Louvre Abu Dhabi recorded more than 1.4 million visitors in 2024, marking its highest attendance since its grand opening and bringing the total visitor count to more than 6 million. This achievement highlights the museum’s dedication to creating cultural connections through world-class exhibitions, engaging educational initiatives and immersive visitor experiences.
Reflecting its global appeal, international visitors made up 84 percent of total attendance. China and Russia led with 12 percent each, followed by India at 7 percent, and France and the UK at 6 percent each.
“Louvre Abu Dhabi’s record-breaking yearly attendance reflects the museum’s contribution to the cultural transformation of the emirate. Through its collections, exhibitions and programming, this institution has enriched lives both in the UAE community and around the world, revealing cultural connections and showcasing our shared humanity,” stated Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.
Record single-day attendance on UAE National Day
Noteworthy moments in 2024 included International Museum Day on May 18 and the UAE National Day on December 2, which recorded single-day attendance milestones of 15,075 and 15,477 visitors, respectively, driven by innovative programming.
The museum’s exhibitions in 2024 captivated audiences and earned widespread acclaim, drawing more than 663,000 visitors. Some highlights included Cartier: Islamic Inspiration and Modern Design, From Kalila wa Dimna to La Fontaine: Travelling through Fables, Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2024, and Post-Impressionism: Beyond Appearances, which emerged as a standout, welcoming 175,705 visitors and offering fresh insights into this artistic movement.
“2024 marks a defining year for the museum, truly our best yet across every aspect. As we celebrate our seventh year, we reflect on the growth and maturity we’ve achieved, a testament to the confidence we’ve built since our opening,” said Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi.
The museum’s commitment to expanding its collection through major acquisitions and loans played a significant role in driving visitor numbers throughout the year. Through three carefully curated rotations in 2024, Louvre Abu Dhabi continued to enrich its universal narrative and reinforce its reputation as a leading cultural destination, attracting visitors from all over the world.
“Our deep connection to local culture and heritage has been a driving force, as evidenced by the repeated visitation from UAE residents. We’ve not only contributed to, but also benefited from, the exceptional tourism success of the emirate,” added Rabaté.
Children’s Museum welcomes 357,117 young visitors
Louvre Abu Dhabi’s Children’s Museum flourished and welcomed 357,117 young visitors in 2024. The ongoing success of its flagship exhibition, Picturing the Cosmos, has drawn around 500,000 visitors since its opening in 2023.
Coupled with dynamic initiatives like summer camps and special activations in partnership with Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre in the presence of Emirati Astronauts, the Children’s Museum continues to stand out as a creative haven for young minds.
Museum deepens community connection
In 2024, Louvre Abu Dhabi also deepened its connection with the community through a record 64,223 student and teacher visits, a 41 percent increase from 2023. By aligning its educational resources with school curricula, the museum empowered educators to weave art into everyday learning.
Dynamic cultural programming attracted 18,735 attendees, creating moments of shared joy and discovery through initiatives such as the talks series, outdoor film screenings, live dance and music performances and secret dinners inspired by the museum’s latest exhibition.
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Louvre Abu Dhabi expands digital footprint
Louvre Abu Dhabi also expanded its digital footprint, welcoming 173,400 app users in 2024 and introducing AI-powered features that made discovering its collection easier and more engaging than ever. The entire collection is now accessible online, opening doors to audiences worldwide.
To captivate younger audiences, the museum expanded its Adventures in the Museum podcast series in Arabic and launched Secret of the Dome Stars, an interactive gamified experience in the museum galleries that brought hidden stories to life in a fun and engaging way.
As Louvre Abu Dhabi celebrates its successes in 2024, the museum eagerly anticipates the opening of Kings and Queens of Africa in January 2025. This exhibition aims to transport visitors through captivating narratives of African art and heritage.
Building on the momentum of its grants and fellowships program launched in 2024, Louvre Abu Dhabi remains dedicated to advancing research, fostering artistic exploration, and championing cultural dialogue.
