Sharjah World Championship Week
(08 Dec 2023 – 10 Dec 2023)
Sharjah24: The 21st UIM F1H2O World Championship final leg kicked off Sharjah World Championship Week, which is supported by Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council. The best sixteen international racers are competing in the powerboat Grand Prix of Sharjah, which is taking place on Khalid Lake.
The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) held a press conference at Khalid Lagoon to kick off this year’s week of intense excitement. In attendance were racers and a boisterous crowd, as well as Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCDTA, Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Vice Chairman of the Sharjah International Marine Sports Club (SIMSC), and Nicolo Di San Germano, International Promoter of Formula 1 Powerboat Racing.
The last leg of the UIM F1H20 World Championship will take place during the Sharjah World Championship Week. Thursday, Friday, and Sunday will mark the conclusion of the championship’s globe tour for 2022 as the 16 international racers will battle it out over a 2057-meter circuit for the coveted Road to Sharjah Grand Prix of Sharjah title and the Road to Sharjah Grand Prix of the Middle East title.
This year’s Grand Prix will feature two teams from the United Arab Emirates, despite the fact that the teams represent specific locations, they are free to recruit drivers from anywhere over the world. Speedboat 11 will be driven by the Sharjah team, with Finnish driver Sami Selio, and speedboat 12, driven by Ferdinand Zandbergen of the Netherlands. The American Shaun Torrente pilots speedboat 6 for the Abu Dhabi team, while Thani Al Qemzi, the lone Emirati, drives speedboat 5.
The Formula 1 World Powerboat Championship season’s final event being held in the emirate of Sharjah, according to Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCDTA, “reflects the vision and directives of Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed AlQasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah,” he emphasised during his keynote speech. This will help to enhance the emirate’s reputation as a leading destination for water sports enthusiasts and a global tourism hub. He stated that the authorities anticipate a seamless and thrilling race and that the racers’ safety is their first priority in the championship.
Sharjah Light Festival
(07 Feb 2024 – 18 Feb 2024)
The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority is responsible for organising the unique and mesmerising Sharjah Light Festival, which is well-known throughout the world for its amazing light and sound exhibits. You may see a plethora of incredible light installations, interactive art shows, and architectural projections while meandering through Sharjah’s streets. The most notable architectural structures in the city will be decked up in light shows that synchronise with global music during this period. In addition to enhancing the town’s attractiveness, this one-of-a-kind sightseeing experience in Sharjah opens the audience’s eyes to new creative possibilities that are reflected in the city’s abundance of culture, architecture, art, and history.
When and Where?
In February, the city is illuminated for multiple nights during the Sharjah Light Festival. From February 7–18, 2024, the Sharjah Light Festival will illuminate the emirate. It usually begins at 6:00 PM and lasts until 11:00 PM, giving visitors plenty of time to take in the many installations and light displays. This wonderful celebration takes place against the backdrop of Sharjah’s prominent sites, including the Al Noor Mosque, Al Qasba, and Al Majaz Waterfront, among others.
Things to Do in Sharjah During the Light Festival
There’s more to the Sharjah Light Festival than just marvelling at the dazzling displays. This is also the ideal time to discover everything Sharjah has to offer and immerse yourself in the dynamic local culture. During the celebration, Sharjah offers the following thrilling activities:
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Khalid Lagoon Corniche – The Art Walk
Discover the Art Walk, a second festival venue and some of the top things to do in Sharjah during the light festival, as you stroll along the Khalid Lagoon Corniche. The Art Walk showcases 80 projections of paintings by gifted students from Sharjah’s schools.
Dates: February 8 – 19
Location: Corniche St & Khalid Lake Trail Al Majaaz 3 – Al Majaz – Sharjah – United Arab Emirates
Timings: Sun-Wed: 4 PM – 11 PM, Thu – Sat: from 4 PM – 12 AM
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Al Noor Mosque – A Beacon of Light
The Al Noor Mosque beckons with its breathtaking light show, situated against the picturesque Al Majaz Waterfront backdrop. The light-filled mosque’s exterior pays homage to Islamic design features and themes, producing an amazing visual display.
Dates: February 8 – 19
Location: Al Noor Mosque
Timings: Sun-Wed: 4 PM – 11 PM, Thu – Sat: from 4 PM – 12 AM
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Sharjah Al Hisn Fort – A Symbol of Resilience
Discover the “Heart of Sharjah” at the heritage-designated Al Hisn Fort. Take the Hisn Avenue exit from the Souq Al Jubail intersection as you make your way through the streets. Among the top things to do in Sharjah is this.
Dates: February 8 – 19
Location: Heart of Sharjah- Al Shuwaihen area behind Souq Al Shanasiya.
Timings: Sun-Wed: 4 PM – 11 PM, Thu – Sat: from 4 PM – 12 AM
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Sharjah Mosque – A Celebration of Architecture
A sight to behold during the light show is Sharjah’s largest mosque. It is bright with vivid patterns, features, and themes, highlighting the beauty of its unique architecture. It is located at the crossroads of Sharjah Kalba Road and Emirates Road.
Dates: February 8 – 19
Location: Sharjah Mosque
Timings: Sun-Wed: 4 PM – 11 PM, Thu – Sat: from 4 PM – 12 AM
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Al Dhaid Fort – A Tribute to Resilience
Al Dhaid Road will lead you to Al Dhaid Fort. This popular tourist destination in Sharjah is a memorial to intrepid explorers of the past who flourished in harsh environments. The programme narrates the tale of an oasis that brought people together and how one man’s inventiveness changed the environment.
Dates: February 8 – 19
Location: Hay Al Sharee’ah – Sharjah – United Arab Emirates
Timings: Sun-Wed: 4 PM – 11 PM, Thu – Sat: from 4 PM – 12 AM
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Beeah Headquarters – One with Nature
Al Dhaid Road leads to the Beeah Headquarters. The late architect Zaha Hadid designed the headquarters to reflect the surrounding natural features. Featuring oryx herds, bird murmurations, schools of fish, and ocean waves to highlight the harmony between man and nature, this is one of the locations to visit in Sharjah with a light show that promotes sustainability.
Dates: February 8 – 19
Location: Al Rowdat Suburb – Rodhat Al Sidir – Sharjah – United Arab Emirates
Timings: Sun-Wed: 4 PM – 11 PM, Thu – Sat: from 4 PM – 12 AM
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University City Hall – Chasing the Light
In the University City Hall production “Chasing the Light,” the moving story of a little girl becoming an inspiration and symbol of hope is told. Witnessing this show while on the Sharjah tour will highlight how crucial it is to foster goals and dreams in order to create a better future.
Dates: February 8 – 19
Location: Sharjah – United Arab Emirates
Timings: Sun-Wed: 4 PM – 11 PM, Thu – Sat: from 4 PM – 12 AM
Xposure International Photography Festival
(28 Feb 2024 – 05 Mar 2024)
The next International Photography and Film Awards are being accepted for Sharjah’s Xposure International Photography Festival. Next year will be the seventh edition of the yearly competition. This year, almost 17,000 proposals from 180 countries were received for the festival and its awards component. In comparison to prior years, the organisers claim to have received an 80% increase in submissions.
Photographers, both amateur and professional, are encouraged to enter the competition by October 30. Photographers may enter up to ten videos or pictures in each category. Among them are photography for architecture, nature and landscape, portraiture, street, short films, photojournalism, and moving images. In partnership with Samsung, two more categories—Night Photography and Mobile Photography—have been established.
Additionally, one individual will be selected as the competition’s overall winner and awarded a $6,000 prize. Winners in each category will take home $3,000, while runners-up will get $1,500. During the festival, an exhibition will include the best five entries from each category.
Residents of the UAE are also given their own category. Amateurs who dabble in still photography, whether using mirrorless, DSLR, or phone cameras, are welcome to enter the Junior division. The photographs of the entries must date back at least three years. Xposure 2024 will feature an exhibition of the top seven pieces. The victors in first and second place will get prizes of equipment.