There isn’t a higher method to expertise Qatar than by means of its festivals. In the course of the winter, Qatar’s festivities explode onto the scene, thriving on a way of neighborhood and providing a wide range of distinctive experiences.
Whether or not you need to be educated, entertained, or fed, Qatar’s festivals spotlight native expertise and supply just a little little bit of one thing for everybody. And the perfect half? There are not any entry charges.
Planning a visit to Qatar to coincide with any pageant is a wonderful method to construction your journey itinerary. Here is a roundup of six numerous festivals, which Qatar celebrates yearly:
Al Wasmi Backyard Pageant
(February)
Overlooking the plush backdrop of Katara Hills Park is Qatar’s Al Wasmi Gardens Festival. This pageant focuses on floral artwork and presents the ingenious methods flowers might be showcased. Shows embrace floral sculptures, floral truffles and replicas of well-known floral gardens from all over the world.
The overwhelming sights and smells of the gorgeous flowers, artfully organized, are a feast for the senses. You’ll even be handled to immersive actions comparable to stone portray, origami, and story time for teenagers.
Qatar Worldwide Meals Pageant
(Late March)
Qatar is residence to individuals of many various nationalities, so any meals pageant is sure to tantalize the style buds with an array of eating choices. On the Qatar International Food Festival, dishes vary from Qatari and different Arab cuisines to Indonesian, Mexican and all the things in between. Native and worldwide artists, in addition to DJs, entertain whereas kids are enraptured by avenue performers.
As you eat and drink, you’ll be enthralled by reside cooking demonstrations from movie star cooks and fireworks shows. Meals, fireworks, festivities, and enjoyable – what extra do you want?
8 of the best eating experiences in Qatar
Ajyal Movie Pageant & Artwork Exhibition
(Early November)
Native and worldwide filmmakers have a platform for his or her cinematic choices on the Ajyal Film Festival & Art Exhibition, which raises consciousness of key world points in Qatar and throughout the area. You’ll see movie screenings, interactive discussions, popular culture occasions and a drive-in cinema at this community-focused pageant.
A lesser identified however equally attention-grabbing side of the pageant is the artwork exhibition that accompanies it. Ajyal highlights the work of native artists, tackling pressing and controversial social justice points.
Whether or not you come for the unique unbiased new voices in cinema or the promising artists from native artwork and tradition scenes, the Ajyal Pageant is a must-visit when in Qatar.
Pow! Wow! Doha Avenue Artwork Pageant
(Late November)
Turning electrical energy hubs into artworks is what makes the Pow! Wow! Doha Street Art Festival so distinctive. You’ll watch and work together with artists as they produce visually breathtaking murals incorporating colour, tradition and creativity. Artists are chosen from across the globe to take part on this quirky pageant they usually resolve on their very own theme or message in every art work.
Get pleasure from a leisurely stroll within the winter daylight whereas marveling on the transformation of the extraordinary artwork. The pageant lasts every week so it is price visiting greater than as soon as to see how the murals progress.
Uncover the perfect of Qatar’s artwork and structure
Katara Dhow Pageant
(Late November to Mid-December)
Earlier than it developed into one of many area’s wealthiest nations, Qatar had solely a small pearl fishing economic system and the Katara Dhow Festival is a chance to discover these historic traditions. That includes distributors from everywhere in the Gulf, the pageant celebrates the dhow – conventional boats of the area and the historical past of maritime significance.
Stroll alongside Katara seaside and learn the way important dhow boats have been in carving the nation’s identification and tradition. Distributors are pleased to elucidate the importance of their gadgets on show, together with native pearls, crafts, provides, instruments and collectables. Plus, you’ll get pleasure from reside demonstrations of fishing, pearl diving, and buying and selling, and admire craft demonstrations utilizing palm fronds, wooden and fishing nets.
Qatar Balloon Pageant
(Early December)
There’s one thing magical about seeing a scorching air balloon majestically touring throughout the sky, trusting the climate and circumstances to get the place it’s going. The Qatar Balloon Festival ignites that spark as you marvel at round 35 good multi-colored balloons as they launch from the verdant greenery of Aspire Park. The pageant runs for every week, so plan your go to to witness this surprise of floor and sky.
When you’re there, seize some native snacks from the meals shops, get pleasure from reside music, and, in fact, let the little ones benefit from the leaping castles. Or go up your self! You may ebook a dawn flight to look at daybreak break by means of the horizon as town is illuminated with daylight. A bit nervous of heights? No drawback – go for a tethered flight, the place the recent air balloon will rise solely 100ft above the bottom.
7 family-friendly adventures in Qatar
Select and go!
Qatar packs an enormous punch in terms of feasts and festivals. From the best art-stravaganza just like the Pow! Wow! Doha Avenue Artwork Pageant to conventional occasions just like the Katara Dhow Pageant to a meals fiesta like Qatar Worldwide Meals Pageant, there’s at all times one thing to do, see and eat. It’s additionally the best method to turn into extra aware of Qatar’s vibrant ethnic cultures and traditions.
