Sharjah is gearing up for another round of eventful New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The northern emirate has plenty to offer in terms of family-friendly experiences, ranging from epic fireworks displays and gala events at lavish beachside resorts, to ringing in 2023 while camping under the stars.
Here are five events taking place to herald the new year in Sharjah.
Fireworks at Al Majaz Waterfront
The picturesque location will be the centre of the emirate's New Year's Eve celebrations.
Beginning at 9pm, the lagoon will light up with frequent fireworks displays until an extended showcase at midnight.
In addition to plenty of green space where families can picnic, the waterfront is home to plenty of dining options with prior booking recommended.
Hussain Al Jassmi and Aseel Hameem at Khorfakkan Amphitheatre
A popular New Year's Eve choice, Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassmi will end the year with a show in his home city of Sharjah.
Al Jassmi is one of the Middle East’s top-selling artists. He released his first single Bawada'ak in 2002, followed by Wallah Ma Yeswa and Bassbor Al Fourgakom. However, it is 2014’s Boshret Kheir that he is most known for.
Also performing earlier in the evening is Iraqi artist Aseel Hameem. With more than 255 million views, her song Ser Al Hayat was the most-streamed track by a female Arab artist on YouTube in 2020.
Tickets from Dh300; sharjah.platinumlist.net
New Year’s Eve celebrations at Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa
On its seventh anniversary, one of Sharjah’s biggest resorts will end the year in style.
In addition to an exclusive fireworks display on the beach, there will be a lavish Middle Eastern and international buffet around the outdoor pool, as well as a cover band playing classic and modern pop hits.
From 8pm; Dh669 for adults, Dh335 for children aged six to 12; restaurants.sharjah@sheraton.com
Stargazing at Mleiha Archaeological Centre
Mark the new year by camping under the stars at this stunning desert village.
For December 31, the site has organised stargazing, cultural and fire dances and an oud performance.
A buffet will also be available with Emirati and regional dishes.
For bookings and reservations email mleihamanagement@discovermleiha.ae or call 06 802 1111
Family-friendly fun at Al Noor Island
Home to popular spots such as The Sharjah House and The Literature Pavilion, the family hub Al Noor Island is set to be another major sport for New Year's Eve celebrations.
As well as exclusive cultural performances and dining spots, the site provides a great vantage point from which to see Al Majaz Waterfront's fireworks display.
Mleiha Archaeological Centre — in pictures
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Umm an-Nar tomb from the Bronze Age at the Mleiha Archaeological Centre, Sharjah. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The entrance to the Mleiha Archaeological Centre in Sharjah -
Follow the signs to the Mleiha Archaeological Centre in Sharjah -
A showcase of the baliya practice, in which people buried the dead along with a camel or a horse or both (mostly the animals they owned) in a senate grave -
The in-house cafe at Sharjah's Mleiha Archaeological Centre -
A tombstone featuring bi-lingual funerary inscription in Aramaic and ancient South Arabian script -
The palace site -
A fossil ammonite, 66 million years old -
The Faya cave site -
The Faya cave site at the Mleiha Archaeological Centre -
Learn more about the Faya cave site at the Mleiha Archaeological Centre -
Spot Arabian sand gazelle as you take a tour of the Mleiha Archaeological Centre site -
An active archaeological dig site -
A utahraptor claw, 70 million years old -
A tyrannosaurus tooth, 68 million years old -
A fossilised bird, 44 million years old -
A velociraptor skeleton, 90 million years old -
A close-up of the Umm an-Nar tomb -
Children can try making their own fossils with these moulds -
A gastropod found in UAE seas -
A fossil gastropod from Mleiha, 68 million years old -
A scenography of the Iron Age rock shelter grave BHS-30 at Jebal al-Buhais -
Stone tools, 10,000 years old on display -
The Mleiha Archaeological Centre is just another reason to visit Sharjah -
A Neolithic burial -
An amphora jar
