From ancient games to World Cup glory

Welcome to Al-Monitor Doha.

This week at the Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, a guided tour links the quiet awe of centuries-old artifacts to the roar of the 2022 World Cup. Across the Corniche, the city’s most refined rooftop dining spot, IDAM by Alain Ducasse, welcomes the return of cooler evenings with a refreshed menu and a view that slows everything down. And as night falls, the stage lights up at QNCC with Wael Kfoury and Angham, while families head south to Ezdan Mall Al Wakra for a world that glows and shimmers in color.

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Thanks for reading,

Reve

P.S. Have feedback or tips on Doha's culture scene? Send them my way at contactus@al-monitor.com.

1. Leading the week: QOSM and Khalifa International Stadium Tour

Visitors explore the galleries of the Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum in Doha. (Photo courtesy of Qatar Museums)

The Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum takes visitors on a journey that begins in galleries filled with centuries of sporting history and ends inside Khalifa International Stadium, where World Cup matches unfolded just two years ago. It's one thing to look at Olympic torches behind glass. It's another to walk through the tunnel of an actual World Cup venue.

The tour starts at 3-2-1 QOSM, where you move through galleries that trace sport from ancient civilizations to the present day. Nearly 100 objects and reproductions tell this story, though what strikes you most might be the Hall of Athletes, where 90 sporting figures from the past century are honored. The Olympics section unfolds across four zones, exploring how a 19th-century ideal became the global phenomenon we know today.

But it's the Qatar Sports Culture gallery that provides essential context for what comes next. Here, the narrative shifts from global to local, charting how Qatar transformed itself from a nation of traditional sports like falconry and pearl diving into a destination for international sporting events. The interactive Activation Zone lets visitors test their own athletic abilities through motion sensor games and digital challenges, a playful break before the main event.

Then comes the walk to Khalifa International Stadium. This isn't just any stadium tour. You're entering a venue that hosted matches during the 2022 World Cup, witnessing the architecture and infrastructure that helped Qatar announce itself on the world stage. The museum guides take you through key areas, connecting what you've just seen in the galleries to the very ground where sporting history was written two years ago.

Date: On select days during October

Location: 321 QOSM

Find more information here.

2. Word on the street:  IDAM by Alain Ducasse

 Sunset view from the rooftop of IDAM by Alain Ducasse. (Photo courtesy of IDAM by Alain Ducasse / Instagram)

Doha's weather has finally shifted, which means one thing: Outdoor dining season is back. And if you're looking for a place to spend an evening that actually matters, IDAM by Alain Ducasse deserves your attention. Perched on the top floor of the Museum of Islamic Art, this Michelin-starred restaurant offers something rare in the city: a view that competes with the food on your plate.

Executive chef Fabrice Rosso has refreshed the menu for the season with dishes that lean into brightness and balance. It's high cuisine that doesn't announce itself loudly but leaves an impression.

The timing matters here. As the sun drops over the Corniche, the entire space transforms. The interplay between the museum's architecture, the water and the shifting light creates a backdrop that's legitimately romantic, not in a forced way but in how it naturally slows things down. This is where you bring someone when the moment calls for it.

Worth noting: IDAM hosts jazz nights that add another dimension to the experience, and this month they're also welcoming Chef Guillaume Galliot from Hong Kong's three Michelin starred Caprice for a collaboration with Chef Rosso. It's a rare chance to see two accomplished chefs working in dialogue, blending French technique with Asian influences.

Date: Sunday to Thursday

Location: Museum of Islamic Art

Find more details here.

3. Doha diary

Photo of Wael Kfoury performing in Ehden. (Photo by Diana Farroukh, Flickr)

• Wael Kfoury

The “King of Romance” brings his powerful voice and timeless catalog to the Qatar National Convention Centre for an evening of passion and melody. Lebanon's Wael Kfoury has spent decades perfecting the art of the Arabic love song, and this concert promises to deliver his most beloved hits in a setting that matches their elegance. For fans who've grown up with his music, this is your chance to experience one of the Arab world's most distinctive voices live.

Date: Oct. 16

Location: QNCC

Find more information here.

• Angham

Egyptian singer Angham brings three decades of Arabic pop to the Qatar National Convention Centre for an evening of her most beloved work. Since her 1987 debut, she has shaped modern Arabic music with her signature vocal range and emotional depth, delivering hits like "Omry Maak," "Sidi Wesalak" and the platinum certified album, “Kolma N'arrab.”

Date: Oct. 17

Location: QNCC

Find more information here.

• Cartoon Orchestra

Following its success in Kuwait, the Cartoon Orchestra makes its debut outside the country at Al Mayassa Theatre, reviving animated classics through orchestral arrangements. Under the artistic direction of Kuwaiti maestro Khaled Nouri, the concert bridges decades of beloved Arabic and international animated soundtracks from the 1970s to today. Enhanced by cutting edge visual and audio technologies, the performance transforms nostalgic theme songs into vibrant contemporary pieces that resonate with children and adults alike.

Date: Until Oct. 17

Location: QNCC

Find more information here.

• Glow in Light – A Magical World of Lights and Fun

Ezdan Mall Al Wakra transforms into a luminous wonderland with its first ever Glow in Light celebration, where vibrant installations and glowing decor create an immersive family experience. Young visitors can explore neon painting, glow slime making, LED bracelet decorating and more, while Thursday and Friday evenings feature spectacular LED performances including DJ characters, magic shows and bubble displays. The event turns the mall into a canvas of light and color, designed to spark wonder and creativity.

Date: Until Oct. 24

Location: Gate 1 – Ezdan Mall Al Wakra

Find more information here.