From the return of the MIA Park bazaar to a 68km bike race to acting like a tourist for a day, there are quite a few things happening around town this weekend. Here are our picks:

MIA Park Bazaar

Qatar’s largest outdoor handicrafts and specialty goods market is back for the season on Saturday, Oct 1 at the MIA Park.

The bazaar runs from noon to 7pm and is a homage to the old souqs of yore, featuring some 150 stalls selling food, clothes, accessories, arts, crafts, décor and the like. The event is free and open to the public.

It will be held every Saturday until the end of April 2017. Visit its Facebook page for more information.

Additionally, carousel rides at the park will be available from 6pm to midnight daily. The new structure is located between the children’s playgrounds and the waterfront cafe and costs QR15/child per ride.

Defected In The House

Two of the world’s top DJs Sam Divine and Simon Dumore will be performing a concert this weekend at the Hilton Doha Hotel.

The concert will take place tomorrow (Sept. 29) and will run from 8pm to 2am. Attendees must be 21 years or over to enter.

Ticket prices range between QR150 to QR300. Tickets for those who pay in advance online cost QR150, while tickets at the door cost QR200.

For more information, check out the event’s Facebook page.

*Note: Doha News is giving free tickets to new and existing members. Sign up here to claim them.

Road race

Qatar Chain Reaction’s (QRC) first road race of the season will kick off this Friday with a “handicap” race (for riders of all skills levels) from 6:30am to 9:30am in Dukhan and Umm Bab.

All riders will complete one lap with a distance of 68km, and prizes by GO Sport will be awarded to the first 10 riders to cross the finish line, as well as to the overall fastest rider.

Those who wish to join must pay a fee of QR50 and can either join the group’s Facebook page or submit a query through this contact form. Visit Qatar Chain Reaction’s website for more information on upcoming races.

Tourist for a day competition

To mark World Tourism Day this week, the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) has launched a competition to encourage residents to explore the country.

Eight life-size photo frames have gone up across Qatar at some of the country’s most significant landmarks.

They are the Museum of Islamic Art; Katara Cultural Village; Al Zubarah Fort; Souq Waqif; Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum; Aspire Zone; Imam Muhammad ibn Abd Al Wahhab Mosque; and Richard Serra’s East-West installation near Zekreet.

Residents who take photos through these frames and upload them to social media using the hashtags #WTD2016 and #ShowcaseQatar are entered into the competition.

This will run until Saturday, Oct. 1, and those who win could get free weekend stays at a local five-star hotel.

Desert safari and camping

Local eco-tourism company 365 Adventures Qatar is hosting a full day of entertainment in Sealine this Friday, featuring a two-hour safari trip, a barbeque under the sunset and camping, among others.

Participants will first meet at an agreed location at 2pm and head out to Sealine from there. Pick-up and drop-off is also offered.

All events will finish by 10:30pm, although overnight camping is optional.

A traditional lunch of Arabic cuisine with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options will be provided, including shawarmas, falafels and soft drinks.

Tickets cost QR250 for regular participants, while overnight campers pay QR350 with a minimum booking for five people. Discounts can be offered to groups larger than 12 people.

For more information, check out the event’s Facebook page or call 7008 6008 or 6698 3357.

Art workshop

Katara Art Studios is hosting a three-day art workshop taught by renowned Qatari artist Ali Dasmal Al Kuwari from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1.

The “Structuring Artwork Perception” workshops begin at 5pm and end at 9pm in Building 19 and is open to males and females between 25 and 40 years of age. Participants are required to pay QR200 per person.

To register, send your name and phone number to [email protected] or call 44080233 or 44080235.

Bonus:

• The Ripple Effect: TEDxQatarUniversity is hosting a full day of talks featuring nine different speakers this Friday at Qatar National Convention Center’s (QNCC) main theatre. The event will start at 2pm and end at 10pm. Tickets cost QR100 per person, and a 50 percent discount applies to Qatar University students.

What are your plans for the weekend? Thoughts?