Sharjah Light Festival 2024: Family-friendly village opens with art and dining pop-ups

Hypersonic multimedia tunnel and digital padel court await at market-style venue, which runs alongside the main event

The village is a market-style venue that is part of Sharjah Light Festival 2024. All photos: Leslie Pableo for The National

Light Village, opposite University City Hall of Sharjah, runs alongside the festival

Light-themed activities await

Attractions at the market-style venue include a hypersonic multimedia tunnel as well as a digital padel court

There is also an F&B zone featuring more than 50 home-grown eateries

Dancers perform at the opening of Light Village

The attraction will also support youth initiatives and national projects to stimulate the national economy

There's also a play zone for children

Light Village has opened a few days before the Sharjah Light Festival, which will begin on February 7

Visitors at the Light Village on its opening night

There will be a number of light-themed attractions and experiences

Light village is spread across 19,000 square metres

The outdoor venue features plenty of activities for the entire family

The F&B area is called SLF Eats

Ahead of its opening on Wednesday, Sharjah Light Festival has opened Light Village, a family-friendly attraction filled with installations, experiences and food.

The first of its kind in the region, 12 landmarks and sites will be illuminated during the festival, with daily light shows every evening at each location. The festival, now in its 13th year, will run until February 18.

Light Village, which is opposite the University City Hall of Sharjah, will complement the festival, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority said.

Attractions at the market-style venue include a hypersonic multimedia tunnel as well as a digital padel court.

There's also an Immersive Experiences Tent, where "cosmic bubbles" created by light await, as well as a ball pit where they can roll around multicoloured bubbles. Inside the tent is also Mirrors in the Sky, an art exhibition of mirror spheres, where viewers will find themselves and the sky reflected endlessly in a collection of giant mirrored balls.

A play zone for children as well as an F&B zone featuring more than 50 venues will also be at the venue.

"This entertaining family destination will cater to the needs of Sharjah residents and visitors and, at the same time, support youth initiatives and national projects to stimulate the national economy, " said Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman of the authority.

"Our aim is to foster creativity and innovation across various fields, contribute to entrepreneurship in SMEs, and enhance our community's vibrancy and economic growth."

Landmarks to be lit up during the festival this year include Sharjah Police Headquarters, Al Rafisah Dam, Al Noor Mosque, Kalba Waterfront, Sharjah Mosque, BEEAH Headquarters, Al Dhaid Fort, Al Hamriyah New General Souk, Al Majaz Waterfront, Khalid Lagoon and Dibba Al Hisn city.

Tickets to Sharjah Light Festival are priced Dh10. More information is available at sharjahlightfestival.ae