Zayed National Museum to Open in December 2025

The Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the United Arab Emirates, will open its doors in December 2025, situated in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District, one of the world’s most concentrated hubs of cultural institutions. This landmark establishment honours the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his lifelong dedication to education, identity, and community.

Through immersive exhibitions, active research, and engaging public programmes, the museum continues Sheikh Zayed’s vision, upholding values such as humanitarianism and the preservation of legacy. Visitors will find six permanent galleries across two floors, charting 300,000 years of human history, alongside a temporary exhibition space. The collection features artefacts from across the UAE, including donations reflecting its rich heritage, as well as domestic and international loans.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said, “Thecultural legacy of theUAE has been nurtured over decades, from the establishment of its earliest culturalinstitutions totoday’s expansive vision for cultural exchange and knowledge. SaadiyatCulturalDistrict represents the next chapter in this national journey, curating world-class institutions that honour the past and engage the future. As thenationalmuseum of the United Arab Emirates, Zayed NationalMuseumisthe legacy of our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It is a tribute to his boundless belief in people, intheir ability to learn, to uphold the values of unity, compassion and national pride. This museumis more than a place of preservation; it is a promise to future generations, a beacon of our identity, and a space where our story istold not just through objects, but through emotion, memory and vision. This institution will carry our story forward for generations to come.”

The museum’s excavations reveal artefacts from the Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages, uncovered over the past fifty years across the UAE. These relics tell stories of resilience and ingenuity, including the world’s oldest falaj irrigation system and evidence of Bronze Age copper mining.

Key highlights will include the Abu Dhabi Pearl, one of the oldest natural pearls in the world, offering fresh insights into the history of pearling in the Arabian Gulf; the Blue Qur’an, considered one of Islamic art’s finest manuscripts; and a recreation of an ancient Magan Boat, resulting from the museum’s first research partnership with Zayed University and New York University Abu Dhabi.

Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, the building’s design reflects the UAE’s heritage and commitment to sustainability. The five steel structures, inspired by a falcon in flight — a symbol of Emirati culture through falconry — rise above the museum.

The museum aims to be inclusive and accessible, fostering connections across generations and cultures. Through its galleries, educational programmes, and pioneering research, it will facilitate dialogue between global perspectives and the UAE’s heritage and contemporary identity. From inspiring young people and engaging People of Determination and seniors, to promoting international scholarship, the Zayed National Museum will serve as a vibrant platform for cultural exchange and shared understanding.

As part of Saadiyat Cultural District’s mission to promote dialogue and cultural equality, the museum will present collections and narratives celebrating the region’s rich history while engaging with diverse global viewpoints. It will stand alongside renowned institutions such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, the forthcoming Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role as a global hub for culture, ideas, and innovation.