Sharjah Light Festival – Riot of Colors
Sharjah, the cultural capital of United Arab Emirates, continues to dazzle the world with its commendable light festival! I am just back after witnessing the grandeur of coordination of lights and colors in different pockets of Sharjah. The stunning colourful architectural landscape displayed through this Sharjah Light Festival is mesmerizing beyond words.
Sharjah Light Festival History
Sharjah Light Festival started in the year 2011. This initiative aims at economic development, supports its infrastructure and also attracts international investors, all in turn develops a balanced economy.
Through this festival the emirate of Sharjah celebrates their rich heritage, artistic creativity and culture reflecting their glorious history. Their aim with Light Festival is to make Sharjah’s status as a favourite international tourist destination, emphasis the emirate’s magnificent Islamic architecture and cultural heritage.
Light festival are very happening events in parts of Europe, Sharjah has taken a cue from this and brought out a dazzling version of light festival. In the very first year they held the light show in 12 locations across the Emirate.
Al Noor Mosque – Sharjah Light Festival Location
Technicalities of Sharjah Light Festival
What I witnessed is a virtual redrawing of the outline of the Mosques and other monuments. They have used light and computer animation perfectly. Colors and patterns kept changing and all in a span of no time! The bright visuals kind of cast a spell on viewers.
The light shows are supervised and monitored by world class professionals and artistes. The Sharjah Light Festival uses high quality light presentation technique with Light Emitting Diode (LED), this minimizes power consumption.
Sharjah Light Festival Locations
14 different locations across Sharjah will be lit up in this festival. The locations include architectural landmarks, mosques and historic buildings. I saw some of them come to life with dazzling light displays and musical performances.
Khalid Lagoon in the centre of Sharjah City hosts the main event. The interactive show will be hosted at by Dr Sultan Al Qasimi Centre for Gulf Studies. The festival is on from 2nd of February to 11th of February.
Eye of Sharjah lit up for Sharjah Light Festival
The locations for Sharjah Light Festival include:
University City Hall,
Cultural Palace,
Al Noor Mosque,
Al Taqwa Mosque
Al Qasba besides the interactive light shows in the Palm Garden
the parade on the Khalid Lagoon Corniche
Kalba University,
Khor Fakkan University,
Dibba Mosque,
Al Dhaid Mosque
Masjid Sheikh Rashid Bin Ahmad Al Qasimi in Dibba.
Interactive technology show at Dr Sultan Al Qasimi Centre for Gulf Studies
University City Hall Sharjah
On 2nd we all assembled at University City Hall witness the light show of Sharjah Light Festival, unfortunately rain Gods decided to shower its blessings right at the moment of start. Disappointed we had to exit the venue.
I later went on to Al Noor Mosque and Al Majad mosque which were beautifully lit up monuments. They too figure in the list of Light Festival Locations.
Later on 4th February we again went to University City Hall Sharjah. The effervescent dance of lights accompanied by some scintillating music created a heady experience for us. The spotlight was on Sharjah’s rich cultural heritage and history. Themes changed, colors changed, patterns changed and all done so flawlessly! The monument seemed to be bathed with colorful lights depicting history and art.
Here is a You tube video of 5minutes on the display of lights on University City Hall. Do sit with a warm cup of tea/coffee and enjoy the show.
I am thankful to Sharjah Tourism Board and Air Arabia for giving this golden opportunity to witness such a grand festival.
Where to Stay in Sharjah?
Royal Tulip The Act hotel is strategically located near the festival illumination points and near other sightseeing destinations. I stayed the hotel for 4 nights. Check out the review here – Royal Tulip The Act Hotel.
Things to Do in Sharjah
While you are there to see the festival of lights which is must do activity for nights, during the day you can check out the museum, go for shopping in Sharjah and also for Desert Safari.
Mleiha Desert Safari
Shopping for Souvenirs in Sharjah
Best Museums in Sharjah
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Beautiful pictures Indrani….These guys really know how to do things in a style. I am so glad you covered this…it does bring out the different side of Sharjah. And then of course, cannot stop recalling my own lovely days here.
Your pictures look so magical. All the lit up buildings, mosques in Sharjah are adding an extra charm to the whole city. I will love to witness this light festival in real one day for sure.
Very beautiful all those builings that are lit up in such bright and toned colours! Sharjah Light Festival must really be marvellous to see in real time.
That’s so beautiful! I wish I could see that! Next time, when I visit my friends in Dubai, I’ll try to do visit Sharjah. It looks so stunning!
Such gorgeous works of light around the city! I had no idea any other city did this – similar to Vivid in Sydney!
I’d never heard of the light festival in Sharjah, but it looks so beautiful! I love that all the buildings look so pretty and different lit up at night, a totally different experience to seeing them during the day.
Wow! That’s stunning. I’ve been to the London Lumiere festival and it was very similar. The way the lights fall on the monuments is just breathtaking. I’d love to see it myself!
Those lights are ridiculously great! I love a lights show myself and wouldn’t mind checking these out. I’ve only gone as far as Dubai!
I have never even heard of this festival! Just wow…it looks like some large arcade game or futuristic cinema! It also looks like someone graffiti-ed the entire Mosque. I have never seen anything like this but now it’s definitely added to my bucket list! This makes for awesome pictures.
This is amazing. Looks like a completely different world out there. It is interesting to see how different tourism boards are taking initiatives to encourage tourism.
Saw the video the other day on your youtube and really like it. Nice way to promote tourism. But I guess apart from light and sound festival which can be monotonous after a certain point of time, the old architecture is quite fascinating
I had never heard of this light festival before! It looks AMAZING. I’d absolutely love to see this in person. Great post, thanks for sharing 🙂
Light shows now have become modes for entertainment. The more spectacular the shows are, the better for the host city to attract tourists and boost its economy. Definitely, these shows have evolved and elevated into a new and higher level of which Sharjah is no exception.
Lovely pics from Sharjah Light Festival . And the video looks fab too.
Interesting to learn about this Light Festival, never heard about it before reading this post. Did you know that many French Gothic cathedrals are illuminated like this in summer time? That “colored” mosque on your post remind me of that . .
This looks truly spectacular!
What delightful photographs! The architecture is all of UAE is from out of the world altogether and this festival seems to be quite unique! I am
Almost always in dubai around that time, must keep a reminder the next time…Sharjah is so close!
The light festivals are very fascinating, we have attended quite a few in India but Sharjah is yet to be visited. We are completely in awe of your pictures. It’s also amazing to know that several great monuments and buildings around the city are also lit with wonderful lights. Lovely post!
I will be honest with you, I lived in Dubai for almost 3 years but never heard of this festival. The truth is that unfortunately, in Dubai they don’t promote the cultural events very well. Instead, this month they are just promoting the Dubai Shopping Festival. Thanks for sharing this, good to know that Sharjah old this kind of events
Lovely views of Sharjah. I have seen a lot of Dubai in other blogs but Sharjah is less visited I guess. But I remember those days when our cricket teams used to face off in Sharjah. The light show reminded me of Purana Qila.
It’s so beautiful and illuminating. I just read a post on this festival by Mridula and again here, it surely a spectacular view. 🙂
This reminds me of the Vivid music and light festival in Sydney. Love how the displays are so versatile each year!
Wow! I’ve never seen light shows or displays like this. Leave it to the UAE to be over the top!
I was in Sharjah Airport as a layover the last year. I was dying to see it but due to my poor planning missed the opportunity. The festival makes it look all the more alluring.
This is mesmerizing, a total treat to eyes, BEAUTIFUL ??
I’ve never heard of this light festival, the buildings and mosques looks so beautiful drenched in colorful lights
Spectacular! I’ve never heard of this festival but it definitely looks worth the effort. The colours on the buildings really add to the beauty of the architecture. On my list!
Wow! Magnificent displays! I’ve never heard of this festival. There is something similar in Lyon, France at Christmas. I bet this is even more beautiful in person.
Spectacular displays, the buildings and mosques looks so beautiful drenched in colorful lights! Wonder how it would be combined with music…:)
Wow pics Indrani.
Amazing.. lovely shots..
They have used light and computer animation perfectly. Colors and patterns kept changing and all in a span of no time! The bright visuals kind of cast a spell on viewers. Wow !! what a beautiful lighting . The second last picture is just amazing . Very well written information.
Great pictures! Like the colours!
Very colorful
Grand and gorgeous.
This is one spectacular show….! Must be an altogether different experience watching it live 🙂
The lights look incredible – I could spend hours watching the projections. This would be such a magical festival to attend. I would love to see it myself one day!
The photographs are enticing and the lighting is marvelous. Perfect coordination of lights. The photographs have blown me away. Simply Spectacular.
I have watched several light shows in the past but this one looks quite different and really interesting! I loved the different animations and the colors that highlight the beauty of the monuments even more! I hope that I will have the chance to watch it next year!
This is so cool! I love light festivals and the Sharjah Light Festival looks fantastic. Love all the fun and funky colors and designs. Looks like a great experience!
Wow, leave it up to the UAE to bring the WOW factor. The each display is impressive individually, but the collective ensemble is nothing short of stunning. Thank you for sharing. I could imagine anchoring a trip to Sharjah just to watch the light festival.
This looks simply amazing. I love the festivals of light, although didn’t know Sharjah has one. I always loved Diwali here in India, has been my favorite ever since. When I visit Sharjah , I will time my visit to match the light festival
WOW – this looks amazing. I watched the video and I cannot believe the effects that can be made with just lights. I would love to visit and see this live one day.
What a fantastic experience this must have been, the projections are spectacular. We were fortunate to see a similar one in Dublin though it was quite chilly so being somewhere warm to enjoy it must have been a real treat
I had no clue that there’s a Light Festival in Sharjah! These pictures are beautiful and call for a visit!
Parampara-Parichay
This looks simply amazing! I have heard of the festival of lights before as we also have it in London but i never went to see it. However, from your photos I see how spectacular looks on Arab architecture. I would love to visit.
Absolutely gorgeous and I feel even worse for missing the event this year! The city changes it’s face completely during the night with these colourful lights…fascinating indeed!
It was so so nice to witness it with you and click with you by my side:) Thanks Indrani ! hope we do it again 🙂
Lovely pics! 🙂
Lovely photos! Sounds like you had a great time!
Awww. This so beautiful, perfect combination of lighting and music. What an experience it will be. My husband is into all these lighting animations. I was impressed by his techniques but these are much more than that.
I’ve never heard of this light festival, but I know that festivals like this are quite spectacular and popular. Thanks so much for sharing.
A fantastic looking experience. The best light shows offer a truly magical kaleidoscope of colours, and this one looks like it offers exactly that. Great stuff 🙂
What a unique festival! I’ve been following it on twitter, and I must say, as always I’m blown by the Middle East aesthetic! So opulent and over the top, but always done so well!
Amazing pics from ‘ Sharjah Light Festival’ . Thanks for the video.
Awesome post.
It looks amazing…perfect coordination of lights of different color