Ramadan is almost over and Eid ul Fitr is just around the corner. While a lot of people will be traveling during the break, a lot of us will be staying back to celebrate Eid in Doha.

The first day of Eid ul Fitr is expected to fall on Friday, July 17th, but could also fall on Saturday, July 18th. There will be no Taraweeh prayers on Thursday if Eid falls on Friday.

Eid Holidays

Qatar has announced that government employees will receive a 11-day holiday on the occasion of Eid ul Fitr this year. Starting from July 15 till July 25. Employees will have to report for duty on July 26.

Details about the break for the private sector have not been announced amid speculation that they would be two to three days. In most cases, the company internally decides the holiday period.

Banks, exchange houses and insurance companies will be closed for three days from July 19 to 22.

Qatar Living office will be closed July 16-20 and will reopen again on Tuesday, July 21st.

Eid Prayer

Eid prayers will held in 316 mosques and Eidgahs (open prayer spaces) around Qatar. Ministry of Awqaf has advised worshipper to arrive to early for prayer to avoid rushing and causing congestion in the last minutes.

Msheireb Eid Prayer Ground will also be open to the public for Eid prayers.

Eid prayer will be held 15 minutes following sunrise. Exact prayer timing - 5:08 am

Eid ul Fitr Festival in Qatar (organized by Qatar Tourism Authority)

The Eid al-Fitr celebration in Qatar this year will showcase daily family entertainment shows expected to attract a huge number of visitors locally and from other GCC countries.

Among the entertainment events are mime shows, The Rene Magritte, The Bubble Jo, and the Magic Paper Artist. The traditional Qatari Ardah performances will also be seen throughout the country at malls starting at 4pm and continuing until 10pm.

The shows will rotate between Hyatt Plaza, City Center Doha, Ezdan Mall, Lagoona Mall, Al Khor Mall, and Dar Al Salam Mall.

QTA is also organising exclusive shows at each of the malls, including Peter Pan (City Center Doha), Circus Canada (Al Khor Mall), Jungle Book (Lagoona Mall), Pinocchio (Hyatt Plaza), The Little Prince (Dar Al Salam Mall) and Meet the Nicktoons (Ezdan Mall).

Festival highlights include family-friendly musical "Elmo Makes Music" produced by the makers of the popular Sesame Street programme.

The show will be held from July 18 to 22 at Qatar National Convention Centre, with tickets selling at Virgin Megastores' website and Q-tickets.com.

Also look out for ticket giveaways from Qatar Living

CLICK HERE for more info on QTA Eid Celebrations in Qatar.

Activities at Katara Cultural Village (Fireworks included)

Katara Cultural Village will also be hosting several activities for four days, starting on the first day of Eid ul Fitr.

Activities start with giveaways for children from 7pm to 7.30pm. A "Land of Inventions" performance will be conducted in Arabic from 7:30 to 7.55pm and 9:30 to 9.55pm. It will also be conducted in English from 8:30 to 8.55pm.

There will also be fireworks every night for four days starting at 10pm.

Eid Al Fitr 2015 celebration for workers

Ministry of Interior in association with Community Policing Department will be organizing 'Eid Al Fitr Celebrations 2015' for the workers, employees and their families at 'Barwa Workers Recreation Complex' at Al Khor industrial area on the first and second days of Eid ul Fitr.

There will also be a six nation cricket tournament at Cricket stadium of the Asian Town (near Grand Mall) at Doha industrial area from 4 pm – 9 pm.

The cultural performance teams from Indian and Nepalese communities in Qatar and different orchestra teams will perform in Al Khor program.

The finals of the Ramadan Championship organized by the Ministry of Interior for companies and communities in cricket, football, volleyball and basketball also will be held on first and second days of Eid.

Meanwhile the Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi, Nepalese and Qatari teams will compete in the Cricket Tourney at cricket stadium in the Asian Town (Close to Grand Mall) at Doha Industrial Area from 3 pm – 10 pm.

Entry to all these events are free.

The organizers have arranged many gifts for the participants through raffle draw and there are special area for families.

Eid celebrations at Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum

FBQ Museum is offering family oriented museum tours this Eid with experienced guides telling you all the stories around different aspects of their diverse collection.

You can also choose from a range of activities and workshops to get yourself and your kids involved. (GO HERE for more details)

Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif is organizing a six-day festival starting from July 18 to 23. A huge airconditioned tent has been setup in Al-Ahmed Square where activities for children will be held from 10am to 4pm.

Some of the activities include face painting, air hockey, sumo wrestling, train rides and an F1 simulator game.

What are your plans for this Eid ul Fitr?

Photo Credit: Ameer Abdul Razak