A wide range of entertainment shows, folkloric performances, and activities for all ages, including fireworks display, marked the opening of the Eid al-Fitr celebrations at various locations across the country yesterday.
The festivities during this season form part of the ‘Summer in Qatar (SiQ)’ programme, organised by the Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) and its more than 30 partners.
A large number of people took the Doha Metro to visit SiQ venues, including the Summer Entertainment City (SEC) at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre.
The 29,000sqm facility, dubbed as the SiQ centrepiece, features an array of rides, skill games, virtual reality and video games, live entertainment shows, food court and pop-up shops. The SEC concludes on July 13.
QSports founder and board member Adil Ahmed said they expect more visitors especially during the holidays as many residents have yet to travel overseas.
“Schools are still in session and people have not travelled. The previous years we’ve been doing it the holiday time so obviously the population drops, but this time most of the people are here,” he noted.
Participating SiQ, malls also launched special entertainment and live shows, and traditional games, as well as roaming activities, for the whole family free of charge.
Some of these shows and activities include Aladdin at Lagoona Mall; Original Monopoly and Human Sized Game at Doha Festival City; Dora and Ice Age sing along, superheroes costume competitions, and ‘Meet & Greet Justice League’ at Mall of Qatar, among others.
Meanwhile, Al Khor Mall is hosting magic and puppet shows, as well as traditional performances such as Ardha dance.
Three of Qatar’s most popular cultural tourism destinations – Katara – the Cultural Village, Souq Waqif, and Souq Al Wakrah are also celebrating Eid with various activities such as parade, gift-giving (‘Eidiya’), traditional performances, fireworks, and exciting games.
Souq Al Wakrah manager Khalid Saif al-Suwaidi said the Eid celebrations at the venue will witness five days of fireworks starting from 8.30pm.
“We also have a big tent which hosts skill games, magic shows, and activities for children, apart from the attractions and offerings at the beach area such as pony rides,” he said.
Souq Al Wakrah will also have entertainment and cultural performances, as well as roaming shows between 4pm and 10pm daily, according to al-Suwaidi.
Metrolink feeder buses are expected to take metro passengers from the Al Wakrah station to Souq Al Wakrah from the first day of Eid onwards, giving the public easy access to Qatar’s popular tourist spots.
Al-Suwaidi added that they are ready to welcome more than 60,000 festival-goers per day at the venue, which also has a huge parking area.
According to QNTC, 12 hotels from Katara Hospitality (Souq Waqif Boutique, Al Najada and Souq Al Wakrah hotels from Al Rayyan Project Management, and nine other hotels from Marriott International hotels, are offering 25% discount on best available rate on accommodation between June 4 and August 16.
Fraser Suites West Bay, The Curve Hotel, Wyndham Grand, Regency Doha, La Cigale Hotel, Oryx Rotana, Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Torch, Al Aziziyah Boutique Hotel and Amari Doha are also offering 25% off.
QNTC noted that Katara Hospitality is offering an exclusive 40% discount for the residents of Qatar, Oman and Kuwait. 
As part of SiQ, nine malls are giving up to 70% discount, apart from other promotions, for shoppers. Each QR200 spent qualifies for one of the three raffle draws total worth over QR2mn cash and car prizes with a McLaren as the grand prize. 
Participating malls include Doha Festival City, Mall of Qatar, Lagoona Mall, Landmark Mall, Gulf Mall, Tawar Mall, Al Khor Mall, Hyatt Plaza, and AlMirqab Mall.