Organised by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and its partners, the festival promises a treat for families and children who are spending the holidays in the country.
“We are delighted to invite both our visitors and families returning to Qatar before the start of the school year to capture joy with us at this year’s Eid al-Adha celebrations,” QTA's tourism events and festivals director Mashal Shahbik said in a statement.
The first day of Eid saw a large turnout of spectators at different locations such as shopping malls, cultural landmarks, sports organisations and tourist destinations, among others.
Eid venues also include Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, Al Samariyah Equestrian Centre, Aqua Park, Aspire Zone, The Pearl - Qatar, Katara – the Cultural Village, Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), Souq Waqif, Dahl Al Hamam Park, and Al Dossari Zoo and Game Reserve.
Like the Qatar Summer Festival and Eid al-Fitr festivals this year, the Eid al-Adha events are also attracting many visitors from neighbouring GCC countries, especially Saudi Arabia.
“We are particularly excited by our renewed partnership with Baraem TV to bring the children’s musical ‘Fafa Saves the Forest’ to QNCC’s main theatre," Shahbik noted. “Over the past few weeks, ticket sales around the region have shown it to be a major attraction for families from across the GCC.”
The official also thanked QTA partners for "enriching Qatar's offerings throughout the celebrations, whether with shows in malls, outdoor events and water sports, or cultural activities".
Exclusive family entertainment shows in malls, which run until September 18, are expected to enthrall a large number of visitors from 4pm to 9.30pm.
Yesterday, City Center Doha treated hundreds of spectators, mostly families, with shows like Tarzan and football juggling, which engaged children in trying some juggling and balancing acts.
The mall has set up dedicated seats for children closer to the stage to give them a clear view of the performances while allotting time for "meet and greet" sessions with the performers.
At Souq Waqif, several outdoor offerings such as train, water and pony rides, as well as monkey and snake exhibitions, entertained both children and adults yesterday.
The Eid extravaganza yesterday was witnessed at Katara with the staging of ‘Sinbad the Sailor', which it described as a spectacular show at the esplanade followed by a dazzling fireworks display.
The show, presented with stunning performances using cutting-edge lighting and sound technology, was enjoyed by a large number of visitors.
“We continue to offer local and foreign audiences the best recreational and cultural programmes and experiences,” Katara general manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti said in a statement.
“We have selected Sinbad, or Al-Sindibad al-Bahry, to narrate to the visiting children and their families a story they’ve always loved to read about or were waiting to see it displayed to them one day,” he added.
Katara also distributed ‘Eidyah’ gifts to children as part of the Eid festivity during the first and second shows.
Meanwhile, multicultural and Qatari traditional dance performances organised by the ministry of culture and sports marked the three-day Eid celebrations at Dahl Al Hamam Park.