Museum of the Future to Temporarily Close From September 1, Returning With New Experiences in 2027
By Thasmiya
Dubai’s iconic **Museum of the Future will temporarily close from September 1, 2026**, as the landmark prepares for its biggest transformation since opening.
The museum is encouraging residents and tourists to experience its current exhibitions before the closure, after which work will begin on a completely new generation of immersive and interactive experiences.
The revamped Museum of the Future is expected to welcome visitors again in the **first quarter of 2027**, around its fifth anniversary. ([Khaleej Times](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/museum-of-the-future-close-temporarily-on-september-1-2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
## **Why is the Museum of the Future closing?**
The closure is not permanent.
Instead, the museum is preparing to overhaul its visitor experience and replace its major existing exhibitions with a new generation of experiences reflecting developments in science, technology and society.
The attraction had previously indicated that its current exhibitions would remain accessible until mid-September. However, its latest announcement on August 25 urged visitors to **“See it before the 1st,”** confirming the temporary closure from September 1. ([Khaleej Times](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/museum-of-the-future-close-temporarily-on-september-1-2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
## **What will change inside?**
This is expected to be much more than a routine refurbishment.
The museum’s next phase will introduce **deeper, more immersive and highly interactive experiences** examining scientific and technological changes that could reshape economies, societies and everyday life over the coming decades. ([Khaleej Times](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/museum-of-the-future-close-temporarily-on-september-1-2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
The National previously reported that every major exhibition forming the current visitor journey is set to be replaced as part of the overhaul. ([The National](https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/2026/07/15/dubais-museum-of-the-future-to-close-in-september-ahead-of-2027-relaunch/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
That means visitors returning in 2027 could encounter a substantially different Museum of the Future rather than simply refreshed versions of the existing galleries.
## **What happens to the current exhibitions?**
The closure means time is running out to experience the museum in its current form.
Existing attractions include **OSS Hope**, which imagines a space station in 2071; the **Heal Institute**, exploring ecology and biodiversity; **Al Waha**, focused on wellbeing; **Tomorrow Today**, showcasing emerging technologies; and **Future Heroes**, designed for younger visitors. ([The National](https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/2026/07/15/dubais-museum-of-the-future-to-close-in-september-ahead-of-2027-relaunch/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
These experiences have formed the museum’s visitor journey since it opened in February 2022.
## **The public helped inspire what comes next**
One particularly interesting part of the transformation is that ideas for the museum’s future were not developed entirely behind closed doors.
The Museum of the Future launched a global call inviting people to share ideas and proposals for its next generation of experiences.
More than **1,000 suggestions** were received through social media from people representing different countries, communities and disciplines. These ideas are helping inform the experiences currently under development. ([Khaleej Times](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/museum-of-the-future-close-temporarily-on-september-1-2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
## **When will the Museum of the Future reopen?**
The revamped museum is scheduled to reopen during the **first quarter of 2027**.
An exact reopening date has not yet been announced.
The timing is significant because the Museum of the Future opened on **February 22, 2022**, meaning 2027 will mark its fifth anniversary. The new visitor experience is being developed as part of that milestone. ([The National](https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/2026/07/15/dubais-museum-of-the-future-to-close-in-september-ahead-of-2027-relaunch/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Further details about the exhibitions, programmes and reopening plans are expected to be announced in the coming months.
## **Can you still visit before September 1?**
Yes.
The museum is currently encouraging people who want to experience its existing attractions to visit before the September 1 closure.
The official visitor page currently lists opening hours as **10am to 7pm**, with last admission at **5pm**. General admission for visitors aged four and above is currently listed at **AED 169**. ([Museum of the Future](https://museumofthefuture.ae/en/plan-your-visit?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Children under four and People of Determination with one accompanying caregiver are eligible for free entry under the museum’s current ticketing rules. ([Museum of the Future](https://museumofthefuture.ae/en/plan-your-visit?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Ticket availability should be checked before travelling as the closure approaches.
## **What if you’re visiting Dubai after September 1?**
Tourists planning a Dubai trip after September 1 should leave the Museum of the Future off their itinerary until its reopening is confirmed.
There are plenty of nearby alternatives, including Dubai Frame, Museum of the Future’s surrounding Emirates Towers district, Dubai Mall attractions and other indoor museums and cultural destinations.
Those travelling in early 2027 should check the museum’s official channels before their trip, as the exact reopening date has yet to be announced.
## **Why does the Museum of the Future keep changing?**
Unlike a traditional museum primarily displaying objects from the past, the Museum of the Future was designed around ideas about what could happen next.
Its exhibitions explore future possibilities involving artificial intelligence, space, climate, ecosystems, health, robotics and other emerging fields.
Updating the exhibits therefore allows the museum to respond to rapidly changing technologies and new scientific and societal developments.
A museum representative previously said changes of this scale were part of its intended operating model rather than an unexpected redesign. ([The National](https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/2026/07/15/dubais-museum-of-the-future-to-close-in-september-ahead-of-2027-relaunch/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
## **A new reason for residents to return**
The overhaul could be particularly interesting for UAE residents who have already visited the attraction.
Rather than reopening with a few new displays, the museum is preparing a new visitor journey with different interactive experiences.
That could effectively make the 2027 version a fresh attraction even for people who explored the museum shortly after its 2022 opening.
## **Quick details**
**Temporary closure:** From September 1, 2026
**Location:** Sheikh Zayed Road, beside Emirates Towers, Dubai
**Reason:** Development of a new generation of immersive and interactive experiences
**Expected reopening:** First quarter of 2027
**Exact reopening date:** Not yet announced
**Current general admission:** AED 169 for visitors aged four and above
**Current opening hours before closure:** 10am–7pm, with last admission at 5pm
**What to expect in 2027:** New major exhibitions, a renewed visitor journey and more interactive experiences exploring future science, technology and society. ([Khaleej Times](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/museum-of-the-future-close-temporarily-on-september-1-2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
## **Why this matters**
The temporary closure marks the biggest change to one of Dubai’s most recognisable attractions since it opened in 2022.
For anyone who has been planning to see the current Museum of the Future, the remaining days before September 1 are the final opportunity before the attraction enters its next phase.
And for those who have already visited, 2027 could provide a reason to return: the landmark building will remain familiar, but what visitors discover inside is expected to be very different.
## **FAQs**
### **Is the Museum of the Future closing permanently?**
No. The closure is temporary while the attraction develops its next generation of exhibitions and visitor experiences.
### **When does the Museum of the Future close?**
The latest announcement says it will temporarily close from **September 1, 2026**. ([Khaleej Times](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/museum-of-the-future-close-temporarily-on-september-1-2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
### **When will it reopen?**
The revamped museum is expected to open in the **first quarter of 2027**, although an exact date has not yet been announced. ([The National](https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/2026/07/15/dubais-museum-of-the-future-to-close-in-september-ahead-of-2027-relaunch/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
### **Will the exhibitions be different?**
Yes. The current major exhibitions are expected to be replaced as part of a new visitor journey featuring more immersive and interactive experiences. ([The National](https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/2026/07/15/dubais-museum-of-the-future-to-close-in-september-ahead-of-2027-relaunch/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
### **Can I visit before it closes?**
Yes, subject to ticket availability. The museum is actively encouraging visitors to experience its current version before September 1. ([Khaleej Times](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/museum-of-the-future-close-temporarily-on-september-1-2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
## **Source Credits**
Information source and resource owners: Museum of the Future, Khaleej Times, The National and Dubai Future Foundation.
Image sources are combined from official attraction resources and other credited platforms. For concerns email concerns@whatmatters.ae.