Eight things to do in Qatar this weekend (Sept. 14-17)

For those tired of navigating the crowds at Katara, Souq Waqif and other major hotspots around town, there are some Eid activities off the beaten path that you may want check out.

From indoor and outdoor Eid festivities such as museum tours, horseback riding and paragliding to an offroading event in Sealine, here are our picks for what to do this weekend.

Indoor Eid fun

Sheikh Faisal Museum tours

Displaying ancient artifacts of Islamic art, Qatar heritage, vehicles, coins and currency, this museum will offer tours to visitors until Sept. 18, from 10am to 6pm.

Children under eight years old are free, while under 18s cost QR10. Adults will be charged QR15 for entry. The museum has asked visitors to leave their belongings in their cars, as they will not be permitted inside.

Directions can be found here.

Malls

Under the theme “Capture Joy,” the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) has organized a week of shows at several malls around town. These include Hyatt Plaza, City Center, Ezdan, Lagoona, Al Khor and Dar Al Salam malls.

The live entertainment at these venues includes Tarzan (City Center), Beauty & The Beast (Dar Al Salam), Flying Superkids (Al Khor Mall), Alvin and the Chipmunks (Ezdan Mall), Pirates from the Caribbean (Lagoona Mall) and Sinbad the Sailor (performed in Arabic at Hyatt Plaza).

In addition to stage shows, malls are hosting indoor parades and popular children’s characters. The celebrations run from 4pm to 9:30pm through the weekend . A full schedule can be found here.

Horseback riding

Stagecoach and Arabian horse rides are being offered at the Al Samriya Equestrian Academy in Al Shahaniya during Eid.

The sessions run from 9am to 6pm until Sept. 18. Coach rides cost QR50 per person, and horse rides are QR100.

Fafa saves the forest

The Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) near Education City will continue hosting Fafa Saves the Forest until Saturday, Sept. 17.

The family show follows the adventures of friends who try to rebuild their forest after a storm.

Tickets cost from QR150 to QR490/person and can be bought at Virgin Megastores or online.

Outdoor Eid Festivities

The Pearl-Qatar

Catch the last fun family shows at The Pearl tonight from 6pm to 9:45pm.

Pearl-Qatar Eid Al Adha entertainment schedule

The performances will include characters from Frozen, Aladdin and the Jungle Book. All are running in the Porto Arabia area of the island.

More details can be found here. For more Eid events, see our guide.

Paragliding

The Qatar Air Sports Committee is organizing paragliding tours of the coast near Sealine until Sept. 18.

Tours will take place between 3:30pm and 6:30pm daily (weather permitting) and cost QR250 per person. Those taking part must be 18 years or older.

Here is the location.

Al Dosari Zoo

This private animal reserve in Al Shahaniya is home to ostriches, deer, camels, and several other types of animals that children would delight in seeing (though some have expressed concerns about their treatment).

Celebrate this Eid with your family amongst beautiful animals at the Al Dosari Zoo. #CaptureJoy pic.twitter.com/BQjIb9vTWA

— Visit Qatar (@VisitQatar) September 10, 2016

During Eid, it offers free tours and is open from 7am to sunset. According to Rush360, a few shops there sell snacks, and barbecues are allowed onsite.

To get there from Dukhan Road, take the Camel Track exit and turn right at Shahaniya Roundabout. Then drive until you see the Dosari zoo.

Qatar Offroaders recruitment drive

Qatar Offroaders, which teaches off-road driving skills and plans regular trips into the desert, is holding a recruitment drive for new members on Friday, Sept. 16 at 8am near Sealine beach.