Al Dhaid Honey Festival 2025 marks its closing day at Expo Al Dhaid on Sunday 7 December 2025, wrapping up a four day celebration that began on Thursday 4 December 2025 and turned the central Sharjah town into a meeting point for beekeepers, traders and families. The event, organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Expo Al Dhaid, runs approximately from 10:00 to 22:00 and acts as a strategic platform to support the Emirati honey industry and the wider beekeeping sector. Over 70 exhibitors are expected, including honey farms, specialist companies and family businesses from across the UAE and the wider region. Visitors can sample different honey varieties, learn about their origins and pick up jars directly from producers at fair style stalls. Because this is a community trade and culture event rather than a luxury exhibition, the mood stays relaxed and accessible for everyone (children/family-friendly, suitable for couples, solo).
Festival background and purpose in Al Dhaid
The Al Dhaid Honey Festival started as part of Sharjah’s wider push to promote agricultural heritage, and the 2025 edition is officially described as the second season of the event. The concept is simple but ambitious: bring beekeepers, traders, equipment suppliers and consumers into one shared space so they can trade, network and learn. Organisers link the festival to the UAE’s food security goals and to efforts to diversify local agricultural production, especially in central and eastern Sharjah where farming still plays a strong role. Competitions such as “Best Sidr Honey”, “Best Honeycomb” and “Best Samar Honey” help raise quality standards, with winners recognised in front of peers and buyers. Because the programme focuses on both commercial opportunities and heritage storytelling, it attracts serious industry figures and casual visitors at the same time.
Programme highlights on the last festival day
On Sunday 7 December 2025, the final day programme keeps the honey market running while also highlighting awards and closing activities that bring exhibitors together. Stands selling Sidr, Samar and multi floral honeys stay open through the day, and many producers offer tastings so you can compare flavours before buying. Informal talks and demonstrations explain how different flowers, seasons and regions affect colour and texture, giving visitors a deeper understanding of why prices differ between jars. Children can watch simple demonstrations about bees and pollination, and some stands may offer small activities or photo spots suited to families. If you want the widest choice of varieties, arrive earlier in the day, because the most sought after jars can sell out before closing time.
Honey varieties and local producers at Expo Al Dhaid
Exhibitors include Emirati beekeepers from Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and other regions, alongside selected producers from neighbouring Gulf countries. Visitors usually find classic Sidr honey, prized for its rich flavour and thicker texture, Samar honey with a darker tone, and lighter wildflower blends at a range of price points. Smaller jars can start from approximately 30 to 50 AED, while premium Sidr or rare single origin types in larger jars may range from around 150 to 250 AED or more, depending on harvest and quality. Many stands also sell honeycomb, bee pollen, propolis and skincare items that use honey or beeswax as key ingredients. Because you buy directly from producers, you can ask detailed questions about origin and production before you decide how much to spend.
Workshops tastings and family friendly activities
Beyond straightforward shopping, the festival offers workshops and awareness sessions that explain bee behaviour, hive management and the nutritional properties of different honeys. Some sessions focus on how to recognise genuine products versus blends or adulterated honey, which can be particularly useful for regular buyers. Others look at how honey fits into traditional Emirati household practices, from home remedies to classic desserts, giving the event a cultural angle as well as an economic one. Children can join basic educational activities about bees and flowers, turning a simple market visit into an informal science lesson. Because the programme mixes education with entertainment, families can easily spend several hours at Expo Al Dhaid without anyone feeling bored (children/family-friendly).
Entry fees timings and on site services
Current information for the 2025 edition indicates that entry to Al Dhaid Honey Festival itself is free, with visitors paying only for any honey and products they choose to buy. Schedules for similar Expo Al Dhaid events show daily opening hours typically running from morning into late evening, and this edition is expected to operate approximately between 10:00 and 22:00 on Sunday 7 December 2025. Expo Al Dhaid offers basic visitor services such as toilets, prayer rooms and food outlets, together with indoor exhibition halls that keep guests comfortable even when temperatures rise outside. As always, details can shift slightly as the date approaches, so it is wise to double check timing notes on any promotional materials you see locally. Treat opening hours, free entry details and any special offers as approximately confirmed until organisers publish the final schedule.
Driving to Expo Al Dhaid and parking
Expo Al Dhaid lies on the main road through Al Dhaid town in the Emirate of Sharjah, and the venue is clearly signposted from the surrounding highways. The official address is simply Expo Al Dhaid, Al Dhaid, Sharjah, and the venue’s listed phone number is +971 6 530 2222 if you need directions or accessibility information. Visitors coming from Sharjah city usually drive inland on the E88, which takes 45 to 60 minutes in normal weekend conditions, while those from Dubai often connect via the E611 or E102 before joining the same route. Around Expo Al Dhaid, surface parking is provided, but spaces directly beside the halls can fill quickly as evening approaches and more families arrive after work. Parking capacity near the main entrance is limited at peak hours, so allow extra time to park a little further away and walk in safely.
Travelling from other Emirates for the honey festival
From Abu Dhabi, drivers typically take the E11 north toward Dubai, then join routes heading through Sharjah city and onto the E88 toward Al Dhaid, with total travel times often between 2 and 2.5 hours depending on stops and traffic. From Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah, routes vary but usually converge on either the E88 or nearby highways, and journey times can range from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. Because the festival runs from mid morning until late evening, you can choose to arrive for a relaxed morning visit, or come later in the afternoon to enjoy the bustle before dinner. There is no direct metro access, and public bus links in central Sharjah’s interior are more limited than in coastal cities, so most visitors still rely on private cars or shared rides. Whichever emirate you start from, add at least 30 to 45 minutes of buffer time so that unplanned congestion or petrol stops do not cut into your actual time at the festival.
Weather traffic and practical packing tips
For Thursday 4 December 2025 through Sunday 7 December 2025 in the Al Dhaid area, forecasts point to mostly dry days with a mix of hazy sun and cloud, daytime highs around 28 to 30 degrees Celsius and overnight lows dropping to roughly 15 to 17 degrees, with no significant rain warnings indicated. That means you can dress in light, breathable clothing for daytime browsing, but it is still sensible to carry a thin layer for later evening, especially if you plan to stay outdoors around the venue. Comfortable walking shoes are important, because you may spend hours moving between stands, and a reusable water bottle helps you stay hydrated as you taste honey samples and explore. On the roads, traffic into Al Dhaid tends to build in the late afternoon and early evening, when families and groups arrive after work, while departures around 20:00 to 22:00 can also feel busy near the junctions back toward Sharjah city. Public transport options remain limited, so shared rides and careful carpool planning can reduce pressure on parking and make the trip more relaxed. Plan your visit before it is too late, because closing day crowds, approximate schedules and last minute changes to parking or opening hours can all affect how much of the festival you actually experience on Sunday 7 December 2025. According to the sort of practical weekend advice often shared by editors at platforms like www.few.ae, visitors who check the latest forecast, time their drive to avoid the heaviest peak, and bring simple essentials such as water, a shopping bag and a light extra layer usually get far more enjoyment out of Al Dhaid Honey Festival’s closing day than those who rush up and down the aisles with no plan.
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