Kicking off a host of events around Doha this month, the 2012 Doha Trade Fair opens today.

Billed “Qatar’s biggest shopping festival,” the 10-day fair will be held at the Doha Exhibition Center, running from 11am to 10pm daily and from 2pm to 10pm on Friday.

More than 570 exhibitors from 29 countries will be selling everything from household items to toys, gadgets and electronics; perfume and cosmetics; to clothes and food.

Other highlights include a fun zone area for families and children, which will include face painting, bouncy castles and a parade.

The parade will perform four shows daily starting from 2pm, and will include a fire show as well as a barrel show (whatever that is).

Stay tuned to hear more about what else is going on in Qatar in January.

Plan on going to the trade fair? Let us know what you think!