Ramadan 2016 has come to an end and Qatar is already prepared to celebrate Eid ul Fitr. While a lot of people will be traveling during the break, some of us will be staying back to celebrate Eid in Doha.

The first day of Eid ul Fitr will be tomorrow, July 6th. There will be no Taraweeh prayers tonight.

Eid Holidays

Qatar has announced that government employees will receive a 9-day holiday on the occasion of Eid ul Fitr this year. Starting from July 3. Employees will have to report for duty on July 12.

Details about the break for the private sector have not been announced officially, but they could be at least two to three days. In most cases, the company internally decides the holiday period.

Banks, exchange houses and insurance companies will be closed for 5 days from July 6 to 10 (Wednesday to Sunday). Reopens on Monday, July 11, according to Qatar Central Bank.

Qatar Living office will be closed till July 9 and will reopen again on Sunday, July 10.

Eid Prayer

Eid prayers will held in 298 mosques and Eidgahs (open prayer spaces) around Qatar. Ministry of Awqaf has advised worshippers to arrive early for prayer to avoid rushing and causing congestion in the final minutes.

Eid prayer will be held 15 minutes following sunrise. Exact prayer timing - 5:03 am

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

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.

The QTA announced 15 locations where Eid Al-Fitr 2016 Festival will take place over five days, beginning on the first day of Eid.

QTA with several partners, including Qatar Living, will offer entertainment activities and shows at venues across the country, including at malls, beaches and the Qatar National Theatre. Activities will vary from plays for children, paragliding, horse riding and museum tours.

Activities at shopping malls will be held between 5pm to 10pm including Drummers Parade, Fritters, Hungry Chefs, Walkabout Birds, Koka Stilt Walkers and Live Statue.

The main attraction in the malls this year will be the Emojoy activitation spearheaded by the Qatar Living crew. Learn how you can be a part of #EMOJOY here.

Special shows will be Alice in Wonderland (City Centre), Sleeping Beauty (Dar Al Salam), The Little Mermaid (Ezdan Mall), Snow White (Lagoona Mall), IftahYaSimsim (Hyatt Plaza) and Dora's Friendship Fiesta (Al Khor Mall).

While several other shows such as Doctor Bubble, Equilibrium on the Reels, Comedy Show, Tanoura Performance, Ardha Traditional Dance, Oriental Dabke and Kids Magician will rotate between the malls. Entrance to all events at malls are free.

Eid shows & fun activities lined up

A variety of shows, including live entertainment at Katara Cultural Village, will start at 7pm and culminate in a firework spectacle at 11.15pm.

A theatrical performance Tar Al Wazir — an Arabic comedy about social issues in Qatar and the GCC — will be held between 6.30pm and 9.30pm at Qatar National Theatre.

Tickets are priced from QR50 to QR500.

Children's play, The Hunter and the Pirates, will be staged at Al Rayyan Theatre in Souq Waqif between 4.30pm and 6.30pm.

Tickets for the play are priced from QR30 to QR300.

Horse riding at Al Samriya Equestrian Academy will be held from 8.30am to 6pm and tickets for stagecoach ride is priced at QR50.

An Arabian horse tour will cost QR100.

More excitement is promised by Qatar Air Sports Committee at the Sealine beach for people who like aerial paragliding and a tour will cost QR250.

Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum will be offering free tours.

Entertainment options will be available at Aqua Park, Al Dosari Zoo and Game Reserve, the Pearl-Qatar and Aspire Zone Foundation.

For more info about Eid events, check out our Eid ul Fitr events guide.

Photo Credit: Ameer Abdul Razak