From celebrating Oktoberfest to camping at Sealine, bowling for a cause and cheering on your favorite QSL teams, there’s lots to do around town this weekend.

Here are our picks:

Oktoberfest

Though Oktoberfest, a famous annual German folk festival, is usually held in September, some hotels in Qatar have postponed it to this weekend for better weather.

Sheraton Grand Doha’s The Backyard will be hosting its first Oktoberfest celebration on Oct. 13 and 14.

Doors open at the Sheraton at 6pm and live music begins at 9pm.

Tickets cost QR100 for men and QR65 for ladies, although women can enter for free up until 8:30pm. Attendees must be 21 years and over, and no religious attire is allowed by law.

Those who wish to attend can call 44485300 to reserve tickets. However, tables are not being reserved and are on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information, check out the event’s Facebook page.

The Intercontinental Doha is also hosting Oktoberfest parties on Oct. 13 and Oct. 14. The Wiesn Tent opens from 8pm to people who are 21 years and older and have a valid Qatar ID/passport.

The evenings will include performances from The Voigas Band and a German buffet. Tickets cost QR265/person and are being sold daily in the hotel lobby from 10am to 8pm, or 4484 4919.

More information can be found on the event’s Facebook page.

Cycling championships

The UCI Road World Championships is being held in Qatar this week and concludes on Saturday, Oct. 16.

More than 1,600 cyclists from around the world are in town for the 89th edition of the event, which is open to spectators.

Find out more about the remaining races that will be held on the Pearl-Qatar, at Education City and Khalifa International Stadium here.

Camping, yoga and desert safari

Local eco-tourism company 365 Adventures Qatar is hosting a full day of entertainment in Sealine this Friday, featuring a two-hour safari trip, a sunset barbecue and camping and yoga under a full moon.

Participants will first meet at an agreed-upon location at 2pm and head out to Sealine from there. Pick-up and drop-off is also offered.

The night will end with a surprise performance and participants will head back by 8:15pm. Traditional Indian and Pakistani cuisines will be provided, including chicken, lamb, kabab and soft drinks.

Tickets cost QR315 person, including an additional QR35 for yoga.

For more information, check out the event’s Facebook page or call 7008 6008 or 6698 3357.

Cinema under the stars

The Doha Film Institute is holding free move screenings at 7pm on Saturday, Oct. 15 at the MIA Park. It is showing five short Made in Qatar films, including Maryam, 10%, My Hero and Veganize It!

Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. More information can be found on DFI’s website.

Football matches

Qatar Stars League (QSL) games will be running all weekend in several venues, including Al Khor, Al Ahli and Al Gharafa stadiums and the Lekhwiya Club.

Clubs playing this weekend include El Jaish, Al Khor, Umm Salal, Al Shahania, Al Ahli, Al Wakra and Al Rayyan, among others. 

Matches will run between 5:30pm and 7:40pm. More information can be found on QSL’s website.

Bowling for a Cause

The Qatar Bowling Center will host a charity bowling event this Friday, Oct. 14.

The proceeds of the event will be used to buy plane tickets for distressed Filipino workers temporarily under the care of Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO-OWWA) in Doha.

Those who wish to participate will need to pay a minimum fee of QR400 for a group of five players. The timing of the event has not yet been announced.

Find more information here or call the following numbers: 55783315, 77096867 or 66544567.

Bonus:

• Open track: Every Wednesday between 5pm and 8:30pm, the Losail International Circuit will open its MotoGP track for cycling, running and walking to the public. The track opens for the first time today and will continue to welcome visitors every Wednesday until Dec. 28. Those heading there can park inside the circuit, near the paddock area. Gates open 6:45pm. The last entry for walkers and runners is 7:45pm, and 8pm for cyclists. More information can be found here.

• Art lecture: Popular Emirati writer and art collector Sultan Al Qassemi will discuss the political undertones of iconic Arab artworks in the 20th century tonight (Oct. 12) at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar. The lecture goes from 6pm to 8pm and is free and open to all. More information is here.

• Hévin in Doha: A live art exhibition and signing by contemporary French artist Christian Hévin will take place this Friday, Oct. 14 from 6pm to 9pm. The exhibition, which will open at Carrè d’artistes by ArtFix Gallery at The Gate Mall, will run until Sunday, Oct. 16. For more information, email [email protected]

What are your plans for the weekend? Thoughts?