Five things to do in Qatar this weekend (Dec. 28 – 31)

Happy New Year. Pixabay

From celebrating New Year’s to checking out a unique festival at the Pearl-Qatar to watching movies in the park, there’s lots going on around town this weekend.

New Year’s events

Qatar doesn’t officially celebrate New Year’s, so Sunday will still be a workday. That said, several hotels are organizing events on Saturday to ring in 2017, including parties, brunches, dinners and family-themed events.

The celebrations will take place across town, including at the Intercontinental Doha the City, Radisson Blu Hotel, Marriott Marquis by City Center and more.

Box Festival Doha

A festival that features a first-time concept in Qatar in which shipping containers are stripped and refitted to create “box shops” is being held at the Pearl’s Qanat Quartier.

Box Festival Doha The Pearl-Qatar / Facebook

Dozens of local vendors and stores made of boxes are selling a mix of local and international fashion, art and food. A 1,200 square meter children’s play area is also open.

The festival will run from 10am to 10pm daily until Jan. 1, 2017. On Friday, the festival begins at 2pm and runs until 10pm.

Cinema in the park

Cinema at Dahl Al Hammam park Baladiya

A new open-air cinema screening children’s movies was installed by authorities at the park recently.

Movie screenings will take place at 7pm and 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays. If all goes well with this pilot project, other open-air cinemas will be rolled out at parks across Qatar.

Chess tournament

Watch some of the best chess players in the country compete at the Rapid & Blitz Championships organized by FIDE World Chess, Qatar Chess Association and Qatar Olympic Committee at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiya Arena.

Matches are scheduled to be held until Friday, Dec. 30. The final rounds of the Rapid championship (rounds 11 to 15) will take place starting today at 3pm. The Blitz championship will be held on both Thursday and Friday, also starting at 3pm.

The award ceremony will be held at 7:30pm on Friday, Dec. 30. For results of past rounds, pairings, and more information

Arabic calligraphy workshop

A beginner’s Arabic calligraphy workshop for children aged between 12 and 15 years old will be held this weekend until Saturday, Dec. 31.