Free museum day in Sharjah: Seven attractions opening doors on May 18
Science, history and marine life experiences await visitors
SHARJAH – Residents and visitors in Sharjah have another free cultural outing to add to their calendars this month.
As part of International Museum Day celebrations, seven museums across the emirate will open their doors with free entry on May 18, giving people the chance to explore everything from archaeology and heritage to science and marine life in one day.
The one-day initiative arrives as museums around the world prepare to mark International Museum Day, an annual event celebrated every May. With more than 140 countries participating, the occasion continues to highlight the role museums play in connecting people through culture, education and shared experiences.
This year’s theme, “Museums Uniting a Divided World”, focuses on bringing communities together through history, science and storytelling.
Free museums
The list covers a broad range of experiences, making it easy for visitors to plan a full museum-hopping route across Sharjah.
The participating museums include Sharjah Science Museum, Sharjah Aquarium, Sharjah Archaeology Museum, Bait Al Naboodah, Sharjah Fort (Al Hisn), Sharjah Maritime Museum and Sharjah Heritage Museum.
The line-up offers a mix of educational and interactive attractions. Visitors interested in science can explore hands-on exhibits and experiments, while others can step into heritage spaces that trace the emirate’s cultural traditions and daily life from earlier generations.
Marine enthusiasts can spend time discovering aquatic life at Sharjah Aquarium, while archaeology fans can explore collections documenting the region’s ancient civilisations and historical discoveries.
International Museum Day
International Museum Day has been celebrated for nearly 50 years and has grown into a worldwide initiative encouraging public engagement with museums and cultural institutions.
Every year, the event highlights a different theme aimed at strengthening cultural understanding and expanding access to knowledge. The 2026 edition continues that focus through experiences designed to connect people with stories and history from different communities and periods.
For visitors looking for a cost-free activity, the one-day event creates an opportunity to explore multiple locations without purchasing separate tickets.
Beyond galleries
Those planning a longer day out can also continue their journey beyond museum halls and exhibition spaces.
The emirate offers additional historical experiences through Mleiha Archaeological Centre, which provides guided tours and desert-based archaeological experiences. Visitors can explore ancient caves and early human history through the Valley of the Caves Tour.
The Archaeological Tour offers another route into Sharjah’s past, taking visitors through remains from the Iron Age, including palace structures, burial chambers and excavation sites spread across the desert landscape.