Abu Dhabi : The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, the newest cultural landmark within the Saadiyat Cultural District, celebrated its grand VIP preview on Thursday evening, drawing global celebrities, cultural leaders, and special guests for an exclusive first look ahead of its public opening on 22 November 2025.
Bollywood megastars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan were among the most high-profile attendees, seen exploring the museum’s immersive galleries and interacting with its world-class exhibits. The duo also viewed “Stan,” a 67-million-year-old T. rex fossil and one of the most complete specimens ever discovered.
The red carpet dazzled with international names from film, TV, music, and art. Notable guests included Abu Dhabi resident and global television icon Steve Harvey; MythBusters star and acclaimed designer Adam Savage; rising Hollywood actors David Iacono and Audrina Miranda of the latest Jurassic World movie; award-winning producer Swizz Beatz; celebrated actors Ron Perlman and Giancarlo Esposito; and Tunisian-Italian cultural icon Afef Jnifen.
Positioned as the largest natural history institution in the Middle East, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi puts a strong spotlight on the natural heritage of the Emirates and the wider region. Visitors will journey back seven million years to a greener, savannah-like Arabia inhabited by now-extinct species, including the four-tusked giant elephant—one of the museum’s major displays.
The galleries house several global firsts, including the world’s first exhibit of a sauropod dinosaur herd, featuring five long-necked species displayed together in the museum’s atrium. Another world-first awaits deeper inside—two Tyrannosaurus rexes locked in a dramatic battle over a Triceratops carcass, a scene never before displayed using real fossil specimens.
The museum joins the growing ecosystem of world-class attractions on Saadiyat Island, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, and the upcoming Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, strengthening the district’s position as a global hub for culture, science, creativity, and education.
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