This weekend is once again full of Ramadan-related activities across Qatar, including festivals for children and volunteer opportunities.

Elsewhere, there are also opportunities to stay in shape and sharpen your social media skills at some of the various events taking place across Qatar.

Here are our picks:

Garangao

The halfway point of Ramadan coincides with celebrations at various locations all across Qatar for family-oriented Garangao festivals.

Held annually on the 14th day of fasting, Garangao celebrations typically include an evening music, colorful traditional clothing and candy for children.

Katara, Aspire and local cultural awareness group Embrace Qatar are all hosting events this evening, Wednesday, July 1. For full details, check out Doha News’ Garangao guide.

Qatar Volunteers Iftar drive

Keeping with the charitable spirit of Ramadan, one of Qatar’s largest volunteer groups is hosting a three-day Iftar drive from July 2-4 with the aim of promoting safe driving.

The group says it will create and distribute 2,500 Iftar packs containing water, juice, dates and biscuits to commuters stuck in traffic at Sports Roundabout, Ramada Signal and Airport Signal during Iftar time.

Interested participants are requested to drop off items today from 9:30pm to 10:00pm and tomorrow, Thursday, July 2, from 2:30pm to 9:30pm at Loyola International School.

Goods will then be packed on Friday, July 3 from 7:30pm-9:30pm. On July 4, volunteers are requested to meet at the school at 3pm to prepare and head out in groups to distribute the kits. Dinner and refreshments will be provided to all volunteers.

For more information, please contact 6660-4594 or 5564-3599 or visit the group’s Facebook event page.

Social Media Day

Mashable’s sixth annual social media day is coming to Doha for the first time as enthusiasts from all over the country meet on July 3 from 9pm onwards.

The event, which will take place at Jones the Grocer at the Gate Mall, will focus on how social media has revolutionised the digital world while highlighting the contributions made by developer and users alike.

According to event organisers, the goal of this event is to bring together business professionals, innovators, influencers and the general public for an opportunity to connect their online networks offline, in a face-to-face setting.

The event is free and open to the public. To reserve a spot, visit the event’s online registration page or the Social Media Think Tank Facebook page.

Ramadan at Katara

Continuing its month of Ramadan-themed activities, Katara Cultural Village is hosting another week of lectures, workshops and exhibitions celebrating the spirit of the Holy month.

This week, Qatar Solar Technologies – a member of Qatar Foundation – is set to open an exhibition on solar art built by youths between the ages of six and 16 from Qatar Academy, Doha College and Awsaj Academy.

Featuring more than 200 pieces, the exhibition will be held daily from July 1 until the end of Ramadan from 9pm onwards at Katara’s Building 13. Workshops encouraging children to build their own solar lanterns will also be held daily in conjunction with the exhibition from July 1-18.

Meanwhile, the Ramadan market is scheduled to continue each night from 8:30pm to midnight at the Esplanade, featuring several stalls selling traditional goods along with storytelling sessions from 9pm to 11:30pm.

Elsewhere at Katara, Roza Hassad – a large flower and fruit production farm several kilometers out of Doha – will be running Eid flower arrangement workshops between July 4-9 from 8-10pm daily. During the workshop, which will be held at the Katara Art Studios, attendees will learn the basics of flower arrangements.

Other workshops include the weekly Ramadan Family Workshop in Building 19. This week’s session will be held from 8-11pm on Friday, July 3 and will focus on Drum Almshr. Admission is QR150.

To register, send your name and phone number to [email protected] or call 4408-0233 or 4408-0235. Enrollment is on a first come first serve basis.

Aspire Splash and Dash

Stay in shape with Aspire’s annual Splash and Dash event, which sees the Dome Swimming Pool and Indoor Athletics Track used for open swimming and running sessions.

The event is open to both amateurs and experiences athletes from July 1 to August 30.

Sessions are mixed-gender, cost QR10, and open to the public from every Sunday and Wednesday at 7-9 pm from July 1-22, and every Sunday and Tuesday at 8-10pm from July 26-August 30.

Registration is open online throughout the duration of the event and in person at the Aspire Dome main reception entrance on Sundays and Wednesdays from 5:30pm-9pm between July 1-27.

For more information, procedures, and details, visit the Aspire Splash and Dash site.

What are your plans for the weekend? Thoughts?