What do we love more than spending a day at Expo City? A day at Expo City with free entry to all pavilions, of course! And that’s coming right up as a special treat for UAE residents on International Museum Day, which falls in May.
Well, not exactly on World Museum Day, because that’s observed on May 18. Free entry to Expo City pavilions, however, happens a day later on May 19. Since it’s a Friday, you can make a meal out of this free activity and start your weekend early. This is a pretty big deal now because a one-day pass to Expo City with access to 4 pavilions and 3 exhibitions would otherwise knock you back by AED 120 per adult.
What exactly does free entry include?
The good news wagon doesn’t stop with just the waiving of entrance fees. Once you’re in, time will just whizz right past as a ton of activities and events have been scheduled for the day. A treasure hunt is the showstopper and promises to throw visitors right into the thick of International Museum Day. Celebrations kick off at 10am and wrap up at 6pm.
Also, participation in these fun things to do – you guessed it – is free! In typical Expo City fashion, you’ll leave with a souvenir. No, it’s not a passport this time but a special souvenir pin. This memento of International Museum Day festivities is no off-the-rack item. Each souvenir pin will be made on the spot for individual visitors at the Vision Pavilion. And *ding, ding, ding* it is free too!
All that’s left is you ensure YOU’RE free on May 19.
Is Expo City a museum?
Not in the traditional sense, it isn’t. Although, Expo City does house a museum – Expo 2020 Dubai Museum, which was previously the Opportunity Pavilion. Then there’s also the addition of three Stories of Nations exhibitions. Located in Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability pavilions, these newly introduced exhibits are treasure troves of items from the 200 nations that participated in the spectacular world fair. You’ll stumble across sculptures, musical instruments, such as replicas of the popular swings from the German Pavilion, a harp from Columbia and more. So considering all that, Expo City does track as a museum. A museum of memories from Expo 2020.