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 !
