Qatar Calendar unveils a special lineup of events celebrating Ramadan and beyond
With the holy month of Ramadan in full swing, the March edition of Qatar Calendar offers a vibrant lineup of family-friendly events that capture the essence of this special time. Visitors can look forward to food festivals, immersive exhibitions, unique art displays, and exciting sporting events, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy this Ramadan. Ramadan Activities. Old Doha Port welcomes the return of the Throwback Food Festival throughout the holy month of Ramadan, offering visitors a daily feast of culinary delights from a diverse range of cuisines. Also taking place throughout Ramadan until March 30, is Hosh Msheireb, an experience inspired by the warmth of family gatherings in the courtyard of a traditional Qatari heritage house. It provides a welcoming space for family and friends to come together and embrace the spirit of the holy month. Additionally, Msheirebis hosting a variety of Ramadan-themed activities from March 1 to April 1, adding to the festive atmosphere. This month residents can also enjoy Ramadan Nights at Hyatt Plaza, an annual Ramadan campaign running from March 1 to April 4, featuring engaging activities such as kids’ workshops and roaming characters. Ramadan at Torba Farmers Market returns to Education City from March 7 to March 29, where visitors can enjoy traditional craftsmanship, Arabic cuisine, and sweet treats in a lively setting. The third edition of The Pearl Ramadan Bazaar will bring a vibrant array of kiosks featuring food and crafts to 2-5 La Croisette, Porto Arabia, The Pearl, from March 1 to April 5. For those looking to shop, the Tajheezat Sha’ban & Ramadan Trade Fair at Katara Cultural Village offers a wide selection of discounted products from February 25 to March 12. Additionally, the Ramadan and Eid Shopping Exhibition at DECC runs from March 16 to March 29, providing even more great deals for shoppers. Those interested in Islamic art can explore traditional craftsmanship at the Ramadan Herfah Workshops, held at Al Khater House from March 2 to March 22. For family-friendly fun visitors and residents can head over to Le Marché at Place Vendôme Mall for activities including Paintless Paintball, Bazooka Ball, and the Space Tribe Ball Pit, running now until April 30. Sporting Events Education City, in partnership with the Qatar Sports for All Federation, is hosting the Sports for All Ladies Ramadan Series 2025 every Saturday from March 1 to March 22. The event features four races ranging from 5 to 30 minutes. Also taking place at Education City is Ladies Night x QSFA Tournaments, running from March 4 to March 26. This series includes four Ramadan tournaments exclusively for women, featuring football, volleyball, badminton, and running races. For those looking to test their endurance this Ramadan, The North Challenge, organised in partnership with Qatar Ultra Runners, offers a two-hour running race at Heenat Salma Farm on March 6. Lusail Circuit is also promoting health and physical activity with the Dukhan Bank Ramadan Duathlon 2025, set to take place on March 14. Two volleyball tournaments are happening this month: the 3rd “Ekbes” Beach Volleyball Tournament 2025 at Old Doha Port from March 6 to March 14, and the Volleyball Tournament at 974 Beach from March 12 to March 14, where participants can form teams and compete for prizes. A squash competition, QSF 3 PSA Satellite “Senior” (1K) – Squash, is also taking place at Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex from March 17 to March 20. Exhibitions and Festivals Qatar’s exhibition scene is thriving with a diverse range of insightful art displays and showcases including the Mal Lawal 4 Exhibition, running until April 10 at Sahat Al Nakheel in Msheireb Downtown Doha, explores the history of gaming with a special focus on the 1990s. Over at Fire Station’s Gallery 4, The Voyager is the Narrator II: New York & Paris Residency Exhibition will feature the remarkable works of 10 talented artists who participated in the international residency program in Paris and New York. The Al-Raqim Exhibition, running until June 21 at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), celebrates Arabic calligraphy as an art form. Meanwhile, In the Realms of Mecca: A Journey through the Rituals of Hajj and Umrah at MIA offers an immersive look into the sacred rituals of Hajj and Umrah until December 30. For those interested in fashion and accessories, the Rouda Al Malki Exhibition at Al Dana Club from March 7 to March 12 will showcase women’s essentials, including abayas and jewellery. Additionally, the first-ever Asian Nuts and Dried Fruits Exhibition is now open at Souq Waqif, bringing together over 40 companies from around the world. Running from March 1 to March 10, the exhibition offers visitors a chance to explore a wide selection of premium nuts and dried fruits from top global producers. For detailed event information and to stay updated, visit www.visitqatar.com, download the Visit Qatar app, and follow @QatarCalendar on social media.
Qatar Tourism welcomes over 190,000 cruise passengers by mid-season
Qatar Tourism has announced remarkable mid-season success for the 2024/2025 cruise season, reaffirming the State of Qatar’s position as a growing hub for cruise tourism in the GCC region. By January 20th, 2025, Qatar welcomed over 53 cruise ships, bringing an impressive 191,944 cruise passengers to Qatar’s shores. This includes 20,951 turnaround passengers who have used Doha as a starting point for their cruise journeys. To date, visitors from Germany lead arrival figures with (30.2%), followed by Russia at (10.8%) and Italy at (9.2%). The top 10 nationalities collectively account for 69.2% of the total number of passengers. This season was further enriched by the arrival of four new cruise ships visiting Doha for the first time including Resorts World One, MSC Euribia, Celestyal Journey, and Costa Smeralda. Additionally, Norwegian Sky is expected to call on 12 April 2025. Costa Smeralda, ranked the 8th largest cruise ship in the world scheduled to make 10 calls this season, bringing an estimated total of 82,000 passengers. Omar Al Jaber, Chief of the Tourism Development Sector, at Qatar Tourism, said: “The impressive growth of Qatar’s cruise sector is a testament to our strategic vision as part of the National Tourism Strategy 2030. Looking ahead, more than 30 cruise ships are expected by the end of the season in April 2025, bringing approximately 185,000 demonstrates the rising demand for Qatar’s exceptional cruise offerings combined with strong partnerships with global cruise operators. These record-breaking numbers reflect Doha’s growing prominence as a regional turnaround hub. As we continue to invest in state-of-the-art infrastructure and enrich the visitor experience, our commitment to positioning Qatar as a premier cruise destination remains steadfast.” The cruise industry has become a cornerstone of Qatar’s national tourism strategy, experiencing remarkable growth in recent years. Doha Port’s strategic location in the heart of the city allows visitors to maximise their short stays, with iconic landmarks such as the National Museum of Qatar and Souq Waqif positioned nearby. This experience is further elevated by the Grand Cruise Terminal. Combining classic Arabian architecture with state-of-the-art facilities, the terminal stands as a symbol of Qatar’s commitment to providing world-class experiences for cruise visitors. As Qatar continues to expand its tourism offerings, the cruise industry remains a key driver of the nation’s vision to position itself as a world-class destination.
