Qatar Tourism unveils 2024 calendar with over 80 events
Qatar, over the past few years, have done a lot to transform itself into a tourist-friendly destination. The country’s hard work paid off handsomely, with millions of travellers visiting the country in the last few years.
The excitement is set to continue in the new year as well. Qatar Tourism, on Sunday, launched its full-year calendar for 2024, showcasing more than 80 unique events.
From works of art displayed exclusively at New York’s The Met, to the world’s largest technology conference coming to the region for the first time, Qatar will see an exquisite line up of cultural events, sporting championships, thought-provoking summits, e-mobility panels, and much more in 2024.
“Qatar Tourism is delighted to announce an ensemble of over 80 events scheduled throughout 2024. With Qatar quickly rising as a globally recognised destination, we take great pride in accommodating visitors from around the world and showcasing our rich Qatari culture and heritage. We wish everyone a prosperous and exciting year ahead and look forward to hosting events that cater to everyone’s interests,” said Qatar Tourism’s Chief Marketing and Promotion Officer Eng Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi.
Here are some of the best events that will come to Qatar next year.
HEADLINE EVENTS
AFC Asian Cup
The 18th AFC Asian Cup — featuring 24 teams — will be hosted from January 12 to February 10, 2024, in nine stadiums. The AFC Asian Cup attests to Qatar’s ongoing sporting legacy as one of the largest sporting events of the year. The tournament is set to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors during its month-long run, with attractions surrounding the stadiums for visitors to enjoy, complementing the matches.
Doha Expo
The region’s first international horticultural exhibition, Doha Expo runs until March 28, 2024, bringing visitors a platform to engage with local and international agricultural organisations. The theme, ‘Green Desert, Better Environment,’ has presenters emphasising solutions to a more sustainable and technological agricultural landscape. Visitors can also immerse themselves in virtual reality, participate in innovative workshops, and explore the botanic garden.
Shop Qatar 2024
Shop Qatar, which will kick off the new year, will run from January 1 to 27. It will feature incredible discounts in stores, raffle draws, and entertainment in 13 different malls. The eighth edition of Shop Qatar will see prizes including four luxury cars, exciting giveaways and cash prizes of varying amounts.
Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition 2024
Celebrating 20 years of luxury and opulence, the DJWE will see special celebratory elements including exclusive designer collaborations and the finest jewellery reveals. For the past two decades, DJWE has brought together leading local, regional, and international brands all under one roof. Running from February 5 to 11, DJWE will be held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center.
Qatar International Food Festival 2024
The country’s biggest culinary celebration — Qatar International Food Festival 2024 — will run from February 7 to 17 with a diverse selection of food and beverages. At this festival, visitors can enjoy sharing their own culture and understand others’ through gastronomy.
Web Summit
Qatar will host the world’s largest technology conference — Web Summit —from February 26 to 29. It is the first time the conference is being hosted in the MENA region. Qatar is set to host the conference over the next five editions as well. Web Summit Qatar will create new opportunities for thousands of international investors and industry leaders to connect, network, and create a future that is driven by innovation.
SPORTS
Deepening its sporting legacy and leveraging its investments in state-of-the-art facilities, Qatar will present several sports events in 2024.
World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024
The World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024 will run from February 2 to 18 at different venues, including the Aspire Dome, Old Doha Port, and Hamad Aquatic Centre. A total of 2,600 top athletes from over 190 countries are expected to compete for 75 medal events. They will also be able to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Competitions will be held in swimming (open water and artistic), diving, high diving, and water polo.
Ooredoo Doha Marathon 2024
The renowned Ooredoo Doha Marathon 2024 will return on February 16 with five different distances and timings to sign up for. The event also promotes people of different abilities to compete in selected categories and up to 21 km. Proceeds from the race will be distributed to local Qatar charities.
Katara International Arabian Horse Festival
The Katara International Arabian Horse Festival will run from January 24 to February 4 and will showcase different purebred horses. Held under the patronage of HH The Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the event will celebrate Qatar’s culture and heritage. Visitors can indulge in an array of activities — from painting and sculpture art — to witnessing parades and light shows.
Qatar International Rally
The Qatar International Rally will run from February 1 to 3, with Qatar’s 13-time defending champion Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah participating once again. This tournament will be a great opportunity for motorsport fans to witness the sturdiness and thrill of competitive rallying.
Marmi Festival
Emphasising Qatar’s national bird, the Marmi Festival returns on January 1. Running until January 27, the falconry exhibition will take place at Sealine. The event will provide a platform for falcon hunters to honour Bedouin traditions.
Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix 2024
The Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix 2024 is scheduled towards the end of the year, from November 29 to December 1, at the Lusail International Circuit. The race will extend a festive atmosphere throughout the country with high-profile performances and events lined up alongside the thrilling races.
SUMMITS AND FORUMS
In addition to the Web Summit, Qatar will continue marking its position as a convenor of global thought leaders and a creator of forward-looking dialogue by hosting the Autonomous e-Mobility Forum for the first time and bringing back the Qatar Economic Forum.
Autonomous e-Mobility Forum
The Ministry of Transport will host the first-of-its-kind Autonomous e-Mobility Forum from April 30 to May 2. The event aims to serve as a platform to highlight the implementation of and recommendations for driverless e-Mobility, from a technological and policy-planning perspective. The event will welcome representatives from the government, media, industry, and academia.
4th Annual Qatar Economic Forum
The 4th annual Qatar Economic Forum, in partnership with Bloomberg, will be held from May 14 to 16. The forum will bring international leaders, businessmen, academics, and entrepreneurs together to present and discuss aspects pertinent to the global economy.
MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES
Qatar’s museums not only house striking collections, but their very creation and external facade are works of art, conceptualised by renowned artists. In 2024, visitors will step into exclusive exhibitions held in Qatar and the region for the very first time.
National Museum of Qatar
The National Museum of Qatar will hosting the exhibition ‘The Shape of time: Art and Ancestors of Oceania from the Metropolitan Museum of Art,’ open until January 15. The exhibition currently displays 130 pieces that are otherwise only exhibited at The Met, New York, making it a rare opportunity for art enthusiasts to witness such works in the region.
Qatar Museums Gallery
Qatar Museums Gallery is hosting ‘Dan Flavin | Donald Judd: Doha’ until February 24. The event is organised by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Qatar Museums, allowing visitors to enjoy the most influential figures of minimalistic art.
Museum of Islamic Art
Museum of Islamic Art is running the ‘Welcome to Isfahan’ exhibition until January 30. This exhibit features a collection to reflect the region of Isfahan, Iran, from the era of the Safavid Empire. Visitors will find themselves transported to historic times to appreciate the craftsmanship and workings of one of the most important empires in Islamic history.
The ‘Shattered’ exhibition is also running at the Museum of Islamic Art until May 7, depicting works by the Turkish artist Feleksan Onar. His works are on the recent earthquakes in Southeast Turkey and Northern Syria.
Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art
Mathaf is displaying several exhibitions until March 5 to satiate one’s curiosity of arts and culture. Some of these include ‘Mehdi Moutashar: Introspection as Resistance,’ ‘Distilled Lessons: Abstraction in Arab Modernism,’ ‘Cities Under Quarantine: The Mailbox Project,’ and ‘De/Constructed Meanings.’
SPECIAL OCCASIONS
With Ramadan starting in mid-March, Qatar will have plenty of festivities planned to allow families to spend time with their loved ones during the Holy Month. Restaurants and cafes are set to operate late into the night, with exclusive suhoor and iftar packages, to enhance the fasting experience.
During Eid, Qatar is known to celebrate with beautiful displays of fireworks, lighting, retail offers, and family-friendly entertainment.
In the new year, Qatar is set to welcome residents and visitors from across the globe to experience its cultural festivities, thrilling sports tournaments, exclusive art exhibitions, and more.
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