It’s unusual for Lunar New Year and Ramadan to coincide, since both calendars are lunar but start from different cycles. This means February 2026 will be a “double lunar month”, rich with moon-themed cultural and spiritual significance. 🌕
I have been visiting food festivals in Qatar for many years now. I still remember the very beginning, when it was just a small event near an exhibition center. Over time, I watched it grow, year by year. My personal favorites were always the editions held at MIA Park — open space, greenery, sea breeze, and room to breathe. Those festivals felt relaxed, welcoming, and truly enjoyable for families.
Unfortunately, this year’s festival was not our favorite — to put it mildly.
The location was near a stadium, surrounded by concrete, with no trees and no grassy areas where children could run freely. It took place in January, when the weather can be unexpectedly cold, which already made the experience less pleasant. But the most disturbing issue was the overcrowding.
The fenced area designated for the festival was simply not large enough for the number of visitors. Moving around was extremely difficult. Exploring the stalls, browsing freely, or just enjoying the atmosphere felt almost impossible. Dear readers, as in previous years, I would have loved to share a rich festival experience — but this time, it was hard even to walk around, let alone explore.
When I saw the crowd in front of a Thai restaurant, I genuinely wondered how people could wait that long for a single dish. Then I noticed a café with an equally impressive line. However, the longest queue of all was in front of the ladies’ toilets — with a minimum waiting time of half an hour.
I honestly don’t know whether the organizers considered that such facilities are not optional extras. These are urgent necessities, especially at a food festival, and certainly not something people should have to wait 30 minutes for.
We quickly bought some street food from Polka — mainly because there was no queue — and decided to escape to the metro. Ironically, even the metro toilets were overcrowded, with a waiting time of 10–15 minutes. At that point, the best solution seemed obvious: we went home.
The festival may have offered beautiful programs, fireworks, drone shows, and wonderful gastronomic adventures. But when basic needs are not properly provided — space to move and sufficient toilets — the overall experience becomes stressful rather than enjoyable.
And that is a real pity.
A festival should be a celebration, not an endurance test !
I expected to see a lot of jewelry, women, and luxury items. There were a few, but they were not the focus.
The real stars of the event were the amber rosaries.
The buyers were mostly men — locals and visitors from the Gulf. The rosaries were not expensive, priced between 12 and 55 QAR. People took their time choosing them: watching, touching, feeling the amber carefully before making a selection.
Horses, camels, and dhow (sail) boats sculpted in amber were also on display. However, the falcon — a powerful regional symbol — was by far the most common and popular amber decorative object at the fair.
It was a truly interesting experience. Amber is a mysterious kind of “stone,” and it is clearly appreciated and collected by many people in this region.
The Qatar Kite Festival 2026 returns this January, bringing colour, creativity, and outdoor fun. 🤩
— KidsLoveQatar (@KidsLoveQatarQA) January 15, 2026
🎟️ Free Entry
📍 Location: Old Doha Port
📅 When: 15 - 24 January 2026
⏰3pm to 10pm Weekdays
⏰10am to 10pm Weekends pic.twitter.com/QfkfmHxgQV
Heading to the Qatar International Food Festival?
— Doha Metro & Lusail Tram (@metrotram_qa) January 14, 2026
Hop on #DohaMetro! Ride to Ras Abu Aboud Station and enjoy a short stroll to the iconic 974 Stadium.
Doha Metro is your ticket to flavour! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/atLeNNxbJW
Statement by the Ministry of Interior in the light of regional developments.#MOIQatar pic.twitter.com/K2Iab7gUcW
— Ministry of Interior - Qatar (@MOI_QatarEn) January 14, 2026
Experience Beethoven’s piano concertos in the hands Rudolf Buchbinder, one of today’s foremost Beethoven interpreters, joins the Qatar Philharmonic to perform three towering works, the sparkling Concerto No. 2, the poetic Concerto No. 4, and the dramatic Concerto No. 3. pic.twitter.com/DUhxi0aFE7
— Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (@qatar_phil) January 13, 2026
For years, private tuition was illegal in Qatar. I don’t remember exactly when or how it all started, but it is now permitted again.
Private tuition had thrived in the past because there were no regulations. Not everyone was qualified to teach, and there were some issues, but then it was suddenly outlawed, which came as a real surprise.
Now, years later, private tutors can openly apply to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) in Qatar for a license.
The exact prerequisites are not entirely clear, but applicants must demonstrate academic knowledge, good conduct, and hold a valid residence visa.
Still, this feels far better than a complete ban.
