Don’t let the dusty, windy weather get you down this weekend, because there are a multitude of things to do – including learning how to drive in the desert, supporting the people of Gaza and checking out summer festival activities. Here are our picks:

Summer festival

Several venues across Qatar will be holding activities to mark the nation’s first summer festival, including snow tubing, wall climbing, kayaking, water shows and water sports.

The Corniche, Doha Exhibition Center, Al Khor Mall, and Al Wakrah Beach are all featuring events that cater across age groups. For more information, visit our QTA Summer Festival guide here.

Qatar Offroaders trip

A local adventure group is hosting a beginner’s class in off-roading this Friday, Aug. 8, at 1:30pm. The group will meet at the Dairy Queen by the Ramada signal, after which they will proceed to the Inland Sea.

Interested participants will learn how to drive around the desert, what to do if they get stuck and how to use tools common in off-roading like shovels and winches. Later, the team will head down to the beach for a swim and BBQ.

While the event is free and open to the public, access to an SUV is vital. Attendees are required to bring their own SUVs, or to hitch a ride with someone who owns one. Prior registration for the event is mandatory, and can be done online here.

Additionally, Qatar Offroaders must be notified of the car’s model along with any modifications made or offroading tools installed. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page or contact 7070 7652.

Kayaking by moonlight

For those who are feeling adventurous, Entalek, a local organization that offers outdoor activities and environmental education programs, is hosting a moonlight kayaking trip this weekend. The event will take place on Friday, Aug. 8.

The trip costs QR250 per person, and interested participants can book their tickets online here.

The group will meet at the Al Thakira Marina at 6pm before heading out to kayak into the sunset. A barbeque will be held after the event, but attendees will have to bring their own food.

The group will supply all cooking equipment.

SUVs are preferred, but those driving sedans can also make the trip. For more information, call Adele at 3023 3207.

Festival for Gaza

To help the thousands of Palestinians killed and displaced in Gaza due to a weeks-long Israeli bombing campaign, Katara Cultural Village is hosting a festival on Friday, Aug. 8 from 9 to 11pm.

The lineup includes art shows and musical and cultural performances that express solidarity for Gaza.

There will also be art exhibitions by the Qatar Fine Arts Society, the Qatar Photographic Society and the Visual Art Center. Proceeds from food sales at Katara and Aspire Zone restaurants on the day will go toward helping victims in Palestine.

The event is free and open to the public, and is being organized by Katara, Qatar Red Crescent (QRC), Qatar TV, Al Rayyan TV and q.media.

Bonus:

• Qatar Diabetes Association Recruiting Fair: Take care of your health this weekend by enrolling in a free seven-week study organized by the Qatar Diabetes Association. Residents with type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes or a BMI of 30 and above are invited to attend a recruiting fair for the trial, held at QDA from Aug. 4 – 6. The event, held in conjunction with Qatar University, aims to help participants gain a better knowledge of health and healthy lifestyle choices. For more information, contact QDA at 4454 7313.

What are your weekend plans? Thoughts?