The first-ever Eid Festival in Qatar kicked off on Tuesday, featuring a spectacular fireworks display and a live concert on the Doha Corniche that attracted a huge number of spectators. Such a gathering was a first since the Covid-19 outbreak.
The fireworks display at 9pm enthralled the crowd, who filled a stretch of the Doha Corniche, as well as several areas of Al Bidda Park. The spectacle marked the start of a three-day festivity in the country, which will conclude on May 5.
In a statement, Qatar Tourism’s Marketing and Planning department head Hessa al-Thani said: “Qatar Tourism is pleased to bring back large-scale events that are open and accessible to everyone, especially on this joyous occasion of Eid. We’re particularly proud to bring to Qatar a new show not yet experienced in the region. Furthermore, we are pleased that this festival will support and benefit partners across the tourism and hospitality sector”.
Qatar Tourism’s Events and Festivals Technical Support Section acting head Hamad al-Khaja said: “We are delighted to celebrate Eid in Qatar with the residents and visitors of Qatar, having paused for some time owing to the pandemic. We are also continuing our tradition of hosting family-friendly events, bringing multiple activations that suit every age and that align with our culture and traditions.”
One of the highlights of the three-day event – the region's first-ever giant balloon parade scheduled 4.30pm – was cancelled yesterday due to bad weather, according to Qatar Tourism.
The parade, which will feature more than a dozen helium-filled balloons with varying designs, shapes, and colours, was supposed to take off at 4.30pm yesterday (May 3) but the timing was changed to 9.30pm. However, organisers announced later that it was cancelled.
As part of the programme, the parade of giant balloons, featuring characters from popular video games and films such as Angry Bird, Minions, Super Mario, and Disney, among other cartoons, is expected to take place today (May 4).
The first day of the festival showcased wholesome activities and activations for families and individuals to enjoy such as marching bands, carnival games, and food stalls.
All food trucks, offering an array of local and international dishes, snacks, and drinks – from burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and sweets to coffee, milk teas, and other offerings – witnessed long queues since the opening of the event.
Both the Doha Corniche and Al Bidda Park served as a play area for children and picnic ground for thousands of visitors, especially families, spending the Eid holidays in the country.
For the live music concert, renowned Iraqi artiste and composer Mahmoud al-Turki took the centre stage at a dedicated section of the event, drawing a huge number of fans.
Qatari artiste and singer Nasser al-Kubeissi is scheduled to perform today (May 4) at the festival while Saudi Arabian artiste/singer and composer Sultan Khalifa will be on stage on May 5.
The festival also offers a number of fun-filled carnival games for different age groups, in addition to inflatable play areas for children to enjoy.
The Doha Metro and Lusail Tram networks, which have 12,000 parking spaces for metro users, proved to be a reliable mode of transportation as it helped ease public movement during the Corniche Road closure for the Eid Festival.
The network’s 37 stations provided seamless transportation for passengers going to key destinations in the city and the Corniche area such as the National Museum, Souq Waqif, Corniche, Al Bidda, West Bay, and DECC station, in addition to leisure destinations, parks, and gardens.
Many residents are spending most of their time during the day at major malls and shopping centres before heading to the Eid Festival using the metro. It is learnt that the Qatar National Library is also one of the most visited places in Qatar this Eid.
“I’m trying to maximise my Eid holidays by roaming around the city, going from one place to another using the metro. It’s a very practical way since it saves me a lot of time and money,” said Filipino expatriate Jerome F, who, along with his friends, also witnessed the fireworks display.
Box:
The daily schedule of events is as follows:
* Crowd entrance and lineup from 3pm
* Giant balloon parade from 4.30pm to 5.30pm
* Concert from 7.30pm to 9pm
* Fireworks display at 9pm
* Games and activities/roaming performers from 5.30pm to 11pm
* Helium balloon showcase from 5.30pm to 11pm
The fireworks display at 9pm enthralled the crowd, who filled a stretch of the Doha Corniche, as well as several areas of Al Bidda Park. The spectacle marked the start of a three-day festivity in the country, which will conclude on May 5.
In a statement, Qatar Tourism’s Marketing and Planning department head Hessa al-Thani said: “Qatar Tourism is pleased to bring back large-scale events that are open and accessible to everyone, especially on this joyous occasion of Eid. We’re particularly proud to bring to Qatar a new show not yet experienced in the region. Furthermore, we are pleased that this festival will support and benefit partners across the tourism and hospitality sector”.
Qatar Tourism’s Events and Festivals Technical Support Section acting head Hamad al-Khaja said: “We are delighted to celebrate Eid in Qatar with the residents and visitors of Qatar, having paused for some time owing to the pandemic. We are also continuing our tradition of hosting family-friendly events, bringing multiple activations that suit every age and that align with our culture and traditions.”
One of the highlights of the three-day event – the region's first-ever giant balloon parade scheduled 4.30pm – was cancelled yesterday due to bad weather, according to Qatar Tourism.
The parade, which will feature more than a dozen helium-filled balloons with varying designs, shapes, and colours, was supposed to take off at 4.30pm yesterday (May 3) but the timing was changed to 9.30pm. However, organisers announced later that it was cancelled.
As part of the programme, the parade of giant balloons, featuring characters from popular video games and films such as Angry Bird, Minions, Super Mario, and Disney, among other cartoons, is expected to take place today (May 4).
The first day of the festival showcased wholesome activities and activations for families and individuals to enjoy such as marching bands, carnival games, and food stalls.
All food trucks, offering an array of local and international dishes, snacks, and drinks – from burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and sweets to coffee, milk teas, and other offerings – witnessed long queues since the opening of the event.
Both the Doha Corniche and Al Bidda Park served as a play area for children and picnic ground for thousands of visitors, especially families, spending the Eid holidays in the country.
For the live music concert, renowned Iraqi artiste and composer Mahmoud al-Turki took the centre stage at a dedicated section of the event, drawing a huge number of fans.
Qatari artiste and singer Nasser al-Kubeissi is scheduled to perform today (May 4) at the festival while Saudi Arabian artiste/singer and composer Sultan Khalifa will be on stage on May 5.
The festival also offers a number of fun-filled carnival games for different age groups, in addition to inflatable play areas for children to enjoy.
The Doha Metro and Lusail Tram networks, which have 12,000 parking spaces for metro users, proved to be a reliable mode of transportation as it helped ease public movement during the Corniche Road closure for the Eid Festival.
The network’s 37 stations provided seamless transportation for passengers going to key destinations in the city and the Corniche area such as the National Museum, Souq Waqif, Corniche, Al Bidda, West Bay, and DECC station, in addition to leisure destinations, parks, and gardens.
Many residents are spending most of their time during the day at major malls and shopping centres before heading to the Eid Festival using the metro. It is learnt that the Qatar National Library is also one of the most visited places in Qatar this Eid.
“I’m trying to maximise my Eid holidays by roaming around the city, going from one place to another using the metro. It’s a very practical way since it saves me a lot of time and money,” said Filipino expatriate Jerome F, who, along with his friends, also witnessed the fireworks display.
Box:
The daily schedule of events is as follows:
* Crowd entrance and lineup from 3pm
* Giant balloon parade from 4.30pm to 5.30pm
* Concert from 7.30pm to 9pm
* Fireworks display at 9pm
* Games and activities/roaming performers from 5.30pm to 11pm
* Helium balloon showcase from 5.30pm to 11pm
