From catching the finals of the AIBA World Boxing Championships to enjoying a free ride on the water from Border Security to learning more about Qatar’s history to spouting poetry at open mic night, there is no shortage of things to do around town this weekend. Here are the highlights:

Coast Guard Week 

The Ministry of Interior is inviting residents to partake in their lineup of activities and demonstrations scheduled to be held as part of a ‘Coast Guard Week.’

Various entertainment and education activities will be held during the event, which runs from 9am to noon and 4pm to 8pm today and tomorrow, and from 4pm to 8pm on Friday at the Museum of Islamic Art Park.

Attendees can learn more about proper safety protocols when at the beach, while swimming and riding watercrafts.

Additionally, visitors will be given short sea trips by the Coast Guard and Border Security.

AIBA World Championships

Catch the last few days of international boxing action as the AIBA World Boxing Championships concludes this weekend. The finals will be held today and tomorrow, (Oct. 14-15) at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena in Al Sadd.

Though most tickets for Thursday’s matches appear to be sold out, residents can still grab some last-minute passes – each between QR35 to QR100 – to today’s bouts online online here.

Children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult, while those under 3 years old can enter free of charge.

Autumn market

Score some early fall and holiday goodies at the annual Doha Mums Autumn Market on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 11am to 4pm at the Radisson Blu hotel.

There, vendors will be selling both ready-made and handmade clothing, accessories, toys, decorative items, gourmet goodies, local artworks, pet accessories and more.

Entrance costs QR20/person, payable at the door. Residents looking to avoid the crowd can also register for a special pre-entry held from 10 to 11am, where they can get first pick of the items on sale. Those tickets cost QR50/each.

For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page here.

Superbike World Championships

The Eni FIM Superbike World Championships will take place from Oct. 16 to 18 at the Losail Circuit.

The event will feature some of the best riders from around the world in fast and furious-style races. The event officially starts on Oct. 17, with free practices and qualifying rounds from 3 pm onwards.

Races and warmups will be held on Oct. 17 and 18 from 1pm and 5:15 pm, respectively. Nighttime tickets can be purchased at QMMF offices in Salwa Road until tomorrow, Oct. 15, or from the circuit’s ticket booths during the event.

Grandstand tickets cost QR100 for the three days, while Paddock passes cost QR 300. See the full schedule here and visit the event’s website here.

Book club 

As part of its mission to encourage more residents to read, the Qatar National library will host its monthly book discussion today, Oct. 14, from 6:30 to 8pm at the HBKU Student Center.

This month’s book is titled Jassim – the Leader: Founder of Qatar, and focuses on Sheikh Jassim Bin Muhammad Bin Thani, dubbed the founder of modern-day Qatar.

Written by the former Minister of Economy and Commerce, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Ahmed Bin Jassim Al Thani, the book details how the ruler was able to unify tribes, control regional conflicts and establish Qatar as a consolidated state. The event is free and open to the public.

Acoustic showcase

Music aficionados and undiscovered artists alike are invited to attend the House of Wow’s Acoustic Showcase and Open Mic Night on Oct. 15 and 16, respectively.

A lineup of 11 local artists, singers and guitarists are scheduled to play from 7pm onwards at the acoustic showcase, while  comedians, dancers, singers and musicians are welcome from 7 to 10 pm on Friday.

Both events are free and open to the public and will be held at the House of Wow, Villa 12, Al Idreesi St, Madinath Khalifa South.

Bonus:

• Arts and crafts workshop: FNAC at Lagoona Mall is hosting a series of creative workshops this fall. This week’s workshop will focus on making crepe paper flowers, and will be held this Saturday, Oct. 17, from 4pm onwards. The session is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the group’s Facebook page here.
• Conversation with Luc Tuymans: Globally renowned Belgian artist Luc Tuymans will be unveiling his first solo show in the Gulf at an interactive session on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 5pm at the Museum of Islamic Art Auditorium. Tuymans is renowned for his figurative paintings moulding mediated film, television, and print sources into examinations of history and memory.

What are your plans for the weekend? Thoughts?