Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

Residents and tourists across the UAE can enjoy free access to some of the country’s leading museums this May as cultural institutions mark International Museum Day. Observed globally every May 18 by the International Council of Museums, this year’s event encourages public engagement through cultural exchange, education and heritage preservation. Here is where to go, how to enter and what to see.

Expo City Dubai

Dates: May 16 to 18, and May 18-19 Free attractions: Vision Dubai and Expo 2020 Dubai Museum The Vision Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai Visitors can explore Vision Dubai for free from May 16 to 19. The immersive experience inspired by My Story: 50 Memories from 50 Years of Service by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, tracing Dubai’s transformation from desert settlement to global city. The Expo 2020 Dubai Museum also reopens free of charge from May 18 to 19, allowing visitors to revisit key moments from the world exposition through interactive exhibits and digital storytelling. Guests can also access Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion for Dh20, including entry to Taqa Island for younger children. More details are available through expocitydubai.com.

Louvre Abu Dhabi

Dates: May 16 to 18 Free attractions: Full museum access and guided experiences Louvre Abu Dhabi is offering three days of free admission for International Museum Day. Visitors can explore world-renowned galleries spanning civilisations, cultures and centuries, as well as outdoor architectural experiences under the museum’s iconic floating dome. A major highlight is Una Bulaqueña, the celebrated masterpiece by Filipino painter Juan Luna, currently on loan from the National Museum of the Philippines. The painting portrays a woman from Bulacan dressed in traditional Filipino attire including the camisa, saya, pañuelo and tapis, symbolising grace, dignity and Filipino womanhood during the colonial period. The artwork will return to the Philippines in June 2026, making this one of the final opportunities for UAE residents to view it abroad. Guests may also join the complimentary “From the Philippines” guided tour every Saturday at 4:30pm, offering deeper insight into Filipino heritage and artistic history. Book free admission through Louvre Abu Dhabi’s website.

All Sharjah museums

Date: Monday (May 18) Registration: Walk-in access Free attractions: All museums under Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization Museums across Sharjah City, Kalba and Khorfakkan will offer free entry. Visitors can explore: • Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization • Sharjah Art Museum • Sharjah Archaeology Museum • Sharjah Maritime Museum • Sharjah Science Museum • Sharjah Heritage Museum SMA is also running its Sharjah Museums Passport campaign until May 31. Visitors who collect stamps from at least five museums and post their experiences on social media will be entered into prize draws. For details: sharjahmuseums.ae

Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi

Dates: May 16 to 18 Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi will open its doors for free from May 16 to 18 as part of celebrations marking International Museum Day. The three-day event will feature interactive workshops, live science sessions and behind-the-scenes experiences designed to make science and discovery accessible to visitors of all ages. Among Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi's star attractions is Stan, a 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, and a 25-metre blue whale specimen. The museum is also home to the Murchison Meteorite, containing 7-billion-year-old grains, making it older than the solar system itself. For details: nhmad.ae
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