Qatar Toy Festival returns bigger and better, bringing fun for the whole family    

The second edition of the Qatar Toy Festival kicked off yesterday (July 15) at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, welcoming a large number of children and their families in Qatar and neighboring GCC countries.The event, organised by Visit Qatar, promises to be a crowd-pleaser, offering a wide range of live shows, exclusive activations, and educational entertainment for children and adults until August 14."We're thrilled to bring back the Qatar Toy Festival, and this year, it's bigger and better than ever,” Visit Qatar spokesperson Deena al-Jefairi told reporters on the sidelines of the event’s opening. She said they’ve added new zones, new brands, and more exciting activities for visitors to enjoy.This year's festival boasts an expanded footprint, occupying more than 17,000 sqm of indoor space, featuring 10 themed zones. Three new zones – Anime, Movie Land, and Retail – join the returning favourites: Preschool, Girls, Boys, Family, Stage, F&B, and Theming Area.A visitor said an anime activation would be a perfect fit for the festival, highlighting the increasing popularity of anime and cartoons in Qatar. This, he pointed out, led to a growing community of artists, cosplayers, and passionate fans eager to celebrate their shared love of the genre.The festival witnessed the participation of more than 50 international brands, including beloved favourites like Barbie and Naruto, alongside newcomers such as Mr Bean and Barney.AL-Jefairi said the festival’s stage will host a total of 19 live shows, featuring concerts, musical performances, dance shows, parades, and live mascot appearances. One of the highlights of the event includes the participation of popular influencers, including Rasha Rizg, the Adnaan family, the Tarfaan family, Fawzi Muzi, Blippi, and Masaka Kidz, who will engage audiences with their unique style and energy.She said the festival aims to create an unforgettable experience for families, offering a chance for children to engage with their favourite characters, participate in interactive activities, and create lasting memories.Al-Jefairi added that the Qatar Toy Festival forms part of Visit Qatar’s broader initiative, "Summer in Qatar”, which provides a diverse range of activities across amusement parks, beaches, and indoor entertainment spaces."We have something for everyone, and we want people from the GCC and beyond to know they are welcome to come and enjoy,” al-Jefairi stressed.With packages available to cater to visitors seeking a complete summer experience, she said Qatar Tourism continues to invest in innovative and sustainable cooling technologies for both indoor and outdoor activities.Al-Jefairi sees this unique festival becoming a mainstay on the Qatar Tourism Calendar, saying: "We want to keep this event going. Each year, we will strive to bring even more international brands, more exciting activities, and reach audiences from across the region and beyond”.The festival is open from Sunday to Wednesday between 2pm and 10pm, and from Thursday to Saturday between 2pm and 11pm. Tickets can be purchased online at Q-Tickets.com, virginmegastore.com, or in person at the DECC entry gates.