Katara - the Cultural Village Foundation's Eid al-Fitr festivities came to an end with a spectacular fireworks display.

The display was a "fitting culmination of the festive activities and entertainment held on the Katara’s premises and beachfront", according to a press statement.

A considerable number of Qataris visiting the festival lauded the presence of visitors from other GCC countries such as Kuwait and Oman, stressing that this added to the joy of the occasion.

At the same time, the Omani and Kuwaiti visitors appreciated and thanked Katara and the people of Qatar for the warm welcome and hospitality. They also noted that the Eid festivities in Qatar provided a fulfilling and enjoyable experience.

The Eid festival "mirrored Katara’s efforts to offer the public events that were a blend of spirituality, family ties, physical activities and entertainment", the statement noted. "Katara hosts such festivities every year and this time the huge crowds that assembled at the Cultural Village over the past few days was proof of the festival’s success."

This year’s festivities saw the crowds arrive early in the evening, as most visitors, especially those with children, were keen to have enough time to enjoy the activities and events that had been set up across Katara’s premises. The shows were held over three time slots - at 7pm, 8.30pm and 9pm.

A music and dance extravaganza titled Fantasia held the audience spellbound. The show, based on the ‘1001 Arabian Nights’, was a visual treat, with performers dressed in vivid costumes performing to lively Arab-inspired music. The audience was enthralled by the 3D light-and-sound effects that accompanied the performances, making for a memorable experience.

The ‘Alien Show’ too, was a huge draw, especially among the younger visitors, with some of the guests visiting Katara specifically to watch the show. Stalls featuring gifts and giveaways (Eideyaa), held on all days between 7.30pm and 9pm, delighted visitors, especially those with children.

In addition to the above, the interactive storytelling sessions on Arab heritage were a hit among families, particularly those keen to learn more about the region’s culture and heritage. The sessions featured tales from the '1001 Arabian Nights', 'Aladdin' and 'Sinbad'.

The beachfront, too, was packed with people who were keen to make the most of their holidays. Water sports enthusiasts could cool off with activities such as swimming between 3.30pm and 6pm each evening.

The festivities were seen as a grand finale to the Katara Ramadan Festival that was held during the holy month. The Ramadan Festival comprised exhibitions, storytelling events, treasure hunts, competitions for both adults and children and sports tournaments.

Aside from the activities and events, a large number of food stalls offering multi-cultural cuisine attracted visitors. Both children and adults were seen to be eager to sample the food at these stalls, most of which had been set up close to the beachfront. Cafes and ice cream vendors, especially, saw brisk trade as they tried to keep up with the demands of visitors.