New in 2026
New Museums & Major Openings
The most significant new museum openings, expansions, and landmark exhibitions of 2026. From long-awaited new buildings to major collection expansions.
Opening dates and statuses are subject to change. Always verify with the official museum website before planning a visit.
Grand Egyptian Museum
Soft opening complete; full opening expected 2026
The largest archaeological museum in the world, built adjacent to the Pyramids at Giza. It will house the complete Tutankhamun collection — all 5,000+ objects — for the first time in a purpose-built facility, along with one million artefacts spanning thousands of years of Egyptian civilisation.
Why it matters: The most significant new museum opening of the decade. The complete Tutankhamun collection displayed together for the first time is alone worth the journey.
V&A East Museum
Opening 2025–2026
A new V&A museum in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, focused on design, technology, performance, and contemporary creative practice. Designed by O'Donnell + Tuomey, it will be free to enter and accessible to a different London audience than the South Kensington original.
Why it matters: The V&A's collections of design, textiles, and applied arts are extraordinary — a new purpose-built space focused on contemporary creative practice makes this highly anticipated.
American Museum of Natural History Expansion
Richard Gilder Center fully open; new galleries ongoing
The Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation has added significant new gallery space to the AMNH, including the Invisible Worlds exhibit, a spectacular insectarium, and new educational facilities. The expansion opens sections of the museum that have been closed for decades.
Why it matters: The AMNH is already one of the world's greatest museums — the new Gilder Center adds transformative new spaces that substantially deepen the visitor experience.
Musée national de l'histoire de l'immigration
Expanded galleries opening 2025–2026
France's national museum dedicated to the history of immigration, housed in the Palais de la Porte Dorée — itself one of the finest Art Deco buildings in Europe. Major expansion of the permanent collection covers 200 years of immigration history to France.
Why it matters: A deeply significant and often overlooked museum, now with substantially expanded facilities. The Art Deco architecture of the building is itself a reason to visit.
National Museum of the African American History & Culture
Open; new exhibitions ongoing through 2026
Since opening in 2016, the NMAAHC has become one of the most visited and critically acclaimed museums in the United States. New permanent galleries and major temporary exhibitions are planned through 2026, continuing to expand its extraordinary story of African American history and culture.
Why it matters: Already considered essential — new 2026 programming makes this a renewed priority for visitors to Washington D.C.
Humboldt Forum
Open; major exhibitions continuing through 2026
Germany's most ambitious cultural project in decades — a rebuilt Prussian palace housing the Ethnological Museum and the Museum of Asian Art, alongside Humboldt University collections. The institution continues to expand its programming and grapple openly with questions of colonial provenance.
Why it matters: The ongoing debates about repatriation and provenance make this one of the most intellectually engaged museum projects currently operating anywhere in the world.
Explore our full museum directory
Browse all 162 museums across 27 countries, with visitor information, opening hours, and admission prices.