The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority announced a seven-week community summer programme that will deliver more than 50 activities across the emirate through the end of September. Shurooq highlighted beach fitness and wellness offerings at Al Heera Beach and Khorfakkan Beach as central elements, scheduling 28 professionally led sessions every Friday and Saturday from 6 pm to 7 pm between Aug. 7 and Sept. 19. These sessions target adults, teenagers, women, children and families at varying fitness levels and feature sunset yoga, beach running, functional fitness, cycling, family challenges and parent-and-child activities in distinctive coastal settings. The authority noted that the programme spans Sharjah’s western and eastern coastlines to expand access to outdoor recreation.
Shurooq is introducing the Sharjah Saturday Run as a series of four free evening community events at Al Qasba and Al Majaz Waterfront. The runs will start at Al Qasba on Aug. 15 before shifting to Al Majaz Waterfront on Aug. 22, returning to Al Qasba on Aug. 29 and concluding at Al Majaz on Sept. 5, with each event beginning at 6 pm. Participants of all ages and abilities must register in advance via the Discover Shurooq website and arrive by 5:45 pm at meeting points outside Starbucks at Al Qasba or Tim Hortons at Al Majaz Waterfront. The authority stated that the series integrates physical activity with exploration of the emirate’s waterfront and urban spaces.
Children aged seven to 15 can join the Summer Explorer Camp at Al Qasba from Aug. 10 to 27, operating daily from 10 am to 1 pm at Al Multaqa. The camp progresses through themes of discovery and adventure, science technology and innovation, and leadership media skills and entrepreneurship with hands-on activities including robotics, coding, engineering challenges, public speaking, photography and storytelling. Al Majaz Waterfront will host 14 themed evenings of family entertainment every Friday and Saturday from Aug. 7 to Sept. 19 between 6 pm and 8 pm, activating the Splash Park and Kids Fun House with live performances, roaming entertainment and interactive activities that culminate in a two-day closing celebration on Sept. 18 and 19.
Shurooq will extend the summer programme into natural landscapes at Al Noor Island and Mleiha National Park, where families can participate in nature discovery workshops, creative activities, planting sessions, fossil discovery, museum visits, sunset desert tours and stargazing with special packages. The authority also promoted its Sharjah Collection of eco-retreats and heritage hospitality properties, including Kingfisher Retreat, Al Badayer Retreat, Al Rayaheen Retreat, Najd Al Meqsar, The Chedi Al Bait and Serai Wing Bait Khalid ben Ibrahim, as venues for restorative stays amid mangroves, dunes, mountains and restored Emirati homes. These offerings provide immersive experiences that complement the scheduled activities and remain available to residents and visitors throughout the period.
The initiatives align with the objectives of the UAE’s Year of the Family 2026 by creating opportunities for families and communities to be active, learn and spend meaningful time together while drawing on Sharjah’s coastal, natural, cultural and urban assets, according to Shurooq. The authority manages an extensive portfolio of year-round destinations that includes Al Montazah Parks, Heart of Sharjah, House of Wisdom, Kalba Waterfront, Al Rahmaniya Park and The Flag Island, all of which continue to welcome visitors during the summer months. A Gulf Business assessment of Shurooq’s projects noted the organisation’s focus on balanced development that integrates community well-being with sustainable growth across the emirate.
