One of the most anticipated events in Sharjah is back, the 16th Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival 2025. Starting from 23 April 2025, SCRF is a 12-day event taking place at the Expo Centre Sharjah, which will run until 04 May 2025.
With more than 600 interactive workshops and activities, this annual reading festival, themed ‘Dive Into Books’, promises a compelling and informative experience. Let’s explore all the exciting details and events planned for this inspiring celebration.
Overview of SCRF 2025
Organised annually by the Sharjah Book Authority, the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) is one of the region’s most anticipated educational and cultural events. This annual event in Sharjah is held under the generous patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs. It serves as a dynamic platform to cultivate a love for reading among children and young adults.
Each year, SCRF brings together leading publishers, authors, illustrators and storytellers from around the world. The event features a lively mix of book exhibitions, cultural showcases, interactive workshops, discussion panels and artistic performances, creating a space where learning meets fun.
More than just a book festival, SCRF plays a key role in shaping young minds, boosting creativity and promoting character development. With celebrities and special guests in attendance to encourage reading, it’s the perfect destination for families seeking to inspire curiosity and instil lifelong learning in their children.
Date and Location
The 12-day Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival 2025 will happen on the following dates and venue:
Dates
23 April 2025 to 04 May 2025
Venue
Expo Centre Sharjah, Al Taawun Street, Al Khan, Sharjah, UAE
Activities in SCRF 2025
After the success of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival 2024, SCRF is back with over 600 fun activities for children. Here, you can enjoy some of the fun things to do in Sharjah, such as:
- Attend Theatre Performances
- Participate in Workshops for Children and Adults
- Visit Comic Exhibitions
- Take Part in Cookery Corner Programme
- Enjoy Live Cooking Shows
- Attend Cultural Programmes
- Listen to Poetry Sessions
- Attend Seminars
- Relish Musicals
- Participate in Illustration Survival Cafe / Illustrations Workshop
- Educate Yourself at Social Media Station
- Explore Science Exhibition
- Enjoy Roaming Performances
Reasons to Attend SCRF 2025
The 16th Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival offers numerous activities for children, parents and those interested in creativity.
Meanwhile, participants will interact with authors, learn to write books, participate in immersive workshops and enjoy various amusing contests. Sharjah Children Reading Festival 2025 opens doors to creativity and imagination by arranging:
1. Theatre Performances and Roaming Shows
The Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival is not a typical book-reading event. The festival organises multiple fun activities and workshops to entertain kids, young adults and their parents. This year, you can enjoy the following theatre performances at SCRF 2025
- Magic in the Air
- Marty in the Putz
- Unklandia
- Air Foot Works
Meanwhile, the roaming shows that will be performed here include:
- Masked Wonderland
- Winged Wonders
- Dancing with a Robot
- Magic in the Air
- The Nutkins and the Ducks
- Festival’s Mascots
2. Interactive Sessions for Parents
SCRF also offers sessions for parents to navigate the digital era and improve their parenting skills accordingly. At the SCRF, literary agent Janna Morishima, public speaker Nicola Morgan and other experts will share insights into the world of literature and parenting styles.
Some of the key sessions that parents can attend at SCRF 2025 are:
| Date | Expert | Session |
| 26th April | Janna Morishima | Graphic Novels for Fluent Reading |
| 26th April | Sara Younus | Digital Safety for Children |
| 27the April | Nicola Morgan presents | Unlocking the Teenage Brain |
| 28th April | Sara and Naya | A Mother’s Journey in Content Creation |
3. Illustration and Robotics for Children
One of the most highly anticipated workshops at SCRF 2025 is ‘Digital Cubes’, which will take place on the first day of the festival. This workshop teaches children how to create pixel-inspired art using LED lights, drawing inspiration from video games and design.
Another awaiting session, ‘Spinning Robots’, uses simple circuits and colourful paper discs to encourage electronics and kinetic art. These creative workshops and sessions reveal the creativity in children and motivate them to pursue their passions.
4. Book Club
The Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival 2025 is a haven for books, encompassing a diverse range of genres, from fiction to spirituality. This literary hub features 43 authors and 186 publishers, transporting visitors to a world of eclectic genres and new releases.
Moreover, if you prefer reading on your own rather than joining a book club, you can also get a captivating story experience in cosy reading corners.
4. Cookery Corner
A trip to SCRF is incomplete without grabbing a warm plate of appetising food! The festival offers a unique culinary experience where visitors can enjoy delicious food and learn cooking methods from renowned international chefs.
The Cooking Corner offers daily tastings of Indian biryani, Italian pasta and Japanese sushi, providing a diverse culinary experience. Moreover, with a vast range of cooking classes and competitions for children, it develops the culinary skills in youngsters.
5. Diverse Workshops
The Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival is renowned for its engaging workshops that foster creativity in every child. Whether your children are into robotics, fashion design or are still exploring their strengths, SCRF 2025 ensures that it provides a unique experience for everyone.
Some of the most interesting workshops catering to various interests and age groups are:
- Computer Coding
- Robotics
- Science
- Arts
- Dance
- Cooking
- Fashion Designing
- Furniture Making
- Car Making
FAQs
The Children’s Reading Festival 2025 will take place from 23 April 2025 to 04 May 2025 at the Sharjah Expo Centre.
Yes, the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, organised by the Sharjah Book Authority, is free for all attendees. The festival is designed to promote reading and storytelling for children of all ages.
You can call the SCRF at 800 BOOKS (26657) or send an email to info@scrf.ae.
Living or travelling to the UAE gives you a chance to attend multiple events and festivals in 2025, like:
Abu Dhabi Book Fair 2025
Sheikh Zayed Festival Abu Dhabi
UAE Spring Events
UAE Winter Festival
Dubai Food Festival
Yas Island Events
Sharjah Light Festival
The Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting family-friendly events of the year. From 23 April to 04 May 2025, Expo Centre Sharjah will transform into a hub of creativity, learning and fun, offering everything from storytelling and workshops to live performances and hands-on activities.
Whether you’re hoping to inspire your little one’s love for reading, explore new ideas or simply enjoy a day out with the family, SCRF 2025 has plenty in store. So, mark your calendar, plan your visit and get ready to dive into a world of books and imagination.
For more on annual festivals in the UAE, stay connected to the Property Finder Blog!
