Arts, Musuem & Culture

Abu Dhabi Offers 3-Day Free Entry to Museums and Cultural Sites for International Museum Day

Abu Dhabi will offer free entry to museums and cultural institutions across the emirate from May 16 to 18 as part of celebrations for International Museum Day.

Held under the theme “Museums Uniting a Divided World,” the initiative highlights the role of museums in promoting cultural understanding, dialogue, and community engagement through exhibitions, workshops, guided tours, and family activities.

Residents and visitors will be able to access a wide range of attractions across Abu Dhabi, including the Saadiyat Cultural District, Al Ain, and Delma Island.

Among the participating venues is Louvre Abu Dhabi, where guests can join free thematic tours of the permanent galleries and the Picasso exhibition. Children’s workshops will also be available throughout the event.

Zayed National Museum will host cultural programmes including storytelling sessions, traditional performances, bracelet-making workshops, and family scavenger hunts from 10am to 8pm during the three-day celebration.

At the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, visitors can participate in interactive workshops such as mini exhibit creation, sunlight printing activities, light experiments, and nature-inspired craft sessions.

Other participating attractions include:

Qasr Al Hosn
Cultural Foundation
Al Maqta'a Museum
Al Ain Museum
Qasr Al Muwaiji
Al Jahili Fort
Al Ain Oasis
Al Qattara Arts Centre
Bait Mohammed Bin Khalifa
Delma Museum
Manarat Al Saadiyat

Several venues are also introducing family-focused and educational programmes during the celebrations.

At Qasr Al Hosn, children aged 10 and above will have the opportunity to take part in the “Children’s Takeover” initiative, allowing them to experience roles such as museum tour guides, photographers, and ticketing staff.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Libraries, including Khalifa Park Library and Zayed Central Library, will host storytelling sessions, art workshops, and hands-on educational activities for children and teenagers aged between 6 and 14.

The Al Ain Culture Sites programme will focus on conservation and heritage preservation, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the UNESCO World Heritage landscape while learning about the restoration and adaptive reuse of historic sites.

The initiative reflects Abu Dhabi’s continued investment in culture, heritage, and education while reinforcing its position as a leading regional cultural destination.