The weather is perfect, and it’s another weekend to enjoy a host of family friendly activities, whether it’s catching the last days of the festival at Souq Waqif, relaxing to one of the world’s best-known pieces of classical music or doing a bit of shopping in Katara. Here are our picks:
Qatar Motor Show
Bringing together some of the best and biggest names in automobile manufacturing, the annual Qatar Motor Show returns this year from Feb. 6-10 at the Qatar National Convention Center. It will be open to the public from 1pm to 10pm on the weekend, and from 4pm to 10 pm on Feb. 8-10.
On offer are various new vehicles models, accessories as well as some of the world’s most high-performance sports cars. While the event is free and open to the public, residents are requested to register online here. For more information, schedules, and news, visit the event’s website here.
Orchestral concert
Led by conductor Dmitrij Kitajenko, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra will perform music from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s world-famous Swan Lake on Friday, Feb. 6, alongside soprano Linda Watson and the MDR Radio Choir of Leipzig
In addition to scene 1, Dance of the Swans and a waltz from scene 2 of the ballet, the program also features Sergei Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky, Op. 78 and Alexander Borodin: From Prince Igor: Polovtsian Dances.
It will take place in the Opera House, building 16 of Katara Cultural Village, starting at 7.30pm. Children over the age of six are welcome. Tickets cost between QR75 and QR200 and can be bought here.
QatART Handmade Market
The next QatArt Handmade Market will be held at Katara Cultural Village on Feb 6 from 3pm to 10pm outside Building 19.
Residents are welcome to shop at the event, which will feature jewelry, accessories, paintings, illustrations, graphic design, craft kits, bags, clothes, home decor items and accessories. There will also be photography, handcrafted cards and boxes, as well as party supplies and homemade food.
For more information, see the market’s Facebook events page here.
Arabian Drag Racing League
Following an action-packed first round last weekend, the Arabian Drag Racing League will return to the tracks at the Qatar Racing Club for yet another weekend of competition.
Cars and bikes will compete in separate short races over the course of two days: from 2pm onwards on Feb. 5, and from 1pm onwards on Feb 6.
The event is free and open to the public, but pit passes cost QR500 for the entire season.
Residents are advised to bring along a pair of ear plugs.
For more information and a full schedule, visit the event’s website, or the group’s Facebook page.
Souq Waqif Spring Festival
Head over to the souq and catch the last few days of the Souq Waqif Spring Festival, which will be held daily until Friday, Feb. 6.
Festival offerings are divided into three zones. One of the best-known musical bands for children in the region, Karameesh, will perform two shows daily (4pm and 7pm) until Feb. 6 at the Al Rayyan Theater.
A dolphin area in the souq features an hour-long water show (3:30pm and 6:30pm, tickets cost QR50 and QR100), while there is also a games zone opposite Fanar, which has carnival game booths, food stalls and amusement park rides that cost QR10 each.
Events run at intervals from 3:30pm to 10:30pm. For a full schedule, timings and parking spots, visit the festival’s website.
Bonus
- Colour Run: Following a last minute reschedule, Qatar’s first Color Run will be held this Saturday, Feb. 7, at Qatar National Convention Center. The first wave of runners leaves at 8:15am. While online registration is now closed, registered participants are requested to be at the venue by 7:15 am along with their race bibs and packs. The start chute will close at 9:30 am. For more information, zones, parking, routes, and other details, visit the event’s website.
- MIA Park Bazaar: The Museum of Islamic Art Park will hold its weekly bazaar this Saturday, Feb. 7, from noon to 8pm. A homage to the old souqs of yore, the bazaar features some 150 stalls selling clothes, accessories, arts, crafts and décor. The event is free and open to the public and will continue to be held every Saturday until May. For more information, visit the event’s website here.
Note: The Qatar Mega Marathon has been postponed. The event, which was due to take place on Feb. 6, has been rescheduled for March. 27. Al Saad Sports Club is attempting to break the world record for the most runners participating in a marathon, with more than 45,000 people expected to join in. Details of the new plans can be found here.
What will you do this weekend? Thoughts?
I cant believe you have advertised this appalling activity again Doha News. http://livestream.seashepherd.org/
Other nations have outlawed such barbaric entertainments, including India . If they really want an authentic show, I suggest they colour the water RED.
What’s your problem?
he’s right you know.
My problem is Qatar supporting the shipping of captive dolphins and other sea mammals for entertainment in a pool. Everytime such shows take lace it is actively supporting the industry in Japan which herds entire families into Taiji Cove where they are slaughtered en mass, with some selected for shows such as this and the various aquatic parks around the world. That is not just MY problem, it is inhumane, is outlawed in many nations and Qatar is supporting it by allowing this to take place. It lets people here think that dolphins are happy smiley creatures- they are not smiling they are screaming. Before you sneer at the issue, I dare you to follow the link to the livestream
Very well said, outdoorsboy. I am dismayed that this is appearing on Doha News for a second time as an ‘attraction’ at Souq Waqif festival. It is nothing of the kind. It is cruel and inhumane treatment of animals and it is abhorrent to be promoting it as ‘entertainment’.
Well said, man.
Qatar, you are better than this, you must do better.
Does animal have consciousness? To date there have never been any convincing evidence that they do. Can they differentiate if they are dead or alive? Their brains are only for the purpose of being themselves but this is also being debated. Pity human more and less(er) on animal .. take good care of our mothers, parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, daughters and sons. Make sure they are all in good forms, happi(er), fill their hearts with joys … before we scream on animal rights .. just saying .. Cheers and Peace 🙂
Animal welfare. Big problem in Qatar.
If Spring Festival really wants some animal involvement, invite the local Vets and Animal Rescues to offer advice on how to care for your pets. Let people see some of the successes, and also some of the tragedies which abound in Doha. Stream the Live links from Sea Shepherd, educate and change hearts and minds. Celebrate the fact that the people of Qatar can really make a difference, and learn that animals are not commodities or status symbols like the flashy cars on show.
Going to Dubai… still not beaten. ..
plz post more events
https://www.facebook.com/FanarQatar/posts/777694148977064
DOHA ISLAMIC CONVENTION 2015
“Honouring the Messenger”
On 5th & 6th Feb 2015 at 7-10PM
Venue: Katara Amphitheatre.
See you there with family and friends.
Note: its free and open to all.. no registration required!
see the attached pictures for more info about the speaker and topic.
For the Qatar Motor Show, do we need to bring the printed out registration document or can we load the PDF on a smart phone for example? Thank you.