Arriving in the UAE: Museums, restaurants, entertainment hubs and more due to open in 2025

The UAE is gearing up for an exciting 2025, with a host of new things to do and places to explore set to open soon. These include the much-awaited Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum , as well as attractions such as Velodrome Abu Dhabi and even expansions to an existing favourite, Yas Waterworld . While opening dates are not finalised and plans might change, here are some of the launches being counted down to in the coming year. Miral has announced a 16,900-square-metre expansion to Yas Waterworld on Yas Island . There will be 18 new rides and attractions, as well as an addition of 3.3km of slides. The waterpark will include the UAE’s highest slide, and will be home to the GCC's first waterpark ride integrated within a waterslide complex. The water ride will feature a 15-metre-high drop for up to 20 guests at a time. This newcomer will tell the history of the UAE in full, spanning 300,000 years. Named after the country’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed, the museum was founded to preserve local culture and heritage. Six permanent galleries will explore human history, languages, and culture in the UAE from ancient times until the present day. Designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, the UAE site is set to be the latest and largest outpost of the Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation’s list of international museums. Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is expected to house important modern and contemporary artworks from West Asia, North Africa and South Asia, displaying a collection that aims to spur cross-cultural exchange and collaboration. No opening date for the museum has been formally announced, but Guggenheim Abu Dhabi on track for completion by the end of 2025. The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi will shed light on the history of our universe and planet, while also featuring a research and teaching institution. It will stand distinct from similar institutions around the world owing to its focus on the region. After delving into the landmark moments in the planet’s history, including the mass extinction events, the museum will offer sections that focus on the evolution of the Arabian Peninsula . The 17,000-square-metre structure, nicknamed the Home for Infinite Curiosity, will feature original and constantly changing art and technology. The installations within the space will be “designed to flow” with the amoebic architecture, teamLab has said. Founded in Tokyo in 2001, teamLab has become famous for its adoption of digital technology and the importance placed on the symbiotic relationship between art and the viewer. The facility on Hudayriyat Island will feature the region's first Union Cycliste Internationale category one indoor cycling track, suitable for staging global competitions. The UCI, also known as the International Cycling Union, is the world governing body for all cycling competitions. Velodrome Abu Dhabi will also include a rooftop track, connected to the ground via a 600-metre cycling ramp winding around the outer walls, giving 360-degree views of Hudayriat Island and the Abu Dhabi skyline. Grand Hyatt Dubai is launching its own waterpark, a ticketed attraction with 15 slides and rides including a surfing lagoon that will be open to the public. The five-star hotel has been a stalwart in the city for more than 20 years, and its 20,000-square-metre waterpark will be free to enter for guests staying at the hotel and other Hyatt properties in Dubai. The Parisian restaurant will open at The Opus in Business Bay, taking over the space currently occupied by Basko. It aims to introduce a French brasserie experience to Downtown Dubai. The UAE outpost will also incorporate local influences while maintaining the classic elements of the original, including dark wood furnishings, bistro chairs and vintage-style posters and uniforms. Singapore‘s Culinary Arts Group is set to debut Maison Dali and Revolver in Dubai in 2025, both located at The Opus in Business Bay. Maison Dali is a contemporary bistro that blends European-inspired dishes with Japanese techniques, while Revolver will focus on bold South Asian flavours crafted in a theatrical open-fire kitchen. Dishes include burrata in bang bang sauce, yellowtail with tamarind ponzu and Portobello mushroom steak with brown butter hummus. A 2,000-square-metre 3D-printed mosque is set to open in Bur Dubai and will accommodate 600 worshippers. This area of the old town, located close to the Creek and the original port that started the Dubai story, is one of the city's most heavily populated areas. The printing process works by layering a fluid material along a predetermined route mapped out by a computer, similar to an inkjet printer. The mineral-infused fluids solidify into concrete almost instantly to convert the digital model into a three-dimensional object. The adults-only entertainment venue will offer games of crazy golf, plus street-style food and drinks. It will open a branch on Bluewaters Island. Founded in 2014, Swingers Crazy Golf began as a pop-up in London, leading to a permanent location in 2016. The concept draws inspiration from 1920s British seaside culture, creating an atmosphere that blends fun and competition with culinary delights and a vibrant social setting.

Arriving in the UAE: Museums, restaurants, entertainment hubs and more due to open in 2025

Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and a 3D-printed mosque in Dubai are among the most highly anticipated new openings