Joelyn Baluyut
DOHA
As Qatar prepares to welcome the New Year, residents and visitors can look forward to a thrilling start to 2025, with a series of festivals, exhibitions, and shopping extravaganzas set to take place over the first two months.
From January to February, the city will host a variety of exciting events that will bring the community together and provide unforgettable experiences.
According to Visit Qatar, the annual Shop Qatar festival is set to return from January 1 to February 1, 2025.
Recognised as Qatar’s largest shopping festival, Shop Qatar will see malls across the country bustling with vibrant activities, entertainment, unbeatable discounts, and an array of prizes. Visitors can expect an exciting mix of children and family-friendly events, live performances, and competitions.
In addition to the fun activities, shoppers will have the opportunity to snag incredible discounts throughout January. Malls will be offering a variety of promotions, with some lucky customers walking away with grand prizes, such as brand-new cars. Approximately 18 malls will be taking part in this year’s edition.
Mid-January will see the return of the Qatar Kite Festival at the Old Doha Port. Running from January 16 to 18, this festival is a vibrant celebration of culture and creativity. Doha skylines will be filled with a colourful display of kites, as international kite experts showcase their flying creations.
Attendees can join in on the action, with opportunities for kite building, decoration, and flying lessons. The festival will feature day and night kite flying sessions, along with family-friendly activities, roaming shows, parades, musical performances, and live shows on the main stage.
At the end of January, the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) will take place from January 30 to February 5 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre. This prestigious event, now in its 21st edition, is one of the most anticipated showcases of luxury jewellery and watches in the region.
Over 30,000 visitors from more than 175 countries are expected to attend, including top designers, global influencers, and celebrities. With more than 500 brands participating, attendees will have the opportunity to explore exquisite jewellery collections, attend industry talks, and experience curated retail displays.
Finally, food lovers will be delighted to know that the Qatar International Food Festival will return from February 12 to 22 at The Hotel Park. Now in its 13th year, the festival will treat visitors to an unforgettable culinary experience, with over 100 food and drink kiosks offering a wide array of world-class dishes. The festival will also feature nightly paramotor fireworks, live entertainment, cooking theatres, and interactive workshops.
The festival will be open from 2pm to 11pm on weekdays and from 2pm to 1am on weekends, making it an ideal spot for family entertainment.