Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan grace the VIP preview of the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi

The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, the latest cultural crown jewel in the Saadiyat Cultural District, celebrated its highly anticipated grand opening with an exclusive VIP preview on Thursday evening. The landmark event brought together renowned global talent, cultural leaders and distinguished guests for a first look inside the region’s newest cultural phenomenon.

Bollywood Superstars Shah Rukh Khan & Salman Khan Experience the Museum First

Ahead of the official public opening on 22 November 2025, Bollywood icons Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan were among the first to explore the museum’s remarkable galleries and collections. The actors toured immersive exhibits designed to bring natural history to life, including key highlights such as “Stan” a 67-million-year-old fossilised T. rex skeleton, considered one of the best-preserved specimens ever discovered. Their presence further elevated the excitement around the museum’s launch, making it a moment of pride for film and culture enthusiasts alike.

Star-Studded Red Carpet Featuring Global Celebrities

The VIP preview evening became a sparkling celebration of global cinema, music, art and culture. Notable names who graced the red carpet included:

• Steve Harvey – global TV icon and Abu Dhabi resident
• Adam Savage – acclaimed special-effects expert and star of MythBusters
• David Iacono and Audrina Miranda – rising Hollywood stars from the latest Jurassic World movie

Also joining the event were:

• Swizz Beatz – award-winning producer and entrepreneur
• Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Sons of Anarchy)
• Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, The Mandalorian)
• Afef Jnifen – Tunisian-Italian model and cultural icon

Their attendance reinforced Abu Dhabi’s growing global prominence as a centre for tourism, entertainment and cultural excellence.

A Landmark Museum for the Middle East

As the largest natural history museum in the Middle East, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi places a special spotlight on the natural heritage of the Emirates and the wider region. Visitors step back in time nearly seven million years, uncovering a lush, green Arabian savannah once populated by now-extinct species including a four-tusked giant elephant, brought to life through dramatic exhibits and scientific displays.

Immersive Storytelling and World-First Dinosaur Exhibits

The museum features captivating experiences that narrate nature’s most extraordinary stories. Visitors are greeted in the atrium by a world-first display of a sauropod dinosaur herd, with five different species of long-necked giants towering majestically above.

Further inside, another world-first takes centre stage: an unprecedented exhibit showcasing two Tyrannosaurus rexes locked in battle over a Triceratops carcass the first time such a dynamic prehistoric scene has ever been displayed.

Conclusion

The VIP preview signals the arrival of not just a new museum, but a monumental global attraction. With its scientific importance, stunning exhibits, and star-powered opening, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi is set to become one of the world’s most compelling cultural destinations when its doors open to the public on 22 November 2025.