What's on in Doha (Qatar), Qatar through the year

Busy — school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

• Holiday

  Ramadan

  18 Feb – 19 MarClosures

  Offices work half days, cafes and malls close until sunset and Souq Waqif does its whole trade between iftar and two in the morning. Hotel restaurants stay open behind screens. Source ↗

Busy — Ramadan, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Ramadan (18 Feb – 19 Mar)

Peak crowds — Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr

• Holiday

  Eid al-Fitr

  20–23 MarRamadan & EidCrowdedClosures

  Four or five days off. Half the country flies out, the other half fills the corniche and the malls, and the hotels price for regional visitors coming the other way. Source ↗

Still on: Ramadan (18 Feb – 19 Mar)

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Eid al-Fitr (20–23 Mar)

Shoulder season — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Hazard

  Summer shamal dust

  15 May – 15 Aug · usuallyDust season

  The long north-westerly blows for days at a stretch in early summer, hazing the skyline and putting sand through every door seal. It also drops the humidity, which is the one mercy. Source ↗

Quiet — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

• Season

  Outdoor season closed

  1 Jun – 20 Sep · usuallyExtreme heatClosures

  Doha moves indoors: outdoor venues shut, the corniche is empty until well after dark and the walk from the car is the hard part of the day. Rates are at their lowest for the year.

Still on: Summer shamal dust (15 May – 15 Aug (usually))

Quiet — school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Summer shamal dust (15 May – 15 Aug (usually)), Outdoor season closed (1 Jun – 20 Sep (usually))

Quiet — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Summer shamal dust (15 May – 15 Aug (usually)), Outdoor season closed (1 Jun – 20 Sep (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Outdoor season closed (1 Jun – 20 Sep (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in October.

Peak crowds — Doha Film Festival, Qatar Grand Prix

• Festival

  Doha Film Festival

  19–27 NovCrowded

  The Doha Film Institute's week of screenings and the Ajyal youth jury, staged in the Cultural Village and downtown in late November as the outdoor season restarts. Source ↗

• Festival

  Qatar Grand Prix

  27–29 NovMotorsport weekendCrowdedBook early

  Three days of night racing at Lusail at the end of November, with the year's highest room rates and a concert programme attached. Book months out or stay away that weekend. Source ↗

Busy — Qatar National Day, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

• Holiday

  Qatar National Day

  18 DecNational holidayCrowdedClosures

  The 18 December holiday, with a parade on the corniche, fireworks and flags on every car. Roads along the bay close and the malls are unusable for the day. Source ↗

Still on: Doha Film Festival (19–27 Nov), Qatar Grand Prix (27–29 Nov)