Expo 2020 Dubai records one million visits in three days to close in on 25 million target

Visit numbers rose to about 23 million after Expo's busiest weekend

Visitor numbers have surged as the world's fair entered its final week, with more than 1.8 million visits in one week. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National

Children make a splash at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Visitors record footage of Expo attractions as souvenirs of the event.

Crowds gather to enjoy one of the final Fridays at Expo 2020 Dubai. With a week to go, more than 20 million visits had been recorded.

The world's fair offers something for visitors of all ages, say organisers.

The spectacular Saudi Arabia pavilion has been a top attraction throughout the Expo's six-month run.

With the surge in visit numbers, organisers believe the final tally will be close to the original 25 million target.

Visitors line up to visit the Palestine pavilion.

Expo visitors explore the site and enjoy the atmosphere.

The German pavilion has been one of the most popular at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Expo 2020 Dubai is the place to be and to be seen.

Visitors enjoy a day out at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Young Expo visitors make racing cars at the Family Place.

A family having fun at the Expo.

Party time at the world's fair on Friday. Special events have been lined up before Expo 2020 Dubai ends on March 31.

Expo 2020 Dubai recorded more than one million visits between Friday and Sunday as crowds flocked to the mega-event on its final weekend.

The six-month extravaganza has now recorded nearly 23 million visits since it opened in October, closing in fast on a target of 25 million.

Long queues formed at some of the most popular pavilions as visitors relished the opportunity to explore the sprawling site once more.

It proved to be the busiest weekend of the event so far, with numbers set to soar further in the final days.

Visit numbers now stand at 22,937,830. This means the first expo in the region has fulfilled its commitment to attract between 22.9 million and 25.4 million visits, a target set out in the registration dossier officially ratified by Bureau International des Expositions member states in 2015.

The achievement comes amid the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Expo to end in style

The impressive figures are set to rise, with the spectacular closing ceremony still to come.

The event's final day will include a dazzling display by the UAE Air Force’s Fursan Al Emarat aerobatics team and performances by music stars Christina Aguilera, Norah Jones and Yo-Yo Ma.

The Expo 2020 World String Ensemble and Italian pianist Eleonora Constantini will also be featured among the closing ceremony events.

Visitors will be able to watch on more than 20 giant screens across the site, including at the Jubilee Stage, Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre, Festival Garden and various country pavilions.

The world's fair will remain open for firework displays at midnight and 3am.

Metro trains will run around the clock on Thursday and Friday to handle crowds, with tens of thousands of people expected to visit Expo.

The celebrations are included in the price of a ticket that has allowed people to visit the event several times over the past month.

The evening's festivities will begin at 7pm with Mira Singh, the girl who starred in the opening ceremony, taking the audience on another compelling journey.