Abu Dhabi’s Zayed National Museum on track for December opening

The Abu Dhabi Media Office has advised that the Zayed National Museum will open in December.

A key attraction in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District - which houses one of the highest concentrations of cultural institutions globally  - the Museum will honour the Founding Father of the United Arab Emirates, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Once open, the museum will operate through immersive exhibitions, active research and public programming, building on Sheikh Zayed’s vision and upholding the values he stood for, including humanitarianism and preserving legacy.

The museum’s collection features artefacts from across the United Arab Emirates, including donations that speak to the heritage of the country, in addition to domestic and international loans.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism  - Abu Dhabi

“The cultural legacy of the UAE has been nurtured over decades, from the establishment of its earliest cultural institutions to today’s expansive vision for cultural exchange and knowledge. Saadiyat Cultural District represents the next chapter in this national journey, curating world-class institutions that honour the past and engage the future. As the national museum of the UAE, Zayed National Museum is the legacy of our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.”

The Mseum’s collection includes Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Age artefacts, many of which were uncovered by archaeological teams over half a century ago.

These discoveries, from the world’s oldest falaj irrigation system to traces of Bronze Age copper mining, stand as evidence of the ingenuity and resilience of the UAE’s earliest communities and reflect Sheikh Zayed’s commitment to bringing the nation’s history to light.

Museum highlights will include the Abu Dhabi Pearl, one of the world’s oldest natural pearls, shedding light on the history of pearling in the Arabian Gulf; the Blue Qur’an, one of Islamic art’s manuscripts; and a recreation of a Magan Boat, the outcome of the museum’s first research partnership with Zayed University and New York University Abu Dhabi.

Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster of Foster + Partners designed the museum. The Museum’s design embodies the heritage of the United Arab Emirates, which is at the forefront of its sustainable design.

Five steel structures rise above the museum and are inspired by the wing of a falcon in flight with falconry considered a practice that is part of Emirati culture. The museum will offer an inclusive and accessible experience that connects people across generations and geographies.

Through its galleries, learning programs and research, it will bring global perspectives into dialogue with the UAE’s heritage and contemporary identity.

Zayed National Museum will stand alongside several cultural institutions within the District, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, the upcoming Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.

Image: The Zayed National Museum approaches completion. Credit: Abu Dhabi Media Office.