Updated to reflect that Nutcracker tickets are still available

From a football friendly match against Russia, The Nutcracker Ballet, a dhow cruise and a dog show, there are plenty of things to check out around town this weekend.

Here are our picks:

Qatar vs. Russia friendly match

An international friendly match between the next two hosts of the World Cup is set to kick off on Thursday at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Al Sadd at 7pm.

Regular tickets cost QR30, while VIP tickets cost QR50/person. Tickets will be sold on the day of the match at the stadium ticket booths.

Currently, the Russian team is ranked 53rd in the world, their lowest since the FIFA rankings began in 1992. Qatar is at 91st.

The teams will also be practicing tonight at the venue at 7pm. Visit Qatar Football Association’s website for more details.

The Nutcracker Ballet

One of the world’s most famous ballets – Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker – is being staged at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) between Friday Nov. 11 to Sunday Nov. 13.

The ballet is based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The plot involves a toy Nutcracker that comes alive on Christmas Eve, defeating an evil Mouse King.

Tickets are on sale through the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra’s website, and cost between QR43 and QR1,000 per person. Shows run at 3pm and 8pm.

More information can be found here.

Diabetes walkathon

Walk for a cause this weekend at the MIA Park, which is hosting its seventh annual Beat Diabetes Walkathon on Friday, Nov. 11.

The event aims to raise awareness about the high diabetes rates in the region, and each attendee is asked to log a distance of 1km in solidarity.

Following the walk, participants can opt to check their glucose levels at several kiosks, or stay behind to avail of fitness activities like Zumba, dance and other sports-related challenges.

There will be a kids’ zone to keep young ones entertained, with an onsite DJ and live entertainment. Stands serving healthy snacks will also be set up at the venue.

Registration for the walk can be done here. The event is free and open to all.

Woofstock dog show

Qatar’s one and only dog show is back for the seventh time, and will take place this Friday at the Bin Jassim Al Thani family farm in Muaither at 2pm.

Hosted annually at the Qatar Animal Welfare Society (QAWS), Woofstock is a chance for dogs to get social with each other and for you to meet other dog lovers in town. All dogs are welcome on the condition that they are vaccinated (with proof), friendly and on a leash at all times.

The event will also include sales of pet accessories, QAWS and Woofstock merchandise, a bouncy castle, barbecue, face painting, desserts, competitions and raffles.

More details can be found here.

Doha Mums sale

The annual Doha Mums autumn yard sale will be held on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 9am to noon at the Doha Rugby Club.

More than 40 sellers will be there to sell home decor, clothing, toys and other pre-owned items.

The event will also feature BBQ, soft drinks and food. Entrance costs QR5 for attendees, and is free for children under the age of 10 years old. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page here.

Proceeds collected at the event will go to benefit the Doha Mums Children’s Library.

Desert safari and dhow cruise

Local eco-tourism company 365 Adventures is hosting two events this weekend that will feature yoga under a full moon, a desert safari and a dhow cruise.

The events will take place on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11 and 12. The first event will include yoga and desert safari, while the second involves yoga and a dhow cruise.

Tickets cost QR260 for the first event and QR140 for the second.

More information on both events can be found here and here.

Bonus:

• Al Wakrah beach clean-up: Give back to the environment by volunteering your time at the Al Wakrah Beach Clean-up on Friday, which is being organized by the Doha Beach Clean Project in conjunction with the French Embassy and Doha Accueil. Organizers will supply trash bags and gloves, but participants are asked to bring their own food and drinks. The clean-up will start at 8:30am and be done by 10:30am. The event is open to all, but please register here.

• QatArt Handmade Market: Qatar’s handmade community will once again showcase their creations at the QatArt pop up bazaar on Friday, Nov. 11, from 3 to 8pm. The event is free and open to all and will take place at the Katara Art Studios in Building 19. More information can be found here.

What are your plans for the weekend? Thoughts?