Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi gears up for November opening

The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi is set to open its doors to the public on November 22 in the Saadiyat Cultural District, marking a major cultural milestone for the emirate.

Spanning 35,000 square metres, it’s the largest museum of its kind in the region, offering an immersive journey through 13.8 billion years of natural history — from the Big Bang to the age of dinosaurs and beyond.

Among its star attractions: Stan, a nearly complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, a 25-metre female blue whale specimen, and the ancient Murchison Meteorite, containing particles older than our solar system.

The museum also shines a spotlight on the Arabian Peninsula’s natural heritage, including the extinct Stegotetrabelodon emiratus, a prehistoric elephant species discovered in Abu Dhabi.

Designed by renowned architects Mecanoo, the museum’s structure mirrors natural rock formations, reinforcing its mission to connect people with the natural world.

The museum’s main galleries include: The Story of Earth, The Evolving World, Our World, Resilient Planet, and Earth’s Future, alongside side galleries such as The PalaeoLab, The Life Sciences Lab, Arabia’s Climate, Beyond the Horizon, and The Human Story.

Visitors can also explore the Interactive Theatre, which offers immersive visual experiences that transport them through time.

To celebrate its opening, two major exhibitions will debut: The March of the Triceratops and the 61st Wildlife Photographer of the Year showcase.

The Natural History Museum joins a growing cultural hub on Saadiyat Island, alongside the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Guggenheim and Zayed National Museum — cementing Abu Dhabi’s place on the global cultural map.

.@dctabudhabi has announced Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi will open on 22 November 2025. The 35,000sqm museum at @SCDabudhabi features immersive exhibitions spanning 13.8 billion years of natural history and highlights the region’s unique contribution to the natural world. pic.twitter.com/zDliOz7KLC

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) October 21, 2025