Here are All the Details About the Opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum

Egypt is gearing up for one of its most ambitious cultural launches ever: the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), situated on the Giza Plateau near the pyramids, will officially open on Saturday, November 1, 2025.

The event marks the culmination of decades of planning, construction and restoration, and promises to reshape Egypt’s cultural and tourism landscape.

The Opening Ceremony

The grand opening ceremony will be a historic, globally televised event, attended by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, senior government officials, foreign dignitaries, and ministers from around the world. Leaders and cultural figures from countries across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia are expected to attend, underscoring Egypt’s influence as a cultural hub.

The celebration will include spectacular live performances, light shows illuminating the Pyramids of Giza, and musical tributes highlighting Egypt’s heritage and modern artistry. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the event will also feature a special unveiling of the museum’s main galleries, including displays never before seen by the public. Select international media outlets will broadcast the ceremony live, while highlights will be shared across Egypt’s official tourism channels.

The Egyptian government has declared November 1 a paid public holiday, giving citizens the opportunity to celebrate and witness the landmark event.

What Will the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) Feature?

At the heart of GEM’s unveiling is its 12 main permanent galleries, which span the full arc of ancient Egyptian civilisation—from the predynastic era through the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms, right to the Greco-Roman period. Alongside this, the museum will house more than 100,000 artefacts, many displayed for the first time ever, including treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun. While the full King Tut galleries are anticipated, reports indicate the core galleries will be ready for visitors at launch. 

Visitors to GEM will step into what is described as one of the largest museums in the world dedicated to a single civilisation. The architectural design itself is a narration of the journey—starting at the level of the Nile Valley and ascending via a monumental grand staircase to the plateau with panoramic views of the Great Pyramids. At the base, the iconic 83-ton granite statue of Ramesses II greets guests in the Grand Hall, setting the tone for an immersive expedition through ancient Egypt. 

Guideline for Visitors

When it comes to visitor logistics, the museum will offer both general admission and guided tours. Tickets can be booked online or purchased at the museum’s ticket booth (credit/debit card only—cash is not accepted). 

The site also features restaurants, boutique stores and elevated amenities befitting a world-class institution. Accessibility has also been built in: the Grand Staircase offers a moving walkway and elevators for visitors with mobility needs.

From a tourism perspective, GEM’s launch is strategically timed. Egypt hopes the museum becomes a magnet for cultural travelers, boosting tourism revenue and reinforcing the country’s global cultural branding. For travellers planning a Cairo visit, the Giza site offers synergy—after visiting the Pyramids, one will soon be able to walk into GEM and explore thousands of years of history in one location.