All about the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival 2025
The Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) returns for its 16th edition, bigger and better than ever! This much-anticipated annual event will be welcoming many guests from all over the world. If you’ve got a budding book lover at home, here’s everything you need to know about this ever-popular festival.
ABOUT SHARJAH CHILDREN’S READING FESTIVAL
The SCRF is one of the most popular annual events in Sharjah. The festival was initially launched by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Supreme Council Member to celebrate excellence in young adult literature.
The festival aims to instil a love for reading in children by introducing them to renowned authors and writers. Sharjah Book Authority chairman Ahmed Al Ameri called the event a forerunner of ‘knowledge and creativity in young minds. There will also be an array of activities and workshops for young minds to try new hobbies and crafts.
SHARJAH CHILDREN’S READING FESTIVAL 2025 DATES
The Children’s Reading Festival 2025 will be held from 24 April to 4 May at the Sharjah Expo Centre. Over 400 guests from 66 countries are expected at the festival.
- Price of tickets: Free event
- Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival Timing: 09:00 am to 08:00 pm (Monday to Thursday) | 04:00 pm to 09:00 pm (Friday) | 09:00 am to 09:00 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
ACTIVITIES AT THE SHARJAH CHILDREN’S READING FESTIVAL 2025
The Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival brings various exciting activities for young readers. You can expect workshops, plays, shows and more.
WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES
The Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival workshops offer kids a unique opportunity to hone their developmental, social and creative skills. You can sign up your child for any of these popular sessions.
Children’s Programme
Kids can look forward to some of these activities at the festival:
- AirfootWorks: Until 25th April | Theatre ( Hall 5 – Ballroom)
- Festival’s characters (Wamda, Shua’a, Qalam, Nuqta): Until 3rd May| Halls and Lobbies
- A mysterious wonderland: Until 3rd May | Halls and Lobbies
- Junklandia: Until 27th April | Theatre ( Hall 5 – Ballroom)
- Marty Putz Show: Until 27th April| Theatre ( Hall 5 – Ballroom)
- Dancing With a Robot: Until 26th April | Halls and Lobbies
- Winged Wonders: Until 2nd May | Halls and Lobbies
- The Golden Generation ‘A Musical Evening Rouh Al Sharq choir’: 25th April | Theatre ( Hall 5 – Ballroom)
- Greatest science show: 26th April | Theatre ( Hall 5 – Ballroom)
- Magic in the Air: Until 29th April | Theatre ( Hall 5 – Ballroom)
- The Nutkins and the Puddle Ducks: 3rd May | Theatre ( Hall 5 – Ballroom)
Comics Exhibition/Workshops
The Comics Exhibition at the festival will take place in Hall 4, which is the Comics Corner.
- Comic string art: Until 26th April
- Manga drawing techniques: Until 30th April
- Comic character candle creations: Until 30th April
- Writing dialogue: Until 20th April
- Dora Wang: Until 25th April
- Misako Rocks: Until 25th April
- Comic flower: Until 28th April
- Wooden comic: Until 29th April
- Crafting muddy masterpieces: Until 29th May
- Mini masterpieces: Until 1st May
- Digital comic making: 28th to 30th April
- Create your graphic masterpiece: 28th and 29th April
- Sketch & Carry: 29th April to 1st May
- Threaded tales: 30th April to 2nd May
- How to start your business: 30th April to 3rd May
- Game development from scratch: 30th April to 3rd May
- Art in a can: 2nd and 3rd May
Cookery Corner
The Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival 2025 also features a Cookery Corner where attendees can watch delicious recipes prepared live. All of the events below will be taking place in Hall 3.
- Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag: Until May 3rd
- Fruit and Veggie Monsters: Until May 3rd
- Healthy Popcorn Mixes: Until May 6th
- Boba Tea Creations: Until May 5th
- Kids Can Cook: Chef D’s recipes from around the world: Until 25th April
- Wholesome recipes and expert tips with Liliane Zaher: Until 26th April
- Frozen Yogurt Bark: Until 3rd May
- DIY Bread Animals: Until 1st May
- Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Wands: 24th April
- Marshmallow Pops: Until 2nd May
- Colourful Pasta Making: Until 3rd May
- Edible Slime Creations: Until 1st May
- DIY Mochi Ice Cream: Until 2nd May
- Bubble Waffle Cones: Until 2nd May
- Special recipes with Chef Heifa Odeh: 29th April
- An electrifying demo blending creativity and flavor with social media celebrity chefs Albert Niazhvinski and Patrick Zeinali: 2nd May
- Spice and Soul: Mexican Cooking with Chef Karla Zuzueta: 29th April
Cultural Programmes
- Graphic Novels for Reading Fluency: Using Visual Storytelling to Build Stronger Readers: 26th April 11:00 AM | Janna Morishima
- Unlocking the Teenage Mind: 27th April 11:00 am | Nicola Morgan
- Creative Writing Workshop – How to write a bestseller: 29th April 11:00 | Rukhsana Khan
Guests 2025
The list of honoured guests expected to make an appearance at the festival is extensive. They include:
- Aarti Khatwani Bhatia
- Brendan Wenzel
- Chloe Savage
- Dario Stephen
- Luis Miguel San Vicente Oliveros
- Nicola Morgan
- Rukhsana Khan
- Sarah Taleb Al-Suhail
- Stephan Pastis
- Xin Li
FAQs
IS THERE AN ENTRY FEE TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL CHILDREN’S READING FESTIVAL SHARJAH?
No, you can attend the event for free.
WHAT IS SHARJAH CHILDREN’S READING FESTIVAL LOCATION?
The annual Children’s Reading Festival will take place at Expo Centre Sharjah.
HOW TO CONTACT SCRF?
You can call them at +971-800-BOOKS (26657) or email them at info@scrf.ae.
That brings us to the end of our guide on the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival. The festival offers an excellent opportunity for kids to broaden their knowledge pool through discussions, workshops, seminars and art performances.
WHERE TO BUY BOOKS IN SHARJAH?
Want to catch up on your reading? Visit any bookshops in Sharjah, such as Deep Shelves and Goyal. For culture enthusiasts, the Sharjah House of Wisdom would be up your alley.
If you’re a reader in Sharjah, the Sharjah Public Library has various books, novels, scientific journals, audio-visual aids and more for everyone.
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