Sharjah is launching the first Jashe and Sahnah Festival in Kalba from September 24 to 27, 2026. Organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) with Kalba City Municipality, the four-day event will showcase traditional sun-dried fish, Sahnah, fishing practices and products made by local families. The festival also supports a wider push to develop Kalba’s fish-processing industry while preserving the UAE’s East Coast maritime heritage.
- Location: Kalba, Sharjah
- Organised by: Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry with Kalba City Municipality
- Dates: September 24–27, 2026
- Who can attend: Residents, families, visitors and tourists
- Business impact: Local fishermen, food producers and home-based businesses will have opportunities to promote and sell their products
- What’s next: A fish-drying factory in Kalba is expected to begin production in 2027
When is the Jashe and Sahnah Festival in Kalba?
The first Jashe and Sahnah Festival will take place in Kalba from September 24 to September 27, 2026, according to the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The four-day event will bring together fishing companies, fish-processing businesses, productive families and home-based businesses. Visitors will be able to discover traditional fish products while learning how they are prepared and preserved.
The festival is part of efforts to keep traditional practices connected to modern economic activity in Sharjah’s Eastern Region.
What are Jashe and Sahnah?
Jashe is a traditional sun-dried fish product, while Sahnah is a condiment made using dried fish and traditional spices.
Both are linked to the food traditions of communities along the UAE’s East Coast, where fishing and fish preservation have long been part of daily life.
During the festival, visitors will be able to see traditional preparation methods and purchase locally produced varieties. Demonstrations will also cover the catching and drying of Al Ouma fish and the preparation of Sahnah.
That makes the event relevant not only to food lovers but also to visitors interested in Emirati heritage and traditional coastal life.
What can visitors expect at the Kalba festival?
The programme will combine food, heritage, business and marine activities.
According to SCCI, the festival will feature competitions, educational workshops and sessions focused on marine sustainability and responsible fishing.
There will also be displays featuring fishing technologies and boats, giving visitors a closer look at how the industry has developed while retaining its traditional roots.
A dedicated marketplace will give productive families and home-based businesses a chance to showcase and sell their products. Companies working in fishing equipment and fish processing will also participate.
Six government and community organisations are expected to take part, including the Sharjah Fish Resources Authority, Sharjah Museums Authority, Sharjah International Marine Sports Club, Environment and Protected Areas Authority, Sharjah Institute for Heritage and Kalba Cooperative Society for Fishermen.
How is Sharjah supporting Kalba’s fishing industry?
The festival comes as Sharjah works to strengthen the economic potential of traditional fishing and fish-processing activities.
In January 2026, SCCI held discussions with the Sharjah Fish Resources Authority and Kalba Municipal Council about establishing a fish-drying factory in Kalba.
The proposed facility is designed to modernise traditional fish-drying activities while improving areas such as product quality, food safety, storage, marketing and value creation.
In July 2026, Sharjah Ruler Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi said the fish-drying factory was under development, with production expected to begin in 2027.
The project provides an important link between the festival and Sharjah’s wider plans for the fisheries sector. Traditional products such as Jashe can retain their cultural value while also being developed into commercially viable products.
Why Kalba is an important setting for the festival
Kalba provides a natural setting for an event centred on fishing and maritime heritage.
The city sits on Sharjah’s East Coast and has a long connection with fishing communities and the sea. Its heritage and environmental attractions have also made it an increasingly important destination within Sharjah.
The festival adds another reason for residents and visitors to explore Kalba, particularly families looking for cultural and community-focused activities.
By bringing food producers, fishermen, government bodies and visitors together, the event can also create greater visibility for smaller businesses operating around traditional products.
The Jashe and Sahnah Festival gives UAE residents a chance to experience traditional East Coast food and fishing practices in one place.
For local businesses, it provides a platform to reach new customers and promote products rooted in Sharjah’s heritage. For fishermen and food producers, the wider development of fish-processing facilities could create opportunities to improve how traditional products are prepared, stored and marketed.
The festival also highlights the balance Sharjah is trying to maintain between heritage preservation, business development and marine sustainability.
With the planned fish-drying factory expected to start production in 2027, the September event could also offer visitors an early look at how an old fishing tradition is being developed for a modern market.
FAQs
When will the Jashe and Sahnah Festival take place?
The first Jashe and Sahnah Festival will run from September 24 to September 27, 2026, in Kalba, Sharjah.
What is Jashe?
Jashe is a traditional sun-dried fish product associated with the UAE’s East Coast food heritage.
What is Sahnah?
Sahnah is a traditional condiment prepared using dried fish and spices. The festival will include demonstrations showing how it is traditionally prepared.
What activities will be available at the festival?
Visitors can expect competitions, educational workshops, marine sustainability sessions, responsible fishing activities, traditional fish-preparation demonstrations, fishing technology displays, boats and a marketplace featuring local and home-based businesses.
Is Sharjah developing a fish-drying facility in Kalba?
Yes. Sharjah has been working on a fish-drying factory in Kalba, with production expected to begin in 2027, according to statements made by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi in July 2026.
The first Jashe and Sahnah Festival will bring Kalba’s fishing and food heritage into the spotlight while creating space for local producers, fishermen and family businesses. With Sharjah also developing a modern fish-drying facility in the city, the event reflects a broader effort to preserve traditional practices while giving them a stronger place in the local economy.
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