The Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival is an international art event devoted to Islamic arts: calligraphy, ornamentation and the contemporary work they inspire. The Cultural Affairs Directorate of the Sharjah Department of Culture organises it. Here is what the organisers have published about the festival and its most recent edition, the 26th, titled “Siraj” (“Lantern”), and how to find dates for the next, which we could not confirm as of 2 October 2026.
What is the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival?
The Sharjah Department of Culture describes the festival as an international artistic event specialised in Islamic arts, reflecting their expressive depth as a universal artistic language. Its event page states the festival was established in 1998 and presents a different range of artistic forms each year. The festival’s director, Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, has described it as continuing the vision of the Ruler of Sharjah of making art a civilisational message and a bridge for cultural dialogue.
The 26th edition: “Siraj” (2025–26)
- Dates: 19 November 2025 to 31 January 2026 (Sharjah Department of Culture event listing).
- Theme: “Siraj” (light, lantern). The festival’s supreme committee said the word refers to light and to the lamp as a symbol with spiritual, aesthetic and creative values.
- Scale announced at the launch: 114 events, 473 artworks and 170 artists from 24 countries, organised with 26 cultural entities in Sharjah.
- Types of work: installations, calligraphic compositions, murals, and classical calligraphy and ornamentation.
- Programme: art workshops and eight lectures on Arabic calligraphy were also announced.
- Participation: the UAE had the broadest participation, followed by Arab countries including Iraq, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Morocco, Jordan and Oman. Participants also came from countries including Spain, Poland, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Turkey, Canada, Hong Kong, Iran and Chile, with South Africa and Belize taking part for the first time.
Where the festival is held
Venues named by the organisers for the 26th edition included:
- the Sharjah Art Museum, where the festival opened,
- the Sharjah Calligraphy Museum in the Heart of Sharjah,
- the Khorfakkan Amphitheatre,
- the Emirates Society for Arabic Calligraphy and Islamic Ornamentation, and
- other venues across the emirate.
Before you rely on this list: the Sharjah Museums Authority pages for some of these venues carried “closed until further notice” or “temporarily closed” notices when we checked on 2 October 2026. We could not tell whether those notices are current or out of date. Confirm venue status before visiting. Our Sharjah museums guide explains how to check opening hours and tickets.
Why it matters for visitors
For a visitor, the festival is a rare chance to see calligraphy and Islamic ornament in a contemporary setting, to join hands-on workshops and to hear specialists speak. It also fits into Sharjah’s wider arts calendar, alongside the Sharjah Light Festival and the Sharjah International Book Fair, though those are run by different organisations.
How to find the next dates
At the time of writing, we did not find an official announcement of a 27th edition. In 2025 the dates were set months ahead: the theme was confirmed in March and the artworks were approved in early October for a November opening. That suggests the announcement may come in the same period, but that is an inference, not an official statement. Check:
- the Sharjah Department of Culture website (media centre, events and news),
- the Sharjah Museums Authority “What’s On” listings, and
- official Sharjah news channels.
Frequently asked questions
Who organises the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival?
The Cultural Affairs Directorate of the Sharjah Department of Culture.
When was the 26th edition?
19 November 2025 to 31 January 2026.
What does “Siraj” mean?
Light or lantern. The organisers chose it for the 26th edition’s theme.
Is there a 2026–27 edition?
We could not confirm one from official publications as of 2 October 2026.
General information only. Event details can change; confirm with the organisers. Information checked 2 October 2026.