Celebrate Eid with music, art & theater across Doha
World Cup art, horror-comedy theater & a novel set in modern-day Qatar.
Welcome to Al-Monitor Doha.
Eid al-Adha is around the corner, and Doha is preparing with a full lineup of performances, parades and family-friendly activities. From fireworks at Katara to Brazilian music at Mall of Qatar, the city is offering a wide range of ways to mark the holiday. This week, we spotlight key Eid events, a striking World Cup-inspired art exhibition and stage productions that weave together folklore, fantasy and a touch of horror.
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Reve
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1. Leading the week: Eid al-Adha celebrations across Doha
Musicians perform during celebrations marking the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha at the Katara Cultural Village in the Qatari capital Doha on June 16, 2024. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)
Doha is marking Eid al-Adha 2025 with a range of events, performances, and activities for all ages. Here’s your guide to what’s happening across the city:
Light up the night
Eid evenings in Doha wouldn’t be complete without fireworks — and this year, the skies will be brighter than ever. Katara Cultural Village sets the stage for a dazzling fireworks display from June 6 to 8, painting the night sky with vibrant colors. Further south, Al Wakrah Old Souq offers its own seaside magic with nightly fireworks from June 6 to 9.
Eid at Msheireb
Step into the heart of the city for a modern take on festive tradition. Msheireb Downtown transforms into a hub of excitement from June 6 to 10, featuring performances, pop-ups and family activities across its stylish streets and venues.
Blooming celebrations at City Center Doha
City Center Doha is marking Eid with a floral-themed celebration from June 4–15, featuring workshops, children’s crafts and colorful photo installations. The mall’s festive setup offers a bright, interactive space for families and visitors to enjoy the holiday atmosphere.
Mall of Qatar
Feel the rhythm of Brazil right here in Doha. The Oasis Stage at Mall of Qatar brings the energy of Rio alive with samba, drumming, capoeira and parades from June 6 to 14. Shows take place at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., offering multiple chances to join the celebration and dance the night away.
2. Word on the street: “After the Game”
Morocco fans, including one dressed as Batman, cheer the team on during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group F football match between Canada and Morocco at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on Dec. 1, 2022.
What happens when the final whistle blows? At “After the Game,” the story continues — through powerful photography, intimate short films and vivid artistic reflections on one of the world’s most celebrated sporting events.
Running until June 20 at Gallery 4 – Fire Station, the exhibition captures the passion, emotion and atmosphere of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. From stadiums to streets, the display showcases work by local photographers and filmmakers who documented not just the matches, but the energy of the fans and the pulse of the nation during the tournament.
The show includes short film selections from the Doha Film Institute’s Made in Qatar program. Among the featured artists is Asmaa Al Abdulla, who found her calling in the fast-paced world of sports photography, blending movement and emotion in every frame; Abdulhalim Saad Albader, shaped by the analog era, brings a nostalgic, detail-focused eye to his work; and Ayyed Ibrahim, a former national volleyball player, uses his firsthand knowledge of sports to capture striking, story-driven images that bridge his athletic and artistic passions.
Dates: Through June 20
Location: Gallery 4 – Fire Station
More details here.
3. Doha diary
Visitors build life-size LEGO creations. (Photo courtesy of LEGO SHOWS website)
Maskoun Laila theatrical play
Folklore meets fantasy in Maskoun Laila, a Kuwaiti theatrical experience that follows a jinn family as they enter a human home, unleashing a series of surreal and emotional events. This imaginative play explores coexistence and cultural identity, blending myth and modern storytelling on stage.
Dates: June 7-8
Location: UVENUE Theater
More information here.
LEGO SHOWS Qatar
Get ready for a brick-tastic adventure as the LEGO Shows land in Qatar. Packed with interactive zones, massive models, creative workshops and family-friendly fun, this immersive event is a dream come true for LEGO lovers of all ages.
Dates: June 7-22
Location: QNCC Hall 8 and 9
More information here.
‘Al-Bayt Al-Maskoun’
Brace yourself for horror with a twist of comedy in “Al-Bayt Al-Maskoun,” a Kuwaiti play that brings haunted house thrills to Katara. Shadows, strange voices and unexpected laughs await as the story unfolds in this long-running cult favorite celebrating 30 years of horror-comedy theater.
Dates: June 6-12
Location: Drama Theater at Katara Cultural Village
More information here.
Blippi’s Garage at Doha Festival City
Little inventors can explore the world of mechanics and motion at Blippi’s Garage. Featuring play zones, meet and greets with a Blippi-trained actor and mascot T.A.B.B.S, it’s a fun and educational outing for children. Entry is free with a minimum spend at the mall.
Dates: June 8-14
Location: Center Court, Doha Festival City
More information here.
4. Book of the week: “Love Comes Later”
Set in modern-day Qatar, “Love Comes Later” by Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar delves into love, loss and the quiet resistance to cultural expectations. After losing his wife and unborn child, Abdulla vows never to marry again — until family pressure leads to an arranged engagement with his cousin Hind. But Hind is equally reluctant, hoping instead to pursue a master’s degree in England. When she befriends Sangita, an Indian-American woman with her own struggles, all three find themselves navigating questions of duty, identity and freedom. This emotionally rich novel offers a rare glimpse into personal lives shaped by tradition, expectation and the pursuit of choice.
5. View from Doha
Foreign workers play cricket in a field in Doha near sunset on May 31, 2025. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP)
6. By the numbers
- Qatar leads the Arab world in life expectancy at birth, reaching 80.2 years, according to the United Nations 2024 World Population Prospects report.
- The 2025 Social Progress Index ranks Qatar 3rd in the Arab region and 50th globally for quality of life, based on 57 indicators including health, education, personal rights and environmental sustainability.