Crowds, children’s laughter bring Sharjah Heritage Days to life on Day Four
Sharjah, 7 February 2026
A lively atmosphere filled the venue on the fourth day of the 23rd edition of Sharjah Heritage Days, as large crowds turned out to enjoy a programme rich in culture, performance and hands-on heritage experiences — with children taking centre stage.
The Our Children and Heritage Pavilion was among the most popular attractions, drawing families eager to introduce younger generations to traditional values in engaging ways. Children enthusiastically interacted with live performances and storytelling sessions, while many took part in drawing and colouring workshops aimed at nurturing creativity and deepening their connection to heritage through play and imagination.
Elsewhere, the Sharjah Government Pavilion recorded a steady flow of visitors, who explored a variety of retail outlets and sampled traditional foods representing participating countries. The pavilion reflected the cultural diversity that defines the festival, offering visitors a taste of heritage through cuisine, crafts and traditional products.
Open squares across the venue came alive with performances by Arab and Western folk dance troupes, whose energetic shows drew wide public interaction. Applause and spontaneous audience participation underscored the festival’s role as a shared cultural space where traditions from different parts of the world meet.
The Maritime Heritage Pavilion also attracted strong interest, particularly from visitors keen to learn about fishing traditions and sea-related crafts. Displays highlighted traditional tools and practices linked to fishing — a profession deeply rooted in Emirati history and an essential part of the nation’s coastal heritage.
On the cultural front, scientific seminars held alongside the public activities saw notable attendance. The programme included the signing of several new publications by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, as part of the “Dallooni Ala Al-Aswaq forum, which explores the heritage of cities and traditional markets and documents their social and economic significance.
Visitors also engaged closely with demonstrations of traditional crafts, including old farming methods, the preparation of Arabic coffee using ancestral techniques, and displays of historic wedding tools that offered a glimpse into customs surrounding marriage in earlier generations.
This year’s edition has been marked by strong participation across all age groups, highlighting the festival’s success in preserving cultural identity, passing heritage on to younger generations, and strengthening awareness of the importance of both local and global heritage in shaping community culture.
The festival continues at the Heart of Sharjah ,with events spread across heritage houses, pavilions and open courtyards. Organisers said Sharjah Heritage Days will conclude with a closing ceremony at the Heart of Sharjah, bringing together performers, participants and visitors in a final celebration that reflects the spirit of cultural exchange and community engagement.