With a few more weeks left to the summer holidays, Doha residents can take part in a plethora of indoor and outdoor activities as showcased by Qatar Calendar’s latest edition (qatarcalendar.com). With football tournaments, summer programs for the little ones and the opening of the much-anticipated Lusail Stadium, a case of rising football fever can be detected this month. In addition, there are a host of art exhibitions and educational programs to carry through the rest of the season. 

Sports  

QNB Stars League 

August 1 – September 14 

Kicking off at the start of August, the QNB Stars League will see the participation of 12 clubs competing for the championship, with matches running across some of Qatar’s most prominent stadiums including Khalifa International Stadium, Education City Stadium and the soon-to-open Lusail Stadium. The event stands out as the most significant tournament managed by Qatar Stars League (QSL). Tickets can be purchased at tickets.qsl.qa 

Lusail Stadium, inaugural match 

August 11 

The iconic 80,000-seat stadium is set to open later this month and will host an inaugural game between local rival clubs, Al Arabi and Al Rayyan. With a façade inspired by vessels and art pieces found in the Middle East over centuries, the stadium can be conveniently accessed by the Doha Metro and is set to welcome thousands of fans later this year at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM final.  

Al Shaqab’s Summer Equestrian Program 

Ending August 11 

Meeting the needs of diverse age groups and preferences, Al Shaqab continues its offering with a number of summer programs as part of its riding academy. For beginners and experienced riders alike, keen participants can find a range of classes including group or private adult classes, ladies-only classes, children and youth programs, as well as special needs classes.  

PSG Summer Program 

Ending August 18 

As one of the most reputable football schools in Qatar, Paris Saint-German (PSG) Academy continues its summer program for little ones with a big love for the beautiful game. PSG Academy is led by French football specialists who have developed a world-class football program, leveraging the best global training methods.  

AAMeghessib’s Back-2-Back 

August 5 - 26 

Created by players for players, the eSports tournament on PlayStation 5 sees a two-player format competition at the Red Bull Arena Leipzig Stadium. Qualifier matches will take place across numerous locations in Doha and participants can register via AAMeghessib's Back-2-Back 2022 | Red Bull.  

Arts 

Abeer Al-Tamimi: Beyond the Rules 

Ending September 27 

This solo exhibition at Fire Station explores the nature of human interactions, behaviours and emotions. The artist, Abeer Al-Tamimi, takes a closer look at how culture shapes individual perception in a series of artworks which feature oil on canvas.   

Artists Gathering 

Ending December 31 

Taking place every Saturday to year-end at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, this free event seeks to build closer community ties with artists. The gathering will allow people to meet artists in the community and get to know their works, discuss important world topics, watch artists create paintings live, and find out the latest happenings in the local arts scene.  

For more information on upcoming events, visit Qatarcalendar.com and follow @qatarcalendar on Facebook and Instagram. 

Bonus! Discover the Whale Sharks of Qatar 

Home to one of the world’s largest congregations of whale sharks in the world, Qatar offers an incredible excursion to get close to these magnificent creatures from aboard a catamaran. With the season ripe for viewing this congregation, visitors can book a tour via Discover Qatar and explore various itineraries offered up until August 27.  

Exciting Summer Deals in Qatar 

For further inspiration, travellers from the region can still take advantage of exciting summer holiday promo packages launched by Qatar Airways. Packages include flight tickets, hotel stays and tickets to one-of-a-kind experiences. Packages can be found on the Qatar Airways page https://www.qatarairwaysholidays.com/ae-en/offers/qatar-holiday-deals/ 

Visitors can also curate their own itineraries and choose from the many stay packages and exclusive daytrips tours suitable for the summer season, as highlighted on the Visit Qatar website .https://www.visitqatar.qa/intl-en/plan-your-trip/travel-deals-offers 

Education 

Creative Space Summer Camp, HBKU 

Ending August 11 

Back for another year, the Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), offers its interactive and highly engaging computing learning experience to primary and middle school students. The two-week summer camp introduces the creative process behind computational coding and design.   

Summer in the City, Education City 

Ending August 13 

Summer in the City offers ways to beat the heat with swimming classes tailored to different age groups, as well as a range of sports and activities fit for both children and adults. Residents can browse the app to select one of the ongoing programs such as the Kids Summer Club, Summer Cooking Class, or Group Performance Class.  

7th Dates Festival 

Ending August 10 

The 7th Local Dates Festival features a large variety of dates from over 80 local farms. A staple fruit in the region and a welcomed gift for all occasions, you can enjoy the festival’s diverse date collection.