Doha to Wakra - souqs make it an Eid to remember

The heritage atmosphere, special Eid decor and various entertainment activities have made Souq Waqif and Souq Al Wakra prime destinations for families this Eid al-Fitr.
The two hugely popular destinations in Qatar are hosting the Eid al-Fitr Festival 2023, a celebration spread over five days. Both the souqs have been witnessing a large turnout of visitors since the festivities began on the second day of Eid Saturday.
The Celebrations Committee at the Private Engineering Office has lined up various activities, including skills games for different age groups, performances by Qatari musical bands, heritage parades, shows in the souqs’ corridors featuring children’s favourite characters, and lots more.
The two souqs also offer a wide range of cuisines, from traditional Qatari food to delicacies from other parts of the Arab world and beyond.
Both Souq Waqif and Souq Al Wakra are distinguished by their traditional yet urban character. The souqs preserve the specifics of traditional Qatari architecture with their beautiful shops, alleys and design, while Souq Al Wakra also gives visitors to opportunity to relax by the sea.
Visitors, including the younger ones, could be seen having a great time during visit to the two souqs. At Souq Al Wakra, roaming performers, drumbeats and traditional Arabic songs kept the visitors engaged along with other attractions.
Traditional tents have also been set up there, while children are given Eid gifts and families can enjoy the pleasant weather sitting by the sea.
“The souq is characterised by a combination of the past and present, heritage and contemporary. It’s a good place to spend the holiday. It's a unique experience here,” one of the visitors, Mohamed Jaseem, told Gulf Times, adding that a variety of cuisines are also on offer at the eateries dotting the seafront.
Various roaming performances are among the attractions at Souq Waqif as well. "The souq is a charming place. The offering at restaurants and shops is diverse and cater to different budgets. The games and events being held at Souq Waqif make the children really happy,” said Abdul Rasheed, who visited Souq Waqif with his family on the third day of Eid.
Meanwhile, on the first day of the festival, the two venues witnessed a large turnout of Qatari and resident families as well as GCC citizens, according to the official Qatar News Agency.
A large number of people enjoyed the events and activities lined up by the Celebrations Committee, including games and infantry teams' performances, with the moderate weather encouraging people to go out and have a good time.
The committee said the Eid al-Fitr Festival at Souq Waqif has always been a special occasion due to its location in the heart of Doha, adding that the souq includes all vital facilities required by visitors as well as restaurants offering all kinds of food - eastern and western - as well as traditional Qatari dishes.
Souq Al Wakra is hosting the Eid al-Fitr Festival this year following the success it has achieved on such occasions and during other festivals over the past years. The souq is distinguished by its heritage nature and location.
The performing troupes spread joy among visitors with their luminous and lacy clothes, beating their drums to create an enthusiastic musical atmosphere.