What to Look Forward to in the UAE for 2020?

As we enter into a new decade, we have so much to look forward to, including much-anticipated new attractions, hotel openings and restaurant offerings, to keep you active and engaged in the UAE. into 2020 Sneak P ee k

Expo 2020 The Greatest Show National Aquarium Meydan One

The eyes of the world will look to Dubai as the city hosts “The World’s Greatest Show”, Expo 2020 Dubai. Running for 172 days from October 20, 2020, the Expo will welcome a record number of country pavilions, each themed on one of three key pillars, sustainability, mobility and opportunity.

Yas Bay

One of the biggest attractions to open in Abu Dhabi this year! Developed by Miral, is home to top attractions in entertainment, leisure and business and is expected to attract around 15,000 residents and 10,000 professionals to the island. Yas Bay will be comprised of three distinct areas: Yas Bay Waterfront, Residences at Yas Bay and twofour54.

Museum of the Future

New dining and entertainment destination Al Qana is set to open this year and will be home to The National Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the Middle East, housing 33,000 marine animals. While the main destination will be fully completed by the end of 2020, the aquarium is 70% complete and might open earlier than expected.

Snow Abu Dhabi

Set to become a retail centre, a funfair, a holiday haven and a place to call home is set to open in the second half of 2020. Offering 550+ shops, 180 restaurants and entertainment facilities will include in a 1km indoor ski slope with 12,000 sqm winter village, super-sized crystal lagoon, pulse-racing electric go-karting track and a giant dancing fountain.

Ain Dubai

Reem Island is set to welcome the world’s largest snow park with the opening of Snow Abu Dhabi this year. At four times the size of Ski Dubai, this wintry wonderland will feature 13 rides and attractions and will be kept at –2°C. The project is part of Reem Mall due to open in late 2020. It offers a huge range of retail, dining outlets and entertainment destinations.

Mohammed Bin Rashid Library

The world’s largest observation wheel at over 250 metres high located at the Bluewaters Island. The wheel will be completed in time for the Expo 2020 in October. It can carry up to 1,400 passengers at any one time across 48 double-glazed capsules. Some of the capsules will be private ‘fine-dining’ pods that seat up to 12, available for rent during special occasion. Six will also be licensed with their own bar inside.

Royal Atlantis

First announced in 2015, the Museum of the Future is nothing short of an architectural marvel. Designed in the shape of an eye hollowed out in the middle, the outside will be covered in Arabic calligraphy. The Museum of the Future will explore the future of science, technology and innovation.

The seven-storey Library has been designed to resemble an open book sitting on a rehl – a traditional lectern that holds the Quran. When complete – sometime this year – it is expected to be the largest cultural centre in the Middle East and North Africa, housing more than 4.5 million books.

The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences is on track to open in the Q3 of 2020. The 43-storey resort comprises 231 luxury apartments, 693 hotel rooms, 102 suites, 13 restaurants and no less than 90 swimming pools, including a stunning rooftop infinity pool suspended 96 metres about the Palm Jumeirah.