Eid al-Fitr celebration ends on a high note

Most of the Eid al-Fitr celebrations across Qatar concluded Friday, providing an array of crowd-pulling events featuring family-friendly shows and activities for different age groups.

The first three days of the holidays, held between April 21 and 23, witnessed stellar performances from renowned artistes in the region, fireworks displays at various locations, including the Doha Corniche, and a wide range of children’s shows.

The events were part of ‘Feel Eid in Qatar’ campaign, organised by Qatar Tourism, in partnership with Qatar Airways, marking the festive occasion and drawing a large number of attendees.

Fans of popular Egyptian singer, actor, composer, director and songwriter, Tamer Hosny, along with DJ Rouge, thronged the Al Mayassa Theatre, Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) for a live performance on April 21.

On April 22, renowned Lebanese artistes Marwan Khoury and Najwa Karam enthralled the audience at the same venue with their hits, bringing a unique celebration of Khaliji music. The third day of Eid showcased Qatar’s very own Fahad al-Kubaisi, recent winner of Saudi Idol – Hames – and Emirati singer Balqees, in a one-of-a-kind concert.

The Eid holidays also witnessed the reopening of Lusail Winter Wonderland and other celebrations at various locations such as Katara – the Cultural Village, Msheireb Downtown Doha, The Pearl-Qatar, Al Bidda Park, Lusail Boulevard and Souq Waqif, among other venues, which attracted a large number of families.

The festivity at Lusail Boulevard, which also concluded Friday, included a special performance by popular singer Khadidja Mouath on April 27, in addition to an array of shows and fun-filled activities in the evening such as bubble and clown shows, jugglers, Asian Dragon Tiger show, Drummer Girls show, Michael Jackson show, and Big Feather show.

Besides the spectacular fireworks and drone show, the celebration at Lusail Boulevard also featured a series of parades, carnival and stage shows, and street entertainment that lasted until midnight.

“I had the chance to spend at least a day at Lusail this Eid break and it was absolutely amazing. The atmosphere was lively, weather was pleasant, and there were a lot of food offerings around,” Filipino expatriate Roselyn P told Gulf Times.

Indian expatriate Aneeta M echoed the same experience saying that their daughter enjoyed the parade, fireworks display, drone show, and the different roving performances in the evening.

Some of the celebrations at Katara – the Cultural Village featured music performances by members of the Police Training Institute, Eid gift-giving for children at the Katara Corniche during the first three days of Eid, “The World 2030” performance at Al Hekma Hall, ‘best dress competitions’ for boys and girls below 15, Eid quiz “Questions and Answers”, and fireworks display on the first and second day of Eid at the Katara Beach.

Msheireb Downtown Doha marked eight days of Eid al-Fitr with several activations, children’s games, arts and crafts and other educational activities, roving performers and live musical performances. An interactive planting workshop for children, organised in partnership with the Ministry of Municipality at Sikkat Al Ghafa, also attracted many participants.

A beautifully decorated Barahat Msheireb offered visitors a relaxing environment, as well as a wide range of food and beverage options.

“Shaun the Sheep”, a much-loved children’s show, enthralled the audience for three days at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall while the Sports Festival at Asian Town wowed spectators from April 21 to 23.

Other activations and shows during the Eid break included mall roaming shows, mega park carnival at Al Bidda Park, a unique shopping experience and festivities at The Pearl Qatar’s Porto Arabia, and a musical theatre show at Hamilton International School.

The Eid holidays also saw a large number of residents and visitors exploring several popular destinations outside Doha such as the Purple Island in Al Khor, Al Zubarah Fort, 'Shadows Travelling on the Sea of the Day' (by renowned Icelandic–Danish artist Olafur Eliasson), Arsan Cafe (Old Ruwais Police Station), and Al Khor Park, Al Ruwais Park.

Tawfeeq Travel Group CEO, Rehan Ali Syed noted that travel agencies with destination management facilities also performed well in promoting various experiences in the country, including desert safaris, beach camps, shopping trips, kayaking in the mangroves, Baladna Park, as well as visits to stadiums, apart from Souq Waqif and other hugely popular destinations.

It is learnt that hotels and resorts in Qatar witnessed high occupancy during the Eid al-Fitr holidays, offering enticing options and staycation packages.