Doha: Countless activities and events are set to deliver joy and excitement this weekend as the whole country looks forward to celebrate this year's Qatar National Day.
From arts and craft, to music and dance, citizens and residents will have a seemingly endless number of options to spend the weekend with friends and families, in a safe and entertaining way.
Qatar National Day events
An exciting line up of events are set to happen at Aspire Park and Al Wakra Souq in celebration of the Qatar National Day. The events at both places will take place from December 14 to December 18 at 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
There are 18 events to be held at Aspire Park. These include the folllowing: Activities Corner, Golden Seconds Event, Al Magtar, Mobility Contests Playground, Wahga Game, Izbat Majlis, Sports and Culture Events, Safety and Security Characters Exercise, Ad al-Qaseed, The Arrow and the Bow, Waqif Riding Race, For Her We Sing event, Al Shaqab, Fine Art, Ardat Hal Qatar Show, Qatar Charity Theatre, and Tahhadi Square.
On the otherhand, 24 activities are in store at Al Wara Souq for the Qatar National Day. The events are the following: Q&A Competition, Al-Haddaq, Theatre, Al-Dama Majilis, Camel Riding, Fine Art, Izbat Majilis, Sea Cycles, Al Fereej Museum, Popular Games, Al-Mutaqqa, Al-Akkas (Reflector), Goal Milking Competition, Al Nahham, Nokhad Majilis, Popular Coffee, Modern Sailing Boats, 360 With You Program, For Her We Sing, Shooting Balloons, Shooting Simulation, Ardat Hal Qatar, Waqif Riding Race, and Ad al-Qaseed.
When: December 14-18, 3pm to 10pm
Where: Aspire Park and Al Wakra Souq
For more celebrations and info, click here
Drive-in Cinema - QND Special
The programme this year features selection of compelling shorts made by filmmakers who are proud to call Qatar home which also includes some internationally shown and award-winning documentaries and narratives.
The films to included in the programme are Border, Fever Dream, There Were People, Don’t Get Too Comfortable, A Lens Under Water, Virtual Voice, Atlal (Remnants), When Beirut was Beirut and Olayan.
When: December 16 (Thursday); 7pm
Where: Lusail
For more info and tickets, click here
Qatar Balloon Festival
The 10-day festival of Hot Air Balloons will see 35 balloons participating from around the world. There will be musical shows, magic shows, food kiosks and trucks, and much more.
When: December 9-18, 2021; 4pm-10pm
Where: Aspire Park
For more info, click here
D’reesha Performing Arts Festival
Qatar Foundation’s first performing arts festival — D’reesha will explore the nature of performing arts and engage a new generation of innovative artists.
Tickets should be purchased ahead of the event through the Education City app.
When: Ongoing till December 17; 5pm-8pm
Where: 2015 building - Qatar Foundation
For more info, click here
Katara 11th Traditional Dhow Festival
The 11th edition of Dhow festival will have events on both sides of the beach and the waterfront. Boat making, traditional handicrafts, and workshops showcasing ship-building process and ancient crafts can be seen as 20 countries are participating in this year’s edition.
When: Ongoing until December 18, 2021; 3pm-10pm
Where: Katara Beach
For more info, click here
Qatar International Food Festival
The Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) is a Qatar Tourism initiative that celebrates the country's diverse food, beverage and hospitality offerings. Other than diverse food options, the 11th edition of the food festival will have several other activities that range from live cooking, exciting competitions to entertainment and masterclasses.
When: On until December 17, 2021
Where: Al Bidda Park
Arab Cup 2021 Matches
For 3rd place match
When: December 18 (Saturday); 1pm
Where: 974 Stadium
For the Finals
When: December 18 (Saturday); 6pm
Where: Al Bayt Stadium
Painting Exhibition of Ara Group
The exhibition features artists Iman Maleki, Negar Neisari, Farkhondeh Ablou, Amin Pourmorshed, Mahdi Abdolhosseini, Mohammad (Vahid) Aliasgari
When: December 12-28, 2021; 10am-10pm
Where: Building 47 - Gallery 2, Katara
Katara Football Art Exhibition
Katara is holding a Katara Football Art Exhibition.
When: Ongoing until December 18, 2021; 10am-10pm
Where: Building 18
Jeff Koons: Lost in America
Jeff Koons’s first exhibition in the Gulf region provides a unique view into his exceptional career as one of the best-known contemporary artists, whose work bridges pop, minimalism and the readymade.
When: Ongoing until March 31, 2022
Where: Gallery Al Riwaq, Museum of Islamic Art (MIA)
For tickets and more info, click here
Arab Tithkar Market
An Arab souvenir market that will feature artisans from 15 Arab countries, displaying their products related to their cultural heritages.
When: Ongoing until December 18, 2021; 3pm-9pm
Where: Katara southern buildings square
For more info, click here
We Will Not Leave - Exhibition by Doha Film Institute
Drawing inspiration from the Al-Kurd family living in the embattled Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, this year’s exhibit ‘We Will Not Leave’ derives its name from their defiant and now iconic piece of graffiti art. Qatar’s creative community has come together in a spirit of solidarity, support and kinship for our Palestinian brothers and sisters to present a multimedia experience that aims to manifest both the poignant beauty and affecting hardships of their current subjugation…
When: November 8, 2021 to December 18, 2021; 10am – 10pm (Fridays 2pm – 10pm)
Where: Sikkat Wadi Msheireb
Price: Entrance for this event is FREE
Msheireb Market by Torba
High-street open-air market where you can find street vendors offering an array of products and items, including local organic vegetables, handmade crafts and jewellery, speciality foods and coffee, health and beauty products and a garden centre.
When: Every Saturday ongoing till March; 3:00 pm-9:00 pm
Where: Sikkat Al Wadi, Msheireb Downtown Doha
American muscle cars Exhibition
As part of the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture, American Muscle Cars is on display at NMOQ. An exhibition charting the increase in the supply of American automobiles to Qatar during the 1960s and 1970s.
When: Ongoing until February 2022
Where: National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ)
Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams
Fashion exhibition that will feature a selection of pieces that have never been shown before, including ensembles from the private collection of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser.
When: Ongoing until March 31, 2022
Where: M7 in Msheireb Downtown
For tickets and info, click here
Virgil Abloh: "Figures of Speech"
With more than 55 works, the event is the first museum exhibition in the Middle East, that offers an in-depth look at Abloh's diverse pioneering media practice that ranges from visual arts to music, fashion, architecture and design.
When: On until March 31, 2022
Where: Fire Station
For tickets and info, click here
Kader Attia: On Silence
A major solo exhibition dedicated to the work of the artist over the last two decades. The exhibition will feature a wide range of work across all media and include site-specific installations, sculptures, collages, drawings, video and photography.
When: On until March 30, 2022
Where: Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art
For tickets and info, click here
