Sharjah announces free entry to museums on National Day

Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) celebrates the UAE’s 54th Union Day with a rich programme of cultural and heritage events that aim to highlight UAE’s identity, unity, and heritage values, while strengthening community engagement and fostering a deeper appreciation of the nation’s cultural legacy.

Held under the theme “United,” the events that come as part of the national festivities marking this important occasion will take place from Nov.21 to Dec.3, 2025.

In honour of the Union Day spirit, SMA offers free entry to all of its museums across Sharjah, Kalba, and Khorfakkan on Dec.2 and 3, providing visitors with expanded access to cultural and educational experiences.

The celebrations unfold with a rich blend of authenticity and innovation, set against a distinctly national atmosphere that embraces all areas of the emirate.

Through a diverse programme of live heritage performances, educational workshops, and interactive experiences, visitors are offered the chance to connect with the nation’s history, heritage and explore the beauty of local Emirati culture.

SMA launched its celebrations on Nov.21 at Bait Sheikh Saeed Bin Hamad Al Qasimi in Kalba, parallel with the city’s official Union Day festivities.

The Kalba programme was dedicated to honouring this historic landmark, which hosted a wide spectrum of national and heritage-themed activities. These included a maritime heritage corner showcasing traditional diving and ship-building tools, a traditional doll-making station, and a photography corner inspired by the maritime heritage by Bait Al Naboodah.

The event also featured a series of performances, beginning with a military show, followed by the popular arts troupe presenting the traditional Emirati sea chants Nihamat.

Audiences enjoyed the operetta “From Wave to Glory,” which vividly portrayed the enduring bond between the Emirati people and the sea.

The programme continued with a marine parade organised in collaboration with the Kalba Fishermen’s Cooperative Society, alongside traditional Emirati games, the “Museums Express” initiative, educational workshops presented in partnership with Sharjah Museums, and a special culinary corner serving Emirati dishes that embodied the authentic spirit of the coastal environment.

On Nov.27, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 pm, Sharjah Fort was to host a national celebration that will include traditional performances of Al Ayala and Al Razfa, as well as interactive stations featuring traditional games, Emirati clothing, a heritage photo studio, various corners and a community mural titled “Your Message to the UAE.”

The programme also includes workshops and competitions such as pottery painting, doll-making, UAE flag challenges, Emirati dialect contests, and heritage riddles. The evening will conclude with the reading of selected national messages and a group photo.

Union Day celebrations continue at Hisn Khorfakkan on Nov.29, 2025, where visitors will be welcomed with a full program beginning with a military performance by Sharjah Police Sciences Academy, followed by a horse show by Al Rayan Stables, and a student dance reflecting intergenerational participation.

A sand-art performance presented by a specialized artist will also take place, along with a traditional Al Ayala performance. The programme will culminate in a national operetta presented in collaboration with senior citizens, offering tribute to the nation’s unity.

The celebrations coincide with extended opening hours at Hisn Khorfakkan from Nov.29 to Dec.2, 2025, with the site open until 10:00 pm. Visitors can enjoy guided tours, continuous workshops, and the participation of productive families throughout the extended hours, with specialty coffee operating on-site.

Interactive elements include educational workshops conducted with Sharjah Museums, traditional games delivered in partnership with the Sharjah Institute for Heritage – Dibba Al Hisn, as well as a community mural titled “Love for the UAE,” where visitors can express their patriotic sentiments.

From Dec.1 to 3 from 4:00 PM to 9:30 pm, the Sharjah Maritime Museum will host a programme celebrating the emirate’s strong maritime heritage through traditional performances such as Al Harbiya and Al Madeema, educational workshops for children and families, a heritage photo station, and a corner dedicated to Emirati cuisine.