Xposure runs in Sharjah from Thursday, 29 January 2026 to Wednesday, 4 February 2026 at East Boulevard, Aljada, Muwaileh Commercial, Sharjah. For festival enquiries, call +971 6 512 3557, and for media or partnerships you can reach +971 52 994 2228. For broader city event support, Sharjah’s event hotline 800 80000 also routes enquiries. Most on-site activity typically runs around 10:00am to around 10:00pm, while talks, screenings, and workshops follow their own published slots. Entry to the main festival exhibitions is generally free, while workshops and portfolio sessions can require paid booking and limited-seat registration.
Where the festival sits in 2026
Aljada gives Xposure a campus-like layout, so you can move between exhibitions, stages, and the cinema without the “conference hallway” feeling. Meanwhile, the site suits casual drop-ins, because you can arrive for one screening and still wander into a gallery afterwards. However, the footprint stays large, so you will enjoy it more when you pick one zone as your anchor, then branch out. If you want the smoothest experience, start your visit with an exhibition lap, then schedule your sessions second. (Suitable for solo, suitable for couples, family-friendly in daytime with supervision.)
A decade marker with a strong storytelling focus
This edition carries extra weight because the festival celebrates its 10th run, and it leans into visual storytelling across stills and film. Therefore, you can expect big-name talks alongside practical craft conversations, and you can shift from inspiration to technique in the same afternoon. Additionally, the festival format encourages collaboration, so you will see photographers, filmmakers, editors, and creative producers sharing one platform rather than staying in separate silos. Come with one creative question you want answered, and the programme will start to feel surprisingly personal.
How to plan your time across seven days
If you visit on Thursday, 29 January 2026, arrive earlier in the day, because opening-day curiosity can build crowds later. Then, on Friday, 30 January 2026, plan for longer stays, because many visitors treat it as the most complete “full day” option. On Saturday, 31 January 2026, expect the busiest footfall, so arrive before mid-day if you want easier parking and calmer galleries. On Sunday, 1 February 2026, you often get a more relaxed pace, so it works well for deeper exhibition reading and slower cinema choices. On Monday, 2 February 2026, you can focus on learning, because weekday sessions usually give you more breathing room. On Tuesday, 3 February 2026, you can treat it as a strong networking day, because people start locking in final meetings. Finally, on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, arrive earlier again, because closing-day programming can compress into shorter windows. When you split one day for viewing and one day for learning, you avoid burnout and remember more.
Workshops, portfolio reviews, and realistic costs
Workshops run in dedicated zones, and they often cap tickets tightly, so you should book early once you see a session that fits your level. Meanwhile, many paid workshops list prices around $75, which is approximately AED 275, although longer courses and specialist sessions can cost more. Therefore, it helps to pick one paid workshop you truly want, then keep the rest of your schedule flexible with free talks and exhibitions. Also, portfolio reviews can feel intense, yet they often give the most direct career value, because you leave with clear next steps. If you only invest in one paid activity, choose the workshop that fixes your biggest skill gap. (Suitable for solo, suitable for couples who learn together, not ideal for very young children.)
Getting there from Dubai and the Northern Emirates
From Dubai, Aljada sits in a straightforward Sharjah corridor, so many visitors drive and aim to arrive before late afternoon traffic builds. Meanwhile, if you come from Ajman or Umm Al Quwain, you can often reach earlier and park more easily, so a daytime visit can feel smoother. However, Abu Dhabi visitors should treat it like a full-day trip, so leaving early helps you avoid a stressed arrival. Taxis and ride-hailing also work well for evening sessions, because they reduce parking loops when crowds peak. If you plan to stay for cinema slots, decide your return time in advance, because exits can slow down late evening.
February weather and practical arrival tips
Sharjah’s outlook stays comfortable through the festival run, so you can plan confidently across all dates. On Thursday, 29 January 2026, expect hazy sun around 26°C in the day and 15°C at night. On Friday, 30 January 2026, you should see hazy sun near 25°C with a 14°C evening. On Saturday, 31 January 2026, conditions stay mild at about 24°C and drop to 13°C after dark. On Sunday, 1 February 2026, sunshine returns strongly around 26°C with a 17°C night. On Monday, 2 February 2026, partial sun sits near 25°C, then the night cools to 13°C. On Tuesday, 3 February 2026, it stays sunny around 25°C with a 14°C low. On Wednesday, 4 February 2026, expect mostly sunny skies near 25°C and about 14°C at night. Therefore, wear light daytime clothes, yet bring a thin layer for evenings and strong indoor air-conditioning. Also, aim for earlier arrivals on Friday and Saturday, because traffic and parking pressure typically rise from mid-afternoon onward. Ticket and workshop prices can change, so treat any cost as approximately, and use XPOSURE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION plus XPOSURE WORKSHOPS REGISTRATION for the most reliable bookings. Arrive early, because the best galleries feel calmer before the evening rush. According to the kind of practical event framing the editor at www.few.ae usually values, Xposure works best when you plan one “must-see” session, then let the exhibitions guide the rest.
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