Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, the organisers of the Sharjah Water Festival, has announced that the ninth year of the event will be held from December 16th to 20th, from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily, at the Khalid Lagoon and Al Majaz Waterfront.

The authority said that new activities have been incorporated this year adding more excitement to the event, including family leisure activities, carnivals, mini stage shows, jet-ski school, free style show and a heritage village. In addition, there are activities to mark the birthday of Mouj, the festival's mascot. As part of the Sharjah Water Festival, the authority is including UIM F1H20 World Championship 2015 Week, which features three World Championship titles all being played out in Grand Prix finals on Khalid Lagoon between the 17th and 20th December.

Announcing the launch of the Sharjah Water Festival, Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, said, "Over the past eight years, Sharjah Water Festival has strengthened its position as one of the main entertainment events, attracting families from inside and outside the UAE. Today, with the launch of the ninth year, which includes new events and activities, Sharjah Water Festival has established itself as one of the most important tourism attractions that contribute to the Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021 as the emirate aims to 10 million tourists by 2021."

Al Midfa said the UIM F1H20 World Championship 2015 – Grand Prix of Sharjah at the Khalid Lagoon, hosted by the emirate for the last 16 years as part of the Sharjah Water Festival, will be as usual the most prominent round in the championship. "This year, with the support of the Sharjah International Marine Club, we have been able to develop this event into a world championship week featuring, F1, F4 powerboat finals as well as the Aquabikes."

Al Midfa said that the promotional campaigns for the Sharjah Water Festival have been rolled out in local and regional media. In addition, the authority has taken part in promotional tours and international exhibitions and invited various media delegations to the emirate to familiarise them with the festival activities and Sharjah's major landmarks and tourism attractions.

"On this occasion, we extend our sincere appreciation to all our partners and sponsors for their continued support for this major tourism event, which has become a key element in the efforts to promote Sharjah as a leading centre of family tourism at the regional and global level," Al Midfa concluded.