Best things to do in Sharjah this weekend (15-16 November, 2025)

A weekend in mid-November means long sunny days and balmy nights in Sharjah. Temperatures hover around 29 °C during the day and drop to the low twenties by evening, with almost no chance of rain. The humidity is moderate and the prevailing winds are gentle, so outdoor events feel comfortable. This weekend brings the finale of the Sharjah International Book Fair, outdoor concerts in Khorfakkan and workshops in the arts district, plus new films at the cinema and family festivals in malls. Whether you’re exploring exhibitions, cheering at a concert or spending a lazy afternoon at a park, it’s worth bringing a hat and light layers for the midday sun. Traffic tends to increase near large events such as the book fair and concerts, so plan for extra travel time or use public transport when possible.

• Things to do in Dubai this weekend
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Saturday morning — Surfaces & stories

Surfaces of the City workshop

The Surfaces of the City: Collaging Urban Textures workshop at the Sharjah Art Institute invites participants aged 15 and above to create collages from textures collected around the city. The session runs from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday and materials are provided, making it a great creative start to the weekend. The workshop is free, but you should arrive by 10:45 am to register your place and bring a water bottle for the five-hour session. Places fill quickly, so arrive early to secure a seat. The institute is on Arts Square; limited street parking is available. For those coming by bus, the stop at Rolla Square is a short walk away. Contact: +971 6 568 5050.

Sharjah International Book Fair

The 44th Sharjah International Book Fair continues at Expo Centre Sharjah, offering a vast marketplace of books, workshops and discussions. More than 2,350 publishers from 118 countries and over 1,200 events are part of this year’s fair, so there’s plenty to explore. The fair opens at 10:00 am and entrance is free; parking around the expo fills up by mid-morning, so consider using a taxi or bus. Families can enjoy storytelling sessions and cooking demonstrations, while collectors can browse first-edition titles. Bring a reusable bag and budget for books – many publishers offer fair-only discounts.

Image Keepers photography exhibition

The Sharjah Art Foundation’s new Photography Gallery in Al Manakh hosts “Image Keepers,” an exhibition presenting more than fifty works by seventeen artists and collectives from the foundation’s collection. The show explores photography as a tool of memory and resistance and runs daily from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm until April 2026. Admission is free. Spend about an hour here before heading to the nearby cafes at Corniche Street. Photography is allowed, but flash is not. Parking is available on surrounding streets.

Prehistoric Qatar exhibition at Sharjah Archaeology Museum

For a quiet cultural morning, visit the Shaped by Stones: The tools that made prehistoric Qatar exhibition at the Sharjah Archaeology Museum. Open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, this show features over 110 artefacts that shed light on early life in Qatar. Entry is around AED 5 for adults and free for children. A special flint tool-making workshop runs on Sunday, but you can still handle replica tools and watch short films explaining how they were used. Allocate roughly two hours for the galleries. Museum galleries can be chilly—bring a light sweater.

Saturday midday — Family fun & festivals

Shukran Festival 2025 at Sahara Centre

The weekend-long Shukran Festival begins at 3:00 pm in the atrium of Sahara Centre. It celebrates the Filipino community with a youth pageant called the Search for the Prince and Princess of Shukran, a Band Jamboree, and cultural performances. Admission is free, though you may want to arrive early to secure seating near the stage. The festival continues every weekend through mid-December. Crowds build after 5:00 pm; plan to park in the multi-storey car park or take the bus to avoid congestion.

Island of Legends at Al Montazah Park

Spend an afternoon at the Island of Legends section of Al Montazah Park. This time-travel-themed amusement park offers rides ranging from gentle Dancing Flowers to the high-speed Baz Coaster, making it suitable for toddlers through teens. The park opens at 10:00 am and closes at 10:00 pm; tickets cost AED 30 for entrance and AED 120 for unlimited rides. Children under 80 cm enter free. Bring sunscreen and plenty of water—most rides are outdoors and afternoon sun can be intense. There is free parking on Flag Island and ample food stalls inside the park. Expect to spend three to four hours here.

Sharjah International Book Fair (continued)

After lunch, head back to the Book Fair for author talks and live cooking sessions. Panels featuring guest writers and illustrators begin around 2:00 pm. Families can sign up for children’s workshops in the Kids’ Hall. Queues form quickly for popular signings; check the daily schedule at the information desk and arrive 15 minutes early.

Saturday evening — Concerts & night experiences

Angham live at Khorfakkan Amphitheatre

Egyptian star Angham performs at Khorfakkan Amphitheatre on Saturday evening as part of the Let’s Khorfakkan concert series. Doors open at 7:30 pm and the show starts at 9:00 pm. Tickets start around AED 120 and are available through ticketing platforms. Expect a blend of her classic hits and new songs under the open sky. Bring a light jacket—the amphitheatre is open-air and sea breezes can be cool after sunset. Parking is limited in Khorfakkan; consider carpooling or booking a driver.

Book fair night sessions

The Book Fair remains open until 10:00 pm. Evening highlights include poetry performances and cultural dance shows at the main stage. There are also late-night food trucks outside the halls. Weekends draw large crowds; allow extra time to exit the car parks.

Cinemas at City Centre Sharjah

VOX Cinemas inside City Centre Sharjah screens several new releases. On Saturday Predator: Badlands has showings at 1:00 pm, 2:50 pm, 6:15 pm, 8:05 pm and 11:30 pm. Dies Irae (drama/horror) shows from 10:00 am with evening sessions around 9:00 pm and 11:20 pm. The Running Man (action) has a mid-afternoon 12:00 pm screening and another around 5:15 pm, while family-friendly Athibeekara Kaamukan (Malayalam comedy) screens at 11:15 am, 2:15 pm, 8:15 pm and 11:15 pm. Tickets range from AED 36 to AED 55 depending on seat type. Weekend evenings sell out quickly—book online in advance.

Sunday morning — Workshops & museum visits

Flint tool-making workshop

On Sunday, the Sharjah Archaeology Museum hosts a hands-on flint tool-making workshop at 10:00 am. Visitors can learn how prehistoric tools were crafted and used. The workshop is free with museum admission but space is limited; arrive early to register. Wear comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dusty. Allocate 90 minutes.

Book fair family day

The final day of the Book Fair features a “Family Day” programme from 10:00 am with puppet shows, magic acts and children’s storytelling corners. It’s an ideal way to encourage young readers before the fair closes. Remember to pick up any pre-ordered books—Sunday afternoon collections can be crowded.

Sunday afternoon — Shows & sightseeing

Science 360° show at Expo Centre

At 4:40 pm on Sunday, the Science 360° show takes over a hall at Expo Centre Sharjah. Designed for families, this interactive show features experiments, 3D projections and hands-on demonstrations. Tickets range from AED 30 to AED 300 depending on seating. Arrive at least 30 minutes early to find parking and settle children. Earplugs are handy—the show’s audio effects can be loud for younger ears.

Sahara Centre and Shukran Festival (continued)

The Shukran Festival resumes at 3:00 pm with modern dance performances and a finale awarding the Prince and Princess of Shukran. Mall restaurants offer set menus for visitors. Parking is busy; consider using ride-hailing apps.

Island of Legends & Pearls Kingdom

If you didn’t get to the water park on Saturday, spend Sunday afternoon at Pearls Kingdom, the water-park section of Al Montazah Park, which remains open until 9:00 pm. Tuesday is a ladies-only day, so Sunday offers mixed access. Wear water shoes—the ground can be hot between rides.

Sunday evening — Performance & film

Searching for Love at Al Dana Grand Ballroom, Khorfakkan

As part of the Perform Sharjah series, Searching for Love is a lyrical performance by musicians Ahmad Higazy and Sawsan Salah that blends poetry and music to explore themes of longing. The show takes place on Sunday evening from 8:30 pm to 9:20 pm at Al Dana Grand Ballroom in Khorfakkan. Admission is free, but seating is limited. Dress smart casual—this is a seated theatre performance. Khorfakkan is about a 90-minute drive from Sharjah; allow extra time for mountain road traffic.

Cinema night at VOX

Sunday night is quieter at the cinema. Films like Predator: Badlands and Dies Irae continue with evening showings around 8:05 pm and 10:00 pm. Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution and the Indian thriller Thamma also have early evening screenings around 5:15 pm and 10:30 pm. Grab popcorn before you enter—concessions close by 10:30 pm.

Alternative ideas

Breakfast at Paper Fig

Start your day at Paper Fig Restaurant & Dessert Shop in Muwaileh. Known for its eggs Benedict and homemade sourdough, this family-friendly café serves breakfast from 8:00 am to noon. Expect to spend around AED 45 per person for a savoury dish and coffee. The cosy interior gets busy by 9:30 am; arrive early or call +971 6 544 0344 to reserve.

Coffee at Ratios Coffee

For a mid-morning caffeine fix, head to Ratios Coffee at Al Majaz Waterfront. Order the V60 pour-over or a flat white and pair it with their signature cheesecake. The café is busiest around 5:00 pm, so a late-morning visit offers a quieter experience. A drink and dessert will cost about AED 35.

Lunch at Arabian Tea House

Enjoy a leisurely lunch at the Arabian Tea House in the Heart of Sharjah, known for Emirati dishes like machboos and luqaimat. A main course with mezze costs around AED 60 per person. The restaurant offers indoor and garden seating and provides high chairs for children. It gets crowded at weekends, so booking is recommended (+971 6 556 0022).

Family water activity: Kayaking at Al Qasba

Rent a kayak or pedal boat on the Al Qasba Canal for a relaxing family outing. Rentals start at AED 45 for a half-hour two-person kayak. Life jackets are provided, and the calm canal makes it suitable for children aged five and above. Stay close to the dock during windy weather.

Nature/sport: Hiking at Al Rabi Trail (Khorfakkan)

For an active option, drive to Al Rabi Trail overlooking Khorfakkan. The moderate 5.3-kilometre path offers panoramic views of the coast and takes around two hours round-trip. There is no entry fee. Begin early (around 7:00 am) to avoid midday heat and wear sturdy shoes. Carry at least one litre of water per person.

Culture/art: Sharjah Art Museum

Spend a quiet afternoon at the Sharjah Art Museum, home to galleries of Middle Eastern art. Entry is free, and the museum is open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Expect to spend one to two hours wandering through its permanent collection and rotating exhibitions. Photography is permitted in most galleries but check signage.

Cinema: Novo Cinemas at Mega Mall

If you prefer a different cinema, Novo Cinemas in Mega Mall screens Arabic, Indian and Hollywood films. Shows typically start from 11:00 am with the last screening around 11:45 pm. Ticket prices are similar to VOX. Arrive early to find parking—Mega Mall’s car park is busy on weekends.

Upcoming event: Tanweer Festival (next weekend)

Plan ahead for the Tanweer Festival taking place 21–23 November in the Mleiha desert. This three-day festival features artists such as A.R. Rahman, Anoushka Shankar and Emel Mathlouthi, along with workshops on pottery, drumming, yoga and calligraphy. Tickets start at AED 400, with group packages available. Camping on site is popular; book early if you want to stay overnight.

Weather, traffic & tips

Expect warm sunshine with daytime highs near 29 °C and nighttime lows around 23 °C. November rainfall is minimal, so most events proceed outdoors. Dress in light, breathable clothing; bring sunscreen, hats and reusable water bottles. Evenings by the coast or in the mountains can be breezy—carry a light jacket. Large events like the book fair and concerts cause traffic on Al Wahda Street and the E611, so allow extra travel time or use taxis and buses. Parking fills up quickly at Expo Centre Sharjah and Sahara Centre; multi-storey car parks are available but may have queues. Always confirm event timings and ticket prices before you go, as schedules and rates can change. Book tickets and make restaurant reservations early to avoid disappointment.