Louvre Abu Dhabi has revealed its upcoming 2026–2027 cultural programme, presenting a dynamic season that explores the movement of ideas, traditions, and artistic practices across time and geography. Through four major exhibitions, the museum continues its mission of bridging civilizations and highlighting the universal threads that connect human history.
Running from July 2026 through April 2027, the programme moves across diverse themes — from ancient board games and maritime trade routes to contemporary art and the preservation of endangered cultural heritage.
The season opens with A Board Game Adventure, hosted at the Children’s Museum from July 18, 2026, to April 2027. The exhibition looks at how games have shaped human interaction across centuries, tracing the cultural journeys of chess, ludo, mancala, and carrom. Bringing together around 30 objects from the museum’s own collection alongside regional and international loans, the show offers a playful yet historically rich perspective on shared traditions.
In October, the museum shifts focus to global trade and intellectual exchange with Spices and Wonders: Sailing the Indian Ocean. Created in collaboration with the Guimet – National Museum of Asian Arts in France, the exhibition explores the vast maritime networks that once linked Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Through spices, textiles, ceramics, and historical artefacts, it examines how these routes shaped economies, science, and cultural identity from Antiquity to the 17th century.
Contemporary art takes centre stage in November with the sixth edition of Art Here and the Richard Mille Art Prize. This year’s edition expands for the first time to include Indian artists alongside creatives from the GCC, reflecting deeper regional connections shaped by centuries of exchange across the Indian Ocean. Under the theme Confluences, the exhibition explores migration, memory, and intertwined histories, reinforcing the museum’s wider seasonal narrative.
Also launching in November is Living Legacies. Protecting Heritage. Building Hope, a powerful exhibition developed in partnership with the Aliph Foundation. The project highlights the work of individuals and institutions committed to preserving cultural heritage in regions facing conflict, environmental challenges, and instability. Combining artefacts, testimonies, and immersive storytelling, the exhibition offers a timely reflection on the urgency of safeguarding global history.
Beyond exhibitions, Louvre Abu Dhabi’s season will feature an extensive programme of talks, workshops, performances, screenings, and educational initiatives designed to deepen public engagement and encourage dialogue across generations.
With its latest programme, Louvre Abu Dhabi continues to position itself not simply as a museum, but as a living platform for cultural exchange — one where history, creativity, and human connection meet.
