All photos by Chantelle D’mello

Thousands of visitors and residents gathered at Souq Waqif last night as the second day of the annual Spring Festival kicked off.

With circus-like attractions and performers from all over the world showcasing their artistry alongside local singers and dancers, the festival brings together a cultural hodgepodge of talent over a period of two weeks.

This year’s line up includes daily performances by street artists on stilts, while “Stilt Butterflies, The Pigeons, Jumping Acrobats, Harlequin, Nature Parade” entertain audiences at the nearby Souq Park zone at regular intervals from 3:30 to 10pm daily.

The venue’s other main attractions include several cultural performances held at various stages erected at the large paved area in front of Fanar, and in several smaller spaces throughout the souq.

At last night’s show, female dancers and musicians took to the stage at one end of the souq, while a troupe of some 40 male dancers performed at a makeshift arena outside the Village restaurant.

In other areas, children gathered around to ride tiny Shetland ponies, or pose with monkeys, iguanas and snakes.

Several others gathered at a large domed tent to watch films – Pangea, The Alchemist’s Letter, Tuurngait, and Ruin – on screens that spanned 360 degrees.

The nearby Al Rayyan tent hosted an Arab singer last night, drawing large audiences inside the tent, and several hundred more outside, huddled around large screens to catch a glimpse of the action inside.

The festival will continue through Feb. 4. Here’s the full schedule:

Have you checked it out yet? Thoughts?