Picture the scene as the gates of Expo 2020 Dubai open on 20 October, 2020, kickstarting a celebration unlike anything the world has ever witnessed.

Passing through those gates for the next 173 days will be a procession of artists and academics, dancers and diplomats, pop stars and pioneering thinkers, culinary wizards and cultural icons, tech ninjas and tomorrow’s leaders – plus, of course, 192 participating nations and millions of visitors from around the world.

But first, there’s you. Expo 2020 is inviting anyone in the UAE, no matter their age or nationality, to be part of ‘The World’s Greatest Show in the Making’ tour – an exciting and free sneak preview of the 4.38 sqkm Expo site as it nears completion.

From Saturday, 20 July to Saturday, 31 August, Expo 2020’s colourful coaches will collect visitors from pickup points across the UAE, including Dubai Mall, Abu Dhabi Mall and other easily accessible locations in Sharjah and the northern emirates.

Once on board, they will experience an entertaining journey through the history of World Expos as they make their way to the Expo site in Dubai South. Here, they will explore the Expo 2020 Visitor Centre and enjoy F&B and engaging activities before reboarding the bus for a tour of the site and its most iconic structures – all accompanied by fun facts and figures on what is fast shaping up to be the world’s greatest show.

Manal AlBayat, Chief Community Engagement Officer, Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “World Expos are famous for their groundbreaking architecture, from the Eiffel Tower in 1889 to the Space Needle in 1962. This is an unprecedented opportunity for people in the UAE to come with their friends and families and take an early look at our own incredible structures that will soon be known far and wide – such as Al Wasl Plaza, the site’s beating heart, the falcon-inspired UAE Pavilion and the Sustainability Pavilion, which pushes the boundaries of eco-conscious design.

“We can’t wait to welcome the world in 2020, but before then, we look forward to welcoming people from across the UAE to experience our site, which will host six months of unforgettable events and celebrations from October 2020.”

The tour, which will run every Monday and Wednesday afternoon and all day on Saturdays, is open to everyone with a valid photo ID. For more details on timings and pickup locations, and to book a seat, please visit www.expo2020dubai.com/hayyakum.

Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo ever held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region. It will welcome an anticipated 25 million visits over the course of 173 days, on the eve of the nation’s Golden Jubilee.