Experience the Spirit of Qatar: 10 Unmissable Cultural Festivals

There's no better way to discover Qatar's spirit than by starting with its food, which is surrounded by culture and tradition. Held during March and April, it's the perfect opportunity for foodies to gather and savour delicious cuisines from all over the world and Doha alike. From international dishes to local flavours, there's a wide range of culinary delights to explore

During March, the capital city of Doha is lit up for the cultural festival. The rich culture and tradition are vastly showcased at this event through local art and creativity. This is expressed through dance, singing, photography and poetry readings that display the country's rich storytelling traditions. The royal family also often presides over this event, making it quite significant.

Dhow boats have been sailing the Arabian seas for centuries, and to pay homage to their cultural significance, a festival is celebrated every year during December. Visitors can watch a spectacular fireworks show, explore art exhibitions that showcase the history of dhow boats and have some tasty local food. 

Celebrated in November, this festival is a week-long festival that celebrates the motion arts and is an appeal to individuals of all ages. It features cosplay, video games and interactive talk sessions, perfect for any movie or film addict and offers a great way to soak in the heritage of Qatar through films made by local directors and actors.

Held at Katara Cultural Village in Doha during March, the festival celebrates the rich sealife heritage and history of Arabian culture. The activities revolve around marine education, dhow making, fishnet weaving, entertainment and sports, along with fun art and craft activities for the kiddos to enjoy, and not to forget a display of fantastic food authentic to the culture and heritage. A question that may be pondered in one's mind is, ''What are the best hotels in Qatar to stay at?'' Wouldn't it be great to get the whole experience by staying at a hotel to relax and unwind after all these fun activities?

A must-visit during the Spring season from December to January, these alleyways fill with a perfect mix of culture and heritage, as they burst with colours that feature fun street performances, dancing, art and music. Visitors can enjoy carnival rides, magic shows, folk dancing and amazing food stalls to enjoy. It truly is a fun and spectacular festival to be a part of! The fact that the Souq Al Wakra Hotel Qatar By Tivoli is very close to all this fun is convenient as well!

The skies in Aspire Park in Doha fill up with colourful kites during March, where skilled kite flyers from around the world showcase their amazing talents. Kites adorned with cultural hues can be seen in the skies. The festival includes competitions, food stalls, parades and amazing performances. Anyone is free to try out their kite flying skills, which makes it a perfect festival to try out with the whole family.

The Qatar International Art Festival is held in Katara Cultural Village for six days straight during late October to early November. This festival showcases amazing artwork and creativity of various artists from all over the world, where unique and culturally adapted arts from Doha's local artists can be viewed as well.

Ramadan is a holy and sacred 3-day festival celebrated after a month of fasting, prayer and reflection. It is a public holiday in Qatar with firework displays often presented at night, and although most families celebrate at home, many local shops and restaurants give special discounts and offers during this festive season.

It is a national holiday that celebrates Qatar's unification on 18th December under Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani. It is where firework shows, live shows, music, dancing and amazing food can be enjoyed.