Sharjah Light Festival: All you need to know about the 13 shows that will light up the emirate
Get a glimpse of history and culture through the festival that runs till February 19
Dubai: The Sharjah Light Festival has returned for its 12th season and visitors will be able to enjoy light installations by globally renowned artists at popular landmarks in the area. All the light shows are free to attend and each of them has a theme that resonates with the history of the landmark.
Here is all you need to know about the light shows and the Light Village.
The Light Village
The Sharjah Light Festival’s Light Village is located opposite at the University City Hall, and has a new light museum, along with play areas and food outlets. Apart from the entertainment options at the Light Village, you can also visit the following locations to enjoy light shows.
Note: Shows will be on hold during the Maghrib and Isha’a prayer, Maghreb Prayer: 6:05 PM to 6:35, Isha Prayer: 7:25 pm to 8:10
Al Noor Mosque
Dates: February 8 - 19
Location: Al Noor Mosque
Directions
Located at the Al Majaz Waterfront, you can reach the mosque by taking the Corniche Street (S110). You will find the service lane for the mosque to your right, after you cross the Al Nakheel Oasis park.
Timings:
Sun - Wed: 4pm - 11pm
Thu - Sat: 4pm - 12am
The light show will pay tribute to Islamic design motifs and elements through the iconic mosque’s structure.
Khalid Lagoon Corniche - The Art Walk
Dates: February 8 - 19
Directions
This is the second Light Festival location along the Corniche Street. You can find the installation stretching from the Al Noor Mosque, up to the Al Qasba Canal entrance.
Timings
Sun - Wed: 4pm - 11pm
Thu - Sat: from 4pm - 12am
The Art Walk has 80 projections featuring paintings by children from schools across Sharjah, giving a glimpse into the mind of young artists.
Al Rafisah Dam
Dates: February 8 - 19
Directions
The Al Rafisah Dam is in Khorfakkan and to get to the light show, you would need to take the Khorfakkan Ring Road, and follow signs for Al Rafisah Dam. You will find the light show location right before you reach the Hawd Al Bid’ah lake.
Timings:
Sun - Wed: 4pm - 11pm
Thu - Sat: 4pm - 12am
This light show will present a story with the underlying theme of how much of a difference a lone traveller can make. In the light show, visitors will witness the story of a man who finds a way to build something that will last decades and works diligently to ensure that other life – both human and animal – can enjoy the results of his hard work.
Sharjah Al Hisn Fort
Dates: February 8 - 19
Directions
Al Hisn Fort is in Sharjah’s popular heritage area, also referred to as the ‘Heart of Sharjah’. When you are at the Souq Al Jubail interchange, take the exit for Al Marija Street (S118). Take a right at the roundabout, to get on the Corniche Street. After driving for approximately 400 metres, take the exit to your right for Hisn Avenue. You will find the fort located at the central roundabout on this road. You can find parking spots around you at the market nearby or under any of the buildings in the area.
Timings:
Sun - Wed: 4pm - 11pm
Thu - Sat: 4pm - 12am
The underlying message of the light show at the Al Hisn fort is in line with the fort’s history. The Al Hisn fort has been rebuilt several times over the years and the theme of the light show focuses on human fortitude and how, just like the fort, people can also find strength and purpose when they work together.
Sharjah Mosque
Dates: February 8 - 19
Location: Sharjah Mosque
Directions
Sharjah Mosque is located at the intersection of two highways – Emirates Road (E611) and Sharjah Kalba Road (E102, which takes the road number S116 in Sharjah). When driving down E611, in the direction of Dubai to Sharjah, you will find the mosque to your right, after you cross the Khawaneej Camel racetrack.
Timings
Sun - Wed: 4pm - 11pm
Thu - Sat: 4pm - 12am
The distinctive architecture of the largest mosque in Sharjah is celebrated at the light show here, as the lights illuminate the entire façade of the mosque, with colours, patterns, elements, and motifs.
Kalba Clock Tower
Dates: February 8 - 19
Directions
The Kalba Clock Tower is located on one of the main roundabouts on Al Wahda Street (E99) in Kalba. When driving from Sharjah city, take the Sharjah-Kalba Road (E102), and turn left when you reach the roundabout next to the Kalba flagpole. Drive down the road for a kilometer and you will reach the roundabout which has the Kalba Clock Tower. There is parking easily available in the surrounding areas.
Timings:
Sun - Wed: 4pm - 11pm
Thu - Sat: from 4pm - 12am
The light show here at the clock tower will celebrate the blue hour, a time of day when the sun has just set or is about to rise, when the sky takes on a deep blue colour. According to the official website of Sharjah’s Light Festival – sharjahlightfestival.ae – the simplicity and sheer beauty of this natural phenomenon creates a mystical mood that captures the vacuum between day and night, adding a sense of timelessness. “While your journey might start in shades and forms of blue, you are also introduced to a wider spectrum that explores wider interpretations of this elusive moment in time,” the website states.
Al Dhaid Fort
Dates: February 8 - 19
Directions
You can reach the fort easily by taking the Al Dhaid Road (E88). The fort is at the end of this road to your left when you reach the Al Dhaid Mall roundabout.
Timings
Sun - Wed: 4pm - 11pm
Thu - Sat: from 4pm - 12am
The light show here will pay tribute to the enterprising travellers of old, who found ways to flourish and thrive in challenging conditions. The show focuses on an oasis that brought people together and how one man found inventive ways to make the most of the land.
Al Hamriyah Municipality
Dates: February 8 - 19
Directions
Al Hamriyah Municipality is located along Al Ittihad Road (E11). When driving down Al Ittihad Road, you need to drive from Sharjah to Ajman. As soon as you reach the Al Hamriyah Port area, you will find the municipality to your left, after crossing Hamriyah Free Zone.
Timings:
Sun - Wed: 4pm - 11pm
Thu - Sat: from 4pm - 12am
The show here will celebrate the importance of living in a land that supports its people and gives them a chance to grow in a safe and peaceful environment.
Al Majaz Waterfront
Dates: February 8 - 19
Directions
You can reach the Al Majaz Waterfront by taking the Corniche Street and heading towards the Al Majaz 2 area. The waterfront is located within Al Majaz Park.
Timings:
Sun - Wed: 4pm - 11pm
Thu - Sat: from 4pm - 12am
The Echoes of Dawn light and sound show at Al Majaz Waterfront will have over 150 LED light panels, inspired by Islamic geometric patterns.
University City Hall
Dates: February 8 - 19
Directions
University City Hall is in Sharjah University City. You can reach the location by taking the Sharjah Ring Road (S102) and following signs for Sharjah University City.
Timings
Sun - Wed: 4pm - 11pm
Thu - Sat: from 4pm - 12am
The light show at University City hall will follow the journey of a little girl experience life as she grows up to become an inspiration for others. The show will highlight the importance of keeping dreams and hopes for the future alive.
Masjid Sheikh Rashid Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi
Dates: February 8 - 19
Directions
The mosque is in Dibba Al Hisn city. The easiest way to reach the location is to enter the following plus code in your smartphone’s navigation app: J77H+R8C Dibba Al-Hisn, Sharjah
Timings:
Sun - Wed: 4pm - 11pm
Thu - Sat: from 4pm - 12am
The facade of the Sheikh Rashid Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi mosque contains floral mosaics inspired by the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. At the light show here, you will be able to appreciate the architecture of this mosque through geometric Islamic patterns and foliate ornaments.
Beeah Headquarters
Dates: February 8 - 19
Directions
You can reach the Beeah Headquarters by taking the Al Dhaid Road (E88). Once you pass the Sharjah Cement Factor to your left, drive for another three kilometres, and you will find the headquarters to your left, with a road leading towards it.
Timings
Sun - Wed: 4pm - 11pm
Thu - Sat: from 4pm - 12am
Beeah is a Sharjah-based environmental and waste management company and its new headquarter, designed by the late architect Zaha Hadid, reflects the natural elements that can be found in its surroundings. The light show at the Beeah Headquarters also reflects this theme, with a focus on sustainability. At the light show, you will see herds of oryxes, murmuration of birds, schools of fish and ocean waves, among other elements from nature.
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