The Entertainment City at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) is all set to welcome visitors with a wide range of indoor activities, games, and live performances as the month-long Qatar Summer Festival gets underway today.
The opening of the facility this evening marks the start of the month-long Qatar Summer Festival (QSF) 2016, one of the major tourism events organised by the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) from August 1 to 31.
Speaking at a press preview yesterday, QTA Festivals and Tourism Events director Mashal Shahbik told reporters that the Entertainment City featured new activities, fun-filled and interactive games for all ages, and a 26-stall food court that would serve a variety of international cuisines.
“We always want to bring something new to attract and drive in more people to the festival every year,” she said.
At the Giant Games Zone, Shahbik noted that visitors would have the opportunity to play some popular mobile applications such the Angry Bird in “real life”.
Besides thrill rides such as the Crazy Caterpillar and Crazy Wave, the Go Karting zone is also ready to give young race enthusiasts a chance to drive and experience exciting rides for a number of laps at a dedicated track.
For the first time, the venue has set up inflatable pools to treat young children with water rides.
QTA has also put up a special karaoke booth for those who want to showcase their singing talent at least for 30 minutes.
Another new activation at the Entertainment City this year is an initiative from Qatar Foundation, which encourages visitors to read a story from start to finish as they pass through a maze-like booth.
As part of the “National Reading Campaign”, the activity aims to promote a passion for reading.
A dedicated “Colour your Summer” zone for children has also been set up for various art and drawing activities.
Gamers will also enjoy playing virtual reality games at the Tech Games zone, a unique indoor entertainment offering.
To promote Qatar’s rich cultural heritage, Shahbik said the Entertainment Stage at the main QSF venue this year will be featuring multicultural shows and performances daily that will enthral local and foreign visitors.
She stressed that they reduced the ticket prices for the rides and games compared with rates last year.
The QTA official said visitors need to pay QR15 to enter the hall but the amount is consumable, giving them free tokens for selected games. A swipe card will be used to pay for the charges.
“One of the purposes in using this system is to figure out the real number of people who are visiting the Entertainment City. Children below two years are free to enter,” she added.
The venue offers an all-access bracelet known as VIP entry ticket that costs QR120. It entitles a person unlimited access to rides and games from 1pm to 11pm, Sunday to Thursday except Friday where operation extends until midnight.
With a bigger venue this year, Shahbik said they expect the number of visitors at the Entertainment City to increase compared to the 2015 figures.
Residents and visitors will also have a chance to watch the fireworks display at the Doha Corniche today and on August 31 at 9pm as part of the QSF.
The annual celebration features shopping promotions at participating malls across Qatar (Lagoona, Landmark, Gulf Mall, Ezdan, Al Khor Mall, Hyatt Plaza, City Center and Dar Al Salam) and the Pearl-Qatar. Some QR2mn worth of prizes will be given away on weekly draws.
QTA is also organising a Doha Comedy Festival, led by famous comedians in the region, at Qatar National Convention Centre from August 18 to 20. It has also invited popular social media influencers to play at a football match titled “Street Madness” on August 12 at the Al  Gharaffa Sports Club.