From a futuristic sci-fi attraction in Los Angeles to a monumental celebration of a millennia-old Aboriginal civilisation, 2026 promises some of the most exciting museum openings in years. These long-awaited cultural landmarks are worth traveling for.
Museums Redefining Cities
Globally, museums are expanding in scale and ambition. New landmark cultural centres will reshape skylines from Chicago to Central Asia. Some are designed by world-renowned architects, demonstrating how museums can define a city while attracting visitors from across the globe.
This phenomenon is sometimes called the “Bilbao effect,” named after the surge in tourism after Spain’s Guggenheim museum opened in 1997. Planners hope to recreate this success with several ambitious 2026 openings, including a new Guggenheim and other high-profile museums.
Who Curated the List
The selections were made by Virginia-based journalist Larry Bleiberg, who has spent 30 years exploring the intersection of travel, history, and culture. Known for stopping at every historical marker, he considers a museum pass an essential travel tool.
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, Los Angeles
Shaped like a giant flying saucer, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles feels like it belongs in a Star Wars film. Founded by the legendary director George Lucas and his wife Mellody Hobson, it will open in September 2026 and showcase props and costumes from the iconic sci-fi saga—but its scope extends far beyond film.
Dedicated to narrative art, the $1 billion museum houses over 40,000 items, including works by Norman Rockwell, Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Beatrix Potter. Comic legends like Jack Kirby, co-creator of the Marvel universe, and underground artist R. Crumb are also featured. Conceptual designer Ralph McQuarrie’s original Star Wars designs, including Darth Vader, C-3PO, and R2-D2, are on display as well.
The five-storey, 300,000 sq. ft museum offers two theatres and an expansive setting for exhibits. Located in South Los Angeles’ Exposition Park—home to the city’s most-visited museums and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum—the site includes an outdoor park, amphitheatre, hanging garden, and waterfall fountain.
Also debuting in Los Angeles in spring 2026 is Dataland, a museum devoted to art created with artificial intelligence, adding a futuristic complement to the city’s cultural landscape.
