known as Expo 2020 in Dubai, every lover of the show found himself or herself asking, ” What next?” Well, there was always a proper plan for it. The venue will become the large-scale, human-centric district of Expo City Dubai.

This guide covers everything we know about the community that will carry on Expo 2020’s legacy and spirit.

Expo City Dubai Master Plan

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the master plan for the new Expo City Dubai. The new development is now ready to be at the heart of Dubai’s future on the former site of the World Expo.

It would be a great asset to the 2040 Urban Master Plan, an icon of urban excellence worldwide, and a major centre for the D33 sectors of the Dubai Economic Agenda.

Phase-specific, with more than 3.5 square kilometres of space, Expo City Dubai will accommodate nearly 35,000 residents along with more than 40,000 professionals. The master plan has been done with the Dutch-based architecture and design firm UNStudio, which ensures more than 80 per cent maintenance of the infrastructure.

Five districts are planned, considering an efficient grid system that would be easily navigated, circulated, and accessible. Some of the places to be developed have been enlisted below.

Expo Downtown

This will begin from Al Wasl to the metro station.

Expo Fields

Expo Fields will have residential apartments suitable for a healthy lifestyle. These shall include a school, sports fields, retail shops, club houses, food and beverage outlets, and Alif Plaza.

Expo City Arena will be an outdoor venue specifically for concerts and festivals, with a capacity of thirty thousand patrons.

Expo Hills

Expo Hills is a low-density area that provides optimum amenities and the requisite privacy for residing. It is good for a laidback style of life, and Expo Hills Park will be the highlight of the district.

Expo Business

Some of the existing Dubai Expo City area will become Expo Business space. The free zone environment and strategic Expo City Dubai location will provide innovative and entrepreneurial businesses with a campus feel, focusing on sustainability and urban solutions.

Key highlights of this district include Firdaus Studio, Connect Conference Centre, a new 1,500-seat theatre, Art Plaza, and DP World’s new global headquarters.

There will be an Expo Market that provides fresh food, with options from farm-to-table straight from the farmers, restaurants, and cafes.

Expo Valley

Expo Valley’s preference for villas and townhouses within its sustainable smart communities, which offer a view of the Nature Sanctuary, Lake, and Wadi, would benefit the nearby area. This is the ideal place to raise a family. The folded earth design incorporates the least amount of noise from outside while creating microclimatic conditions that lower the temperature.

In addition to being an accessible walkway, the Expo Valley offers bike and e-scooter users wellness and recreational amenities like two clubhouses, two gyms, swimming pools, splash pads, and kid-friendly play spaces. It remains open to residents for convenient retail establishments and pop-up cafes serving farm-to-table meals.

Expo Forest

This would connect Expo Valley and Expo City. These are public open spaces filled with ghaf trees, cycling tracks, hiking trails, water features, and adventure play zones. The must-visit spots include greenhouses for urban farming and hands-on learning zones.

Local wildlife will be supported, as will habitat connectivity and biodiversity.

Expo High Street

Expo High Street’s pedestrian-first environment will host F&B ventures, cultural spaces, and cafes. It will pass through three districts.

Expo City Attractions

There are just so many attractions in Expo City Dubai that wait to be used by the visiting people. The following shall be there in your sight for some time here:

Terra: The Sustainability Pavilion

Understand how human decisions have repercussions on nature and the earth at Terra.

1. Price: AED 50. Free for people of determination and children less than 12 years
2. Location: District of Sustainability
3. Timings: Open from 10 am to 06 pm. (Last admission by 05:15 pm)

Alif – The Mobility Pavilion

Alif is the journey of Space and Time. Be among the first to be brought up to speed on the Arabs and the Emirates Mars Mission greatest.

1. Price: AED 50. Free for persons of determination and under 12 years.
2. Location: Mobility District
3. Timing: Open time from 10:00 am to 06:00 pm. (Last Entry at 05:15 pm)

Vision Pavilion

Know how Dubai became a cosmopolitan city? As with many projects in the UAE, the project is the realisation of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Discover stunning vistas, engaging exhibitions, and people’s experiences telling the tale of Dubai’s transformation over the years

1. Price: AED 50
2. Address: Sustainability District
3. Timings: Monday-Sunday | 10 am to 06 pm (Last entry at 05:30 pm)

Women’s Pavilion

It is a pavilion erected for women’s achievements and contributions to the future building.

1. Ticket: AED 50; free for people of determination and kids below 12
2. Location: Sustainability District
3. Timings: 10:00 am to 06:00 pm; Last entry at 05:15 pm

Stories of the Nation

Expo City Dubai also introduced the Stories of Nations exhibitions, which consisted of exhibits of memorabilia and musical instruments from the 200 participating countries of Expo 2020.

These exhibitions will help the visitors discover what Expo 2020 has different about it. Among the must-see products is a replica of a swing from the German pavilion and a product made of plastic bags gathered from Comoros Island, which happens to be a turtle. Most of these icons already have to be repatriated to their countries; more than 80 original objects, however, will remain in the exhibitions and be presented: sculptures and artefacts, musical instruments, artefacts, and textiles.

1. Entry fee: AED 50.
2. Location: Opportunity District | Sustainability District | Mobility District
3. Timing: Monday – Sunday | 10:00 am to 06:00 pm (Last entry at 05:30 pm)

Remember:

Kids under 12 and people of determination enter Stories of the Nation for free.

You do not need to purchase separate Stories of Nations tickets (AED 50) for each pavilion. One expo city dubai tickets grants access to all.

For AED 120, you can see all three of the Stories of Nations exhibitions

Garden in the Sky

Imagine viewing the city from a bird’s eye view due to the “flying park” or Secret Garden taking you up to 55 meters high, a natural setting, with the wooden deck tree-lined by greens and like one cool picture.

1. Price: AED 30. Free for individuals of determination and children younger than 2 years.
2. Location: Jubilee District
3. Timings: 2 pm to 10 pm. Closing Time at 9:45 pm

Around the World

Grab one of the youngsters’ favourites, an amazing Italian piece from the carousel at Expo City Dubai.

1. Price: AED 20, free for people of determination, kids less than 2 years
2. Location: Mobility District
3. Timing: 02:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Al Wasl Plaza

Another key attraction area of Expo City is home to the world’s largest 360° projection screen. Many exciting performances took place at Expo 2020 in Al Wasl Plaza ,including those by Alicia Keys and Coldplay.

1. Price: Free
2. Location: Al Wasl Plaza
3. Timings: Open 24 hours (Light projections from sunset until 01:00 am)

Surreal

Enjoy the spectacular musical performance, with water and fire, free of charge to all visitors at Jubilee District.

1. Price: Free
2. Location: Jubilee District
3. Timing: Open 24 hours

Things to do at Expo City Dubai

Outdoor and Wellness

Expo City comprises several wellness and outdoor activities and facilities that are consistent with its objective and visitor programs.

Rashid’s Adventures Playground

Kids can slide through shapes in the shape of whales, climb over structures in the shape of ocean liners, jump on spring-mounted sharks, and navigate through a 3D maze in the shape of an enormous humpback whale!

1. Location: Jubilee Park
2. Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday | 02:00 pm to 10:00 pm
3. Admission: Free

Taqa Island

Terra’s Taqa Island is a very energetic and playful space for kids, with science, technology, art, music, and sculpture. It enhances problem-solving skills and teamwork and raises the issue of welfare for the dwellers of our planet. So, it’s going to be a fantastic time for young minds.

1. Location: Sustainability District
2. Timing: Saturday and Sunday | 10:00 am to 06:00 pm
3. Entry: Free for kids under 12

Adventure Octopus Playground

For the fun and adventurous thing, head out to the Octopus playground outside Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion. The kids can pass through an incredible maze filled with ink clouds.

1. Location: Al Forsan Park
2. Timings: Monday to Sunday | 02:00 pm to 10:00 pm
3. Entry: Free

Latifa and the Space City Playground

Latifa’s playground is an excellent place for the kids to learn about the universe and planets. One cannot have enough fun in the playground as the kids will have a sliding, jumping, and bouncing time in space.

1. Location: Al Forsan Park
2. Timing: Monday to Sunday | 02:00 pm to 10:00 pm
3. Entry: Free

Al Forsan Park

Al Forsan Park is 2.2 hectares and has been designed according to the intricate designs of Arabian carpets. The park provides different exciting attractions, all connected by a well-designed network of pathways.

1. Location: Al Forsan Park
2. Timings: Open 24 hours
3. Entry: Free

Jubilee Park

This fantastic place will celebrate the 50th jubilee of the UAE, giving its garden a sense of greatness over time. Sky in the Garden is one of the types of towers that will provide view-filling panoramic photos around Expo City Dubai. It is a must-see for all those coming to the park.

1. Address: Jubilee Park
2. Time available: 24 hours/week
3. Price: Admission-free

Buy Expo City Dubai Tickets

The ticket for the Terra and Alif pavilions costs AED 50, as indicated on Expo City Dubai’s website. However, children under 12 and People of Determination are allowed to visit all these pavilions for free. They must collect their passes at any ticketing booth.

One Day Pass

It will be open to visitors of Expo City Dubai. Much can be included with a one-day ticket at AED 120;

1. Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion
2. Alif – The Mobility Pavilion
3. Vision Pavilion
4. Women’s Pavilion
5. All 3 Stories of Nations exhibitions

Free Expo City Dubai entry fee at Surreal and Al Wasl.

You can get tickets on Expo City’s website and in pavilions. This ticket is permitted on the day of the visitation for entry to one pavilion only.

These prices may change occasionally since ticket prices are influenced by several factors, as explained above.

Expo City Dubai Timing

Expo City Dubai timings are as follows:

1. Attraction timings: 10:00 am to 06:00 pm (Mon-Sun)
2. Booked school groups: 09:00 am to 06:00 pm

Expo City Restaurants you shouldn’t Miss

Tired after visiting the amazing pavilions in that district? Worry no more as you can acquire all from fast food to healthy bites. Have a look at the best restaurants Expo City Dubai has.

In this regard, a note requires attention: Al Fanar, WOFL, and The Mattar Farm have closed temporarily for summer reconstruction purposes.

Al Baik

Al Baik is another popular fast-food chain in Saudi Arabia. It now has an outlet in Expo City. Whether you like chicken burgers or fried nuggets, there is something for all tastes.

Location: Opportunity District, opposite Saudi Pavilion

Timings: 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm

B-Cafe

Relish the most authentic coffee, croissants, and mouth-watering sweets at

B-Cafe. These coffee beans are aromatically roasted in the UAE.

1. Location: Mobility District
2. Time: 12 pm to 10 pm

Grand Beirut

Come and indulge in authentic Lebanese delicacies flavours at Grand

Beirut.

1. Location: Mangrove Avenue, the Sustainability District
2. Time: 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm

The Daily

Visit The Daily Restaurant in Expo 2020 Rove to taste cuisines from different countries. This eatery is perfect for a morning java fix, a quick lunch break, or a cosy dinner. With many homemade-style dishes, healthy salads, booster drinks, and vegan options, there’s something for everyone.

1. Location: Rove Expo 2020, Horizon Avenue
2. Time: 06:30 am to 11:30 pm
3. Contact number: +971-4-879-2020

For more choices, visit Expo City food trucks, Mattar Farm and WOFL.

Events in Expo City Dubai

Expo City hosts various events and festivals in the year.

The website has details about upcoming Expo City Dubai events and workshops. Most of the events are free, though some activities and workshops will be charged.

Events

Among the previous activities that many people visiting Expo City have liked include:

COP 28

The Conference of Parties is a meeting held every year by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It is a yearly conference called by countries to discuss and negotiate climate policies and agreements. The conference addresses climate change and develops global solutions.

COP 28 of the UAE was held at Expo City Dubai from 30th November to 12th December 2023. That’s a history-making one as COP28 will be the first that solely operates on renewable energy and also claims biodiversity targets as well

Untold Dubai

The first Mega Festival to take place in Expo City Dubai was held in February 2024

Ramadan Festival

Festival Hai Ramadan was from 3rd March up to 22nd April 2023 when held at Expo City Dubai.

Winter Wonderland

Christmas and New Year were at Winter City, Expo City. Two types of events were held: one was free, while the others were paid.

Dubai Fitness Challenge

Dubai Fitness Challenge 2022 saw hundreds of sessions held at Al Wasl Plaza during Expo 2020. The most popular ones were acrobatic gymnastics, CrossFit classes, yoga, cycling events, and marathons.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Live Screening

The Expo City Dubai gave the fans specially reserved zones with large screens where the fans were in clear view to watch their favourite players since the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 was passing.

Dubai Exhibition Center-Event Hub

The Dubai Exhibition Centre is the final destination for business, perfectly suited for businessmen and for any other social events as well. Strategically located at the doorstep of the Expo 2020 Metro Station, this highly customizable event space stretches over 45,000 sq. meters in size, with 14 multi-purpose exhibition halls with excellent audio-visual resources for conducting events and conferences.

Living in Expo City Dubai – Residential Projects

Expo City Dubai is very suitable for professionals and families who want a balanced life environment. It has three residential clusters of people-friendly, eco-friendly apartments and townhouses within an eco-friendly community.

An interconnected, people-oriented community. This comes through the residential areas in Expo City Dubai, retail strips, F&B outlets, schools and parks, walking and cycling tracks, and mangrove houses.

The new addition to the residential areas of Expo City, Mangrove Residences, is ready for handover, and its first batch of 2025 is expected to be delivered. With this, it aims to deliver around 450 luxury units in 1- to 3-bedroom apartments, 4-bedroom lofts, and 3-bedroom townhouses with breathtaking panoramic views at Al Wasl Plaza and Jubilee Park. Many more attractions shall be within walking distance of Expo City.

Smart Mobility

Expositions City Dubai will enable intelligent shuttles and public transportation services to provide convenient mobility, and it will be a fully pedestrian-friendly zone.

A Cultural and Social Destination

Time for leisure shall be included in Expositions City through all-time hits such as Terra and Al Wasl Plaza. Throughout the year, there would be festivals and more community-oriented events

Working in Expo City Dubai

Ecosystem of Innovation

Expo City Dubai would be designed having an ecosystem so that innovation as well as inter-business relations are supported; in addition, there would be conferences and events throughout the year that will also support growth.

Leasable Office Spaces

Expo City Dubai will have commercial leasable space, with opportunities for small, medium, and large-sized companies to occupy offices, co-working spaces, innovation labs, and R&D centers. There will be 123 LEED-certified buildings with courtyards. Companies have already announced their plans to place offices in the community, including Siemens.

A Tech-Friendly Work Environment

Expo City Dubai will offer adaptive, tech-enabled work-space connectivity in 5G and IoT, smart metering and sensing devices, and out-of-building environments. Such an arrangement shall provide an atmosphere conducive enough to call a quiet environment its source.

Competitive Free Zone Structure

Expo City Dubai will have a free zone structure to compete, where innovation-based companies will pilot innovations and experiments. However, this is in paper. Its details will be made available when the time allows.

Innovation Ecosystem at Expo City Dubai

Community will be a growth driver by providing opportunities to leading players and small businesses.

Growth Sectors

Expo City Dubai shall focus on four growth sectors:

1. Smart Mobility: Technology-driven solutions for mobility
2. Smart Logistics: Trackable and efficient networks
3. Industry 4.0: Future Manufacturing Systems
4. Smart Cities: Smart and green cities

Technologies

The planned Expo City Dubai will have the potential to offer wisdom enabling future smart cities including IoT, Blockchain, AI, and Big Data.

Enablers

Academic organisations, research and development centres, incubators, and accelerators will gather in Expo City Dubai to exchange knowledge and prospects for progressive change.

FAQs About Expo City

1. Can I get residential projects in Exo City, Dubai?

Expo Valley is an off-plan project for new villas from 3-5 bedrooms, duets, and townhouses coming to Expo City, Dubai, in 2025. For apartment living, the Mangrove Residences, Expo City, Dubai.

2. Can I visit Expo City today?

Yeah. There’s much going on here-from the visitor attractions and the parks to workshops and events. Check out the website for the most current updates as regards the dates, and times, among other things about the event.

3. Is public transportation available in Expo City?

It’s not at all a hassle. You can use one of the transfer shuttles to quickly move around the venue.

4. When can I relocate to Expo City, Dubai?

The plan for home construction projects within the community is to have them delivered by 2025. If you are interested in moving into the region, you may want to take a tour of the residential sections along Route 2020.

5. How do I get to Expo City?

Here is the contact information for the corporate office of the community:

1. Address: Expo Road, Dubai South, Jebel Ali
2. Timing: Mon-Thur: 08:00 am to 05:00 pm | Friday: 08:30 am to 12:30 pm
3. Contact: +971-4-555-2030

6. How to Reach Expo City Dubai?

Three highways and one metro route, dedicated to EXPO 2020 and connecting a newly launched Route 2020, will connect the city.