Sharjah Light Festival (2024) – All You Need to Know

What is the purpose of the Sharjah Light Festival?

Started in 2010, the Light Festival in Sharjah is one of the most anticipated annual events. An inspiration of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, it showcases the Arabian cultural legacy and heritage through the medium of advanced light technology and artists who can mould light into a masterpiece. The event evokes a sense of appreciation for Sharjah’s breathtaking landmarks and monuments which in turn boost Sharjah’s status as an incredible tourist spot. The festival sees the participation of brilliant lighting and video artists from all over the world, all working together to present a brilliant spectacle by delightfully illuminating the most iconic architecture and attractions across the city. These stunning illuminations are witnessed by millions of visitors who come every year to Sharjah during this awe-inspiring festival of lights.

Sharjah Light Festival 2024

Now in its 13th edition, the Sharjah Light Festival 2024 is all set to take the celebration up a notch. With the help of technological advancements, the decorations, lightings and musical celebrations are expected to be bigger and better than ever. In fact, you can expect to experience the Arabian culture and heritage in its entire grandeur, as this festival showcases Sharjah’s blend of Islamic art and modern architecture with an array of colours, lightings, and music. So, watch out as the UAE’s cultural capital will be alluringly brightened up for 12 days from 7th to 18th February 2024.

All About Sharjah Light Festival – Dates, Timing & Location

Dates:

February 7th to February 18th, 2024.

Timings:

Weekdays (Sunday to Wednesday): 18:00 hrs to 23:00 hrs

Weekend (Thursday to Saturday): 18:00 hrs to 24:00 hrs

The Light Village:

Weekdays (Sunday to Wednesday): 17:00 hrs to 24:00 hrs

Weekend (Thursday to Saturday): 17:00 hrs to 01:00 hrs

All Light shows will be paused during the Maghrib and Isha’a prayer.

Location:

All prominent landmarks across Sharjah

Sharjah Light Festival: Past Versions

The festival has emerged into a highly mesmeric and one of the most awaited Sharjah events for more than a decade. So let us see how it has evolved over time with some stunning additions every year.

• Sharjah Light Festival in 2014 saw a special parade that honored Sharjah’s winning of the title of the capital of Islamic culture in the same year. SLF 2016 became special for its launch of attractions like Palm Oasis Tunnel which beautifully combined nature with the latest techniques.
• SLF 2017 offered an absolutely immersive experience with high-end audio-visual techniques and mapping features.
• In 2018, some prestigious venues in Sharjah joined the festival, such as the Sharjah Police Academy.
• SLF 2019 turned out to be the most striking ever, with the presence of some of the world-renowned artists. It was attended by over 100,000 visitors from the UAE and other parts of the world. Social media channels chronicled 2.8 million interactions offering a clear understanding of the festival’s widespread appeal.
• The year 2020 brought together students of the American University of Sharjah and the University of Sharjah who created spellbinding shows that were showcased on the University buildings using modern illuminations and technology.
• In 2022, Sharjah Light Festival honored the country’s 50th Anniversary celebrations with ‘Echoes of Future’.
• 2023 was an exciting year for SLF where ground-breaking technology was used to create interactive projections to offer a real-time interactive experience among the riot of colors for SLF visitors. The event had a record-breaking 1.3 million visitors attending the festival.
• This year, the event is back with even more incredible ways to take in the spectrum of light and hues that are mixed and moulded in ways that are beyond the grasp of the spectators.

Sharjah Lights Festival Events

As one of the most popular festivals in the Emirate’s calendar of UAE, the Sharjah Light Festival is decorated by the best of artists, both local and from all around the world across the prominent locations of the city. The shows are exhibited in some of the best places to visit in Sharjah. The chosen locations for the light show this year are Sharjah Police Headquarters, Al Rafisah Dam, Al Noor Mosque, Kalba Waterfront, Sharjah Mosque, BEEAH HQ, Al Dhaid Fort, Al Hamriyah New General Souk, Al Majaz Waterfront, Khalid Lagoon, Dibba Al Hisn city, and a few other mini locations across the emirate.

Apart from these, visitors can enjoy special shows at Light Village opposite University City Hall.

There are also many events being organized at the same time to encourage the participation of the visitors and offer more fun, entertainment, and involvement. You’ll also get to be part of several cultural performances, carried out by talented artists showcasing their amazing talent during this time. and even try out an amazing array of cuisine from the world around!

Some of the unmissable events during the Sharjah Light Festival 2024 include:

• Luminous Gardens: Taking place at Sharjah Police Headquarters, the astounding building becomes a canvas for a spectacular, vibrant light projection show that tell the dreams and aspiration of people of Sharjah as a community.
• The Jewel of Rafisah Dam: A spellbinding 3D video mapping show, blending Sharjah’s Golden Age with UAE’s rich natural sceneries and its transformation to present day. Wait for the spectacular ‘Queen of Swans’ spectacle featuring the elegant dance of 12 swans. The gentling rippling water transforming into a colorful stage of storytelling and an impressive visual spectacle is a sight to behold!
• Enchanted Dimensions: Take an otherworldly journey through the medium of spirituality and art with a unique show at Al Noor Mosque. Immerse yourself in a mesmerizing blend of Islamic heritage and cutting-edge technology, as this visually stunning exhibition weaves together mosaic, and arabesque intricacies overlapping on the facade of the mosque.
• Elemental Reflections: Set forth to Kalba Waterfront to watch how impressive illuminations and sound with amazing technology convey the aspects of nature and humanity.
• A Sublime Canvas: Watch your jaws drop in awe as one of emirate’s most beautiful mosque, the Sharjah Mosque is showcased in a new perspective through the combination of bright artwork of illumination and 3-dimensional projections of contrasting, vivid colors.
• Waves of Reflection: The Waves of Reflection at Al Majaz Waterfront invites you to immerse in a visual treat that reflects the city’s pulsating vibe through a mesmerizing kinetic lights installation merging art and technology to the finest!
• The Past Meets The Future: This exclusive video mapping show at the Al Hamriya area will take you through the region’s diverse eras and styles.

Sharjah Light Festival Highlights

• Besides the cultural events and performances, another super highlight of the show is the cultural festival parade that goes through the street provoking the onlookers to mix together and indulge in the spirit of the festival.
• Of all the buildings decorated, the illuminated Sharjah Police Headquarters is one of the most famous highlights of the festival. Renowned as an emblem of the emirate’s safety, identity and legacy; the façade is beautified with the graphic motion design. The drone show along with the illumination adds a spellbinding touch to awe the audience. Furthermore, with the advent of AI, its features has been included in the shows to take the thrill further.
• The venue opposite Sharjah University City Hall is now converted into ‘The Light Village’ showcasing a series of 3D stereoscopic show that aims at transforming your imagination.It puts up 4 fascinating exhibits that offer immersive visual treats through modern technology. ‘The Cosmic Bubble’ and ‘Mirrors in the Sky’ experiences at the Immersive Gallery are quite extraordinary experiences definitely worth visiting. Within the Light Village, you can enjoy some exciting rides and games at the Play Zone, the ambience of which is colorful, lively and quite exciting for kids to join in the dazzling fun during SLF. This magical adventure play arena offers games, arcade fun, and a captivatingly illuminated carousel to enjoy and create lasting memories.
• One of the gorgeous aspects to witness during this festival is the three-dimensional effects projected on the popular buildings. This year, the walls, pillars, and arches of Al Noor Mosque, Al Hamriyah New General Souk, Al Dhaid Fort and Sharjah Mosque all transform into a spectacular show of design and colors offering a rare visual treat to the onlookers.
• Being the sustainability aspect core to the festival’s agenda, you can be assured that all lights as well as technologies employed in the festival strictly abide by environmental compliance.
• While the city’s main landmarks are awash with stunning lights and colors, other lightings in the region will be switched off during the festival, thus saving more than 60% of power in the region. One of the specialties of SLF 2024 is the Food Zone at The Light Village (opposite University City Hall). With over 50 food stalls and outlets, it allows you to relish both local and international delights.
• At the University City Hall, a distinct and unprecedented 3D stereoscopic show will be taking place that aims at transforming your imagination through its impeccable typography. See complex street maps transmuting into geometric Arab patterns, time designs, science forms, and a lot more.
• Touted as one of the most popular festivals and cultural events in the UAE, the Sharjah light festival portrays the amazing Islamic architectural brilliance of Sharjah’s illustrious monuments, sights, and cultural heritage. Its high popularity attracts more millions of visitors each year. Since the Sharjah Light Festival starts in the evening, it is the perfect way to stretch your day after sundown and enjoy the illuminated night-time of Sharjah. So off you go to explore Sharjah’s amazing day attractions such as the Adventureland Sharjah, Sharjah National Park, Sharjah Desert Park and then head back to the prominent locations all around Sharjah to enjoy mesmerising light shows with your near and dear ones.

Conclusion

Surely, the Sharjah Light Festival forms a spectacle that shouldn’t be missed out. So what are you waiting for? Come see for yourself some of Sharjah’s most beautiful architecture and attractions placed under a magical spell during the twelve-day festival.