Sharjah’s SLF Light Village 2026 continues as a ticketed winter evening destination at Sharjah Light Village, University City, Sharjah, UAE. You enter from 17:00, and you should plan your visit around the door schedule and strict no re-entry rule. For location assistance around University City, call +971 6 511 4111, and for wider festival information you can also use +971 6 556 6777. For ticketing support, PLATINUMLIST customer service commonly answers on +971 4 457 3212 or WhatsApp +971 501 408 768. The venue address used for navigation is Maliha Road, Sharjah Institute of Technology Opposite Stop, University City, Sharjah, UAE.
How the Light Village fits the bigger festival
The Light Village sits under the wider Sharjah Light Festival umbrella, and it works as the “social hub” rather than a single projection site. Organisers position the festival as a major seasonal draw, and they often cite very high attendance from previous editions. Because of that, you should expect a lively crowd, especially on weekend nights, yet the space still feels walkable if you arrive early (family-friendly). This is a timed, ticketed entry experience that rewards good planning. Meanwhile, you can treat the Village as your base before you explore other illuminated landmarks later in the same evening (couples, friends).
Dates and daily opening hours to plan around
SLF Light Village 2026 runs from Thursday, 29 January 2026 to Sunday, 22 February 2026, and you choose a dated entry for the day you want. It opens Sunday to Wednesday from 17:00 to 00:00, and it stays open longer Thursday to Saturday from 17:00 to 01:00. Because families often arrive right after sunset, the busiest window usually starts from early evening and builds toward late night. If you prefer calmer walkways and shorter queues, arrive close to 17:00 and eat later. Also, late entry still works, yet you should remember the venue can feel more crowded after 19:30 on weekends.
Ticket prices and who enters for free
Adults and children aged 12 years and above pay AED 20, while children aged 3 to 11 pay AED 10. A full season pass covering 29 January to 22 February costs AED 180, so it suits anyone who wants multiple visits without rethinking tickets each time (solo, couples, repeat visitors). Children below 3 enter for free, and senior citizens aged 60+ also enter for free. People of Determination enter for free as well, and that policy helps families plan more flexibly when they visit together. Prices can shift by availability, so treat any checkout total as approximately.
Dated ticket rules and the strict entry policy
This ticket grants one-time entry only, and it stays valid only for the selected date on your booking. Entry starts from the moment doors open at 17:00, so arriving earlier than your group helps everyone enter together. Strictly no re-entry applies, so you should plan bathrooms, snacks, and meeting points before you scan in. Also, if you leave the venue, you cannot return on the same ticket, so keep your essentials with you. Because of this policy, groups often pick a clear arrival time and stick to it (friends, family-friendly).
What you can do inside the Village
The Light Village blends food and beverage concepts, retail pop-ups, light installations, entertainment corners, and a games-style zone feel. You can wander between interactive experiences, then slow down near vendor areas when you want a break. Because new vendors and concepts rotate by season, repeat visits often feel slightly different from week to week. This is more than a quick photo stop, so plan at least 90 minutes if you want it to feel complete. Meanwhile, couples often treat it as a relaxed date walk, while families usually build it around early entry and a shorter loop (couples, family-friendly).
Add-on experiences and the immersive gallery option
Beyond standard entry, the wider Light Village program can include special immersive light experiences on selected dates. Some visitors choose a bundle-style approach, so they do entry first and then add a separate immersive gallery ticket when available. If you want the immersive experience, lock it before you arrive, because time slots can tighten on weekends. On quieter nights, you can also do standard entry only, and it still feels full thanks to the outdoor installations and vendor mix. Either way, you should keep expectations realistic because offerings can vary by day and season.
Rules that catch visitors off guard
Drone use is strictly prohibited unless authorised, so leave drones at home even if you plan casual filming. Lighting fires or using fire-lighting equipment is not allowed, and the venue expects you to dispose of lighters before you enter. No laser equipment is allowed, and security can stop entry if they find prohibited items. Professional cameras and tripods are not allowed unless authorised, so a phone or simple compact camera keeps things smooth. These rules help the Village manage crowd safety and the viewing atmosphere for everyone.
Food, smoking, and general conduct inside
No outside food is allowed, so you should plan to eat inside if you expect a longer stay. Smoking is strictly prohibited within the area, and that includes electronic smoking as well. Pets are not allowed, so families should plan pet care before they drive in. Guests should dispose of trash in the bins provided, and the venue expects respectful behaviour around installations and queues. Because the space hosts many families, staff can intervene quickly if behaviour disrupts others.
Mobility restrictions and what to leave in the car
Bikes, scooters, rollerblades, and hoverboards are prohibited, so do not bring them even for children. Picnic rugs, chairs, and tables are not allowed, so a “sit anywhere” plan will not work here. Instead, plan short rests near vendor seating areas and keep your group moving between zones. Closed, comfortable walking shoes help, because you will spend most of your visit on foot. Also, keep bags light, since security checks move faster when you carry less.
Family entry rules and the dress code at the gate
Children under 12 can enter, but they must come with an adult, so teens cannot typically roam as a stand-alone group. The dress code focuses on respectful clothing, and the venue states no shorts allowed and above-knee outfits are not permitted for entry. If you are unsure, choose longer, modest casualwear and avoid sporty short outfits. This rule often surprises visitors who arrive straight from other plans, so it helps to change before you drive in. Families usually find the experience easiest when they arrive early and keep the loop shorter (family-friendly).
Getting there from Dubai and nearby Emirates
From Dubai, most people reach University City in about 35 to 60 minutes approximately, depending on where they start and traffic levels. From Abu Dhabi, the drive usually takes about 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes approximately, so many visitors combine it with an afternoon Sharjah plan before doors open (couples, groups). Meanwhile, from Ajman, you can often arrive quickly, yet peak-hour congestion can still slow Maliha Road approaches. If you prefer convenience, ride-hailing can reduce parking stress on busy nights. Also, if you plan a late return, decide your pickup point before you enter, because crowds can make it harder to coordinate after 22:00.
Parking and traffic rhythm near University City
University City roads can tighten quickly after 18:30, especially on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. Parking availability depends on capacity, so you should arrive early if you want a closer walk to the entrance. Follow marshals and temporary signage, because event nights can change usual parking flows. If you arrive later, you may park farther and walk longer, so comfortable shoes become more important. Meanwhile, families with small children often prefer early entry, since it keeps walking distances and queue time lower.
Evening weather outlook and practical planning notes
This week in Sharjah stays mostly dry and clear, so you can plan confident outdoor walking without mud concerns. On Monday, 2 February 2026, expect about 28°C in the day and 13°C at night, while Tuesday, 3 February stays near 28°C and 16°C, and Wednesday, 4 February rises to about 31°C and 17°C. Thursday, 5 February cools to about 27°C and 14°C, and Friday, 6 February sits around 27°C and 16°C, while Saturday, 7 February returns near 28°C and 16°C. Therefore, light clothing works, yet a thin layer helps if breezes pick up after 21:00, and you should also bring water because the walk-and-browse format adds up. Buy tickets in advance and arrive close to 17:00, because strict no re-entry makes timing matter. Ticket prices remain approximately and can change, so the most reliable place to purchase is PLATINUMLIST, and many visitors also keep Sharjah Tourism’s +971 6 556 6777 handy for general guidance; in the same practical tone often shared by the editors at www.few.ae, your best night here starts with early arrival and the right outfit.