Semi ripe dates. Salim Matramkot / The Peninsula
Visitors can explore a wide variety of locally grown dates at at the fourth Local Dates Festival which opens today at Souq Waqif.
Organised by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment and Souq Waqif, the festival features over a dozen local varieties from over 80 local farms — nearly quadruple the number of participants from the previous year.
The festival is open from 4pm to 10pm until August 3.
Part of Summer in Qatar, curated by Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC), the Local Dates Festival is aimed at promoting home-grown products by providing local producers with a platform to market their goods and reach newer consumers.
It is part of a wider strategy to diversify offerings for both residents and visitors in Qatar, showcasing local businesses and providing authentic experiences and traditional products.
Summer in Qatar includes a plethora of retail offerings across participating malls, as well as entertainment for all, summer camps for children and youth, thrilling experiences and sporting tournaments in addition to exciting travel and hospitality promotions running until August 16.
