Abu Dhabi is giving people a very good reason to leave the house this weekend — museums across the capital are opening their doors for free, and they are doing a lot more than just putting artefacts behind glass.
From May 16 to 18, cultural institutions across Saadiyat Island and beyond will mark International Museum Day with free entry, live performances, storytelling sessions, workshops, film screenings and family activities. The initiative brings together venues including Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, Al Ain Museum and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi under this year’s theme: Museums Uniting a Divided World.
At Zayed National Museum, visitors can expect Emirati music performances, gahwa storytelling sessions, Sadu bracelet-making workshops and interactive experiences exploring the UAE’s heritage and traditions. Families can also join scavenger hunts and creative workshops designed around memory and storytelling.
Louvre Abu Dhabi is leaning into cinema, art and science for the occasion, with guided gallery tours, family workshops, Cannes Film Nights screenings and live conservation demonstrations from the museum’s research and lab teams. A new film titled The Pulse of Time will also screen hourly on May 18, tracing humanity’s shared story through artworks from the museum’s collection.
Meanwhile, Al Ain Museum will host sketch walks, photography sessions, storytelling activities and hands-on workshops for children, while the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi is focusing on immersive and interactive experiences, including The March of Triceratops exhibition and the globally recognised Wildlife Photographer of the Year showcase.
Free entry will also be available at Qasr Al Hosn, Al Maqta’a Museum and Delma Museum throughout the three-day programme.
For anyone looking for something meaningful, family-friendly or simply different to do this weekend, this might be one of the better plans in the city.
Read the full article here.
