A slew of cultural activities and entertainment shows will mark the Eid al-Adha celebrations across Qatar from Friday, creating a festive mood throughout the holidays.
Various festival locations are all set to welcome and entertain a large number of residents and visitors, as well as expatriate communities, who will be watching a diverse range of events, performances and attractions organised by several government institutions.
The Ministry of Interior; Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs; Ministry of Culture and Sports; and the Ministry of Public Health, as well as Qatar Charity, among others, have joined forces to organise the two-day ‘Eid al-Adha Celebrations for Communities.’
The first and second day of Eid al-Adha will see Indian and Bangladeshi artistes performing a series of musical and traditional shows on stage at the Asian Town cricket stadium car parking (Doha Industrial Area) between 5pm and 10pm.
Pakistani expatriates are expected to fill the Al Wakrah Sports Club (Football Stadium) to watch compatriot artistes Shahid Ali Khan, Khalid Malek, Khwaja Masoud, Nadiya Gul, Deepa and Mariya Khan who will be performing for two days.
The Barwa Baraha (playground) will host Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi and Indian cultural shows while the Barwa Workers Recreation Complex at Al Khor will feature musical performances by Asian artistes in Hindu, Urdu, Nepali, Malayalam, Bhojpuri, and Tamil languages.
Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and its partners have also scheduled indoor and outdoor activities across the country, including major malls and cultural venues, to entertain and engage Eid-goers with contests, educational programmes, interactive games, recreation and sports, and art workshops. 



Star Wars cosplay at the Summer Entertainment City.

Summer Entertainment City’s (SEC) marketing and communications head Michael Stellwag told Gulf Times that they will be offering unique roaming and colourful parades, theatre plays, extreme sports acrobats, Arabic folk dance ‘Dabka,’ and ‘Musical Chairs’ between 2pm and 10pm until September 5, which also forms part of the Qatar Summer Festival 2017.
SEC’s Star Wars cosplay started on Thursday with participants enthralling the audience with their fascinating and colourful costumes, and remarkable performances. 
“There is a full line-up of activities daily before the festival comes to a close on September 5. Visitor numbers are expected to grow dramatically during the festive season,” Stellwag said.
However, Stellwag announced on SEC’s social media channels that the mega Filipino concert, scheduled on Saturday at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, was cancelled “due to unforeseen circumstances.” He assured refund to people who bought tickets. 
SEC also invites residents to take part in the ‘Obstacle Challenge’ for them to qualify for the finals. Prizes include QR4,000 (men), QR3,000 (women), and QR2,000 (youth) with gold passes, dining vouchers and Aqua Park passes.
Meanwhile, free children’s shows, circus, acrobatic ballets, and Arabic plays also await families and children from Friday up to September 5 at participating malls such as Mall Of Qatar, Doha Festival City, Lagoona Mall, Al Khor Mall, The Mall, Landmark Mall, and Gulf Mall.
Radio-controlled car enthusiasts can head to Aspire Zone Park to play their toys on a race track with others between 5pm and 10pm while Souq Waqif visitors can enjoy the different games and rides between 4pm and 10pm.
Apart from the fireworks display in the evening (9.30pm), Katara – the Cultural Village is also set to welcome visitors for its “shadow theatre performances,” featuring Arabian tales between 6.30pm and 9.30pm.
On September 3, the third summer edition of Doha Comedy Festival will bring together a diverse line-up of stand-up comedy stars at the Qatar National Convention Centre at 8pm.
Other venues such as the Sealine Beach (aerial paragliding tours), Aqua Park, Souq Al Wakrah are also hosting a variety of outdoor activities throughout Eid al-Adha.
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