From celebrating Chinese week to attending a jazz festival to laughing it up at a comedy show, there’s plenty to do around town this weekend.

Here are our picks:

Chinese festival

As part of Qatar’s Year of Culture partnership with China, the country is hosting a Chinese Festival that kicks off tonight.

The event runs through Saturday, Nov. 5 and takes place at the MIA Park.

It will feature the Zhejiang province’s top musicians, cultural performances, a Chinese market and some authentic food. There will also be kite making workshops, tea ceremonies, Chinese language classes and other offerings, according to the schedule.

The event is a collaborative effort between Qatar Museums, the Ministry of Culture of China and the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture.

Today’s event will begin at 5pm and end at 10pm. On Thursday and Friday, the festival will run from 2pm to 10pm. On Saturday, it goes from 10am to 10pm.

Meanwhile, family activities will also be held at the MIA Park under the event’s umbrella. They include storytelling and a dragon art activity open to both children and their parents. These will take place on Friday and Saturday from 4pm to 6pm.

Notably, parking at MIA will not be available from today to Saturday. Instead, visitors are asked to use the underground car park near Souq Waqif.

There is also a Free Park & Ride Service going from Old Doha Airport Parking to the MIA Park. More information can be found here.

Chinese film week

Keeping the Chinese theme going, the Doha Film Institute (DFI) will showcase a series of renowned and innovative films that emerged from China and Hong Kong starting this Thursday, Nov. 3 until Monday Nov. 7 at the Museum of Islamic Art.

The series features major box-office stars like Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee alongside the work of several acclaimed filmmakers, including Chen Kaige, John Woo, Xiaogang Feng and Jia Zhang-ke.

Timings for screenings vary; on Nov. 3, 6 and 7, screenings begin at 7:30pm, while on Nov. 4 and 5, they begin at 4:30pm. Screenings will take place at MIA’s Auditorium.

Those interested can pay QR100 for a ticket package that allows one ticket per screening, or pay QR35/movie. Children under eight years old will not be allowed.

Parking at MIA will not be available during. Instead, visitors can use the underground car park near Souq Waqif. For more information, visit DFI’s website.

European Jazz Festival

Katara’s third annual European Jazz Festival will open tonight at 7pm and run until Monday, Nov. 7.

Performers include international bands such as Atom String Quartet and Three Fall and The Golden Circle Quartet.

Musicians will be perform from 7pm to 9:30pm at Katara Building 5.

Entry is free and open to all. More information can be found on Katara’s website.

Stand-up comedy show

Renowned French comedian, actor, director, writer and singer Élie Semoun will perform in Doha for the first time tonight at the Intercontinental Doha – the City.

The comedy show will take place at the hotel’s Al Jawhara Ballroom starting at 9pm. Doors open at 7pm.

French snacks, including cheese and wine, will be available before and after the show. DJ Steve Paris will also be performing after the show.

Ticket cost QR200 for regular seats, QR250 for premium and QR300 for gold. All can be purchased at FNAC in Lagoona Mall and at the hotel’s reception. More information can be found here.

Kayaking trip

Discover Arabia – Entalak is holding a mangrove exploration tour on Friday, Nov. 4 in Al Thakira.

The 90-minute tour is being held at 9am and 2pm. It will include glimpses of Qatar’s flamingos, and a chance to take an African drumming course for those who sign up for the afternoon session.

Tickets cost QR200/person. A barbecue in a majlis style setting at the beach is available for QR50 more. More information can be found here.

Longines Global Champions Tour

Head over to Al Shaqab this weekend to watch some of the world’s top riders and horses in action.

The Longines Global Champions Tour will feature the top 30 show jumpers worldwide, all which will be competing for prize money.

The event will take place on Thursday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 5. Thursday’s show will begin at 3:30pm, and Saturday’s will begin at 5:15pm.

Tickets cost QR35 for adults and QR15 for children. You can book them here.

Football matches

Qatar Stars League (QSL) games will be running all weekend in several venues, including Al Khor, Al Arabi and Al Wakrah, Al Rayyan, Al Shahaniya, Al Sailiya and Al Kharaitiyat stadiums.

Clubs playing this weekend include El Jaish, Al Sadd, Umm Salal, Al Ahli, Al Gharafa and Lekhwiya, among others. 

Matches will run between 5:20pm and 7:30pm. More information can be found on QSL’s website.

Bonus:

• Karting and mini moto: Losail Circuit Sports Club is offering 15-minute karting sessions every weekend from 5 to 10pm. Tickets cost QR100 per karting session and are available at the venue. An additional non-refundable QR15 is required to purchase a helmet mask. Participants interested in mini moto (which also runs on a separate track from 5pm to 10pm) should bring their own bikes and safety equipment.
• ‘Cultural Reformation’ exhibition at Katara: A new art exhibition called ‘Cultural Reformation’ opened in Katara last night and features the works of four artists, all hailing from different backgrounds but raised in Qatar. Their work demonstrates how each of the artists sees Qatar’s culture from their perspective. Among the works are paintings, sculptures and digital installations. The exhibition will run until Nov. 24 and is showcased at the Katara Art Center everyday from 10am to 9pm.

What are your plans for the weekend? Thoughts?