The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is the biggest event Doha has ever seen, and it’s not just the football that will be keeping fans entertained.
The Supreme Committee, Qatar Museums, and other entities in the city have prepared tonnes of fun things to do in Doha during the World Cup, and we’ve rounded them up for you below.
Make sure you bookmark this page, as we’ll be updating it as more details are announced in the coming weeks and months.
Fun things to do in Doha during the World Cup: On the beach
974 Beach Club
Located near Stadium 974, 974 Beach Club will have live music, activities, and food and beverage options throughout the tournament, and will be able to accommodate up to 5,000 people across the 1.2 kilometre strip of sand at any one time.
Ticketed. Open Sun Nov 20-Tue Dec 20 9am-6pm. Near Stadium 974.
Al Sirdal Beach
Part of the West Bay North Beach development, Al Sirdal Beach will be a youth-oriented spot that will have five food and beverage outlets.
Open Sat Oct 15-Fri Mar 31, 2023 sunrise-sunset. West Bay North Beach.
B12 Beach Club
The team from the B12 Beach Club in Aqaba, Jordan, have opened a branch right here in Doha. Spanning 40,000 square metres, the beach club will be home to a number of outdoor eateries as well as an indoor restaurant with graffiti art from Qatari artists on the walls.
Open Sat Oct 15-Fri Mar 31, 2023. West Bay North Beach.
Qetai-Fan Beach Fest Powered by Unit-Y
Over on Qetaifan Island North, music fans will be able to catch live concerts at the Qetai-Fan Beach Fest Powered by Unit-Y. Alongside resident artists and concerts from international acts, there will be water activities, retail stores and more than 50 food and beverage outlets. You won’t have to miss a moment of the action, either, as the matches will be screened here, too.
Open Sun Nov 20-Sun Dec 18 10am-4am. Qetaifan Island North.
Fun things to do in Doha during the World Cup: Exhibitions
Art Mill Museum 2030
Three major new museums are set to open in Qatar over the next decade, including the Art Mill. This exhibition, held on both the site of the flour mill plant that will later welcome the new construction and the newly restored Al Najada Heritage House #15, will present the vision of the museum, including the architecture and signature garden. We were already excited about the museum for modern and contemporary art, but we think a visit to this exhibition will take it to the next level.
Mon Oct 24-Thu Mar 30. Qatar Flour Mill Warehouse and Al Najada Heritage House #15.
Baghdad: Eye’s Delight
The Museum of Islamic Art is one of the city’s best art galleries, and paying it a visit will be one of the best things to do in Doha during the World Cup. Having reopened in early October, a new exhibition will be opening here in late October. Baghdad: Eye’s Delight will celebrate the capital of Iraq as the most important and influential city ever created in the Islamic world, taking you on a tour from 750 CE up until the modern day while highlighting Baghdad’s role as a city of power, scholarship, and riches.
Wed Oct 26-Sat Feb 25, 2023. Museum of Islamic Art, Doha Corniche.
Experience Al Jazeera
Experience Al Jazeera will show the growth of the state-owned Al Jazeera Media Network over the past 25 years, going from a single TV channel to a global media phenomenon. Alongside exploring its founding values, creative processes and technologies used, there will also be a number of interactive exhibits, including a studio experience, and an immersive section making use of virtual and augmented reality.
Wed Oct 19-Mar 2023. Doha Fire Station, Wadi Al Sail.
Forever Valentino
One of the top things to do in Doha during the World Cup (in our opinion) is paying a visit to Forever Valentino at M7. The exhibition is set to transform the space into a dream-like image of the city of Rome, taking you through palazzos, squares, and courtyards, with Valentino’s creations displayed near sources of inspiration for both the founder Valentino Garavani and his successor Pierpaolo Piccioli. More than 200 Valentino Haute Couture pieces and pret-à-porter outfits will be going on display, including rarely seen ensembles designed for the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Jacqueline Kennedy and Zendaya.
QR100 (adults), free (kids 16 and under). Fri Oct 28-Sat Apr 1, 2023. M7, Msheireb Downtown Doha, m7.org.qa.
Labour of Love: Embroidering Palestinian History
On show as part of the Qatar-MENASA 2022 Year of Culture, Labour of Love: Embroidering Palestinian History will give you a glimpse into the history of tatreez embroidery. By taking you from tatreez as a personal practice made with love, to a national symbol, and finally to a product on the market, the exhibition will explore ideas around gender, labour, commodification, and class.
Wed Oct 12-Sat Jan 28, 2023. Open Sat-Thu 9am-7pm; Fri 1.30pm-7pm. QM Gallery Katara, Katara Cultural Village.
Lusail Museum: Tales of a Connected World
Another exhibition designed to introduce you to a new museum, you can find Lusail Museum: Tales of a Connected World at the Al Riwaq Gallery. The focus of the Lusail Museum will be Orientalist art, archaeological artefacts, and media from prehistoric times to the 21st century, and hopes to create a new way of looking at the world to understand who we are, where come from, and where we are going.
Mon Oct 24-Mar 2023. QM Gallery Al Riwaq, Museum of Islamic Art Park.
Majaz: Contemporary Art Qatar
Last year, the Fire Station unveiled its alumni residency programme, featuring 14 former Artist in Residents. And now these 14 alumni will be showing off new works created over the course of the six-month programme, alongside 25 other former Artists in Residence. While featuring many different disciplines, including painting, sculpture and new media, all of the pieces will highlight elements of storytelling by revealing each artists’ perspective on personal, cultural and global concepts.
Fri Sep 16-Sat Feb 25, 2023. Masrah Almaared, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Education City.
On the Move
If you know anything about the history of the region, you will know of the traditional bedouin culture. And this new exhibition, On the Move, will explore the lives of nomads across three distinct regions: the Central Sahara, Qatar, and Mongolia. Through a images, archival footage and a selection of objects, you will learn about how these groups have maintained social lives while producing complex and beautiful cultural forms in challenging environments. On the Move will be located at the National Museum of Qatar, another of the top things to do in Doha during the World Cup.
Thu Oct 27-Sat Jan 14, 2023. National Museum of Qatar.
One Tiger or Another
Through a contemporary video installation from Singaporean artist Ho Tzu Nyen, and 18th century paintings and artefacts relating to the legend of Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore, One Tiger or Another explores history as the product of both fact and fiction. As well as exploring the potential of art and media as a means of storytelling, the exhibition looks at the iconography of the tiger in relation to both South and Southeast Asian history.
QR50 (adults), free (kids 16 and under). Fri Sep 16-Sat Jan 21, 2023. Sat-Thu 9am-7pm; Fri 1.30pm-7pm. Education City, Al Rayyan, mathaf.org.qa (4402 8855).
Sophia Al-Maria: INVISIBLE LABORSdaydream therapy
As part of the Qatar-MENASA 2022 Year of Culture, Qatari-American artist Sophia Al-Maria will be putting together her first large-scale, multi-part museum exhibition in the Middle East. Through videos, soundscapes and installations, Al-Maria will encourage viewers to think about the importance of storytelling and reclaiming stories, as well as the Gulf’s relation to the surrounding regions.
Fri Sep 16-Sat Jan 21, 2023. Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Education City.
Taysir Batniji: No Condition is Permanent
Launching at the same time, Taysir Batniji’s exhibition No Condition is Permanent features work created between 1997 and the present day. While Batniji lived in France during this time, his artwork – which includes photography, drawing, videos, installations and performances – focuses on Palestine, and is presented “within a global context of social uncertainty and fragility of historical narratives”.
Fri Sep 16-Sat Jan 21, 2023. Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Education City.
World of Football
When the World Cup comes to Qatar in November, it will mark a number of firsts, including the first time the tournament. And the World of Football exhibition at 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum will celebrate the historic occasion, with an exhibition split over two halves. Football for All, All for Football will examine the universal and global appeal of football, while The Road to Doha will take you on a journey from the first FIFA World Cup matches in Uruguay in 1930, to the final at the Lusail Stadium on 18 December 2022. There will also be a final section, FIFA Making Memories, with objects and artefacts added to it following the World Cup. Add this to the top of your things to do in Doha during the World Cup list.
QR100 (adults), free (kids 16 and under). Open Sun Oct 2-Sat Apr 1. Sat-Thu 9am-7pm; Fri 1.30pm-7pm. Khalifa International Stadium, Aspire Zone, 321qosm.org.qa (4452 5200).
Fun things to do in Doha during the World Cup: Fan zones
Al Bidda Park
The main FIFA Fan Festival will be located at Al Bidda Park, and will be the place to catch all the action (outside of the stadiums, that is). Alongside screenings, there will be live performances and cultural activities, plus plenty of food and beverage options. Up to 40,000 fans will be able to head to Al Bidda Park daily throughout the tournament.
For our ultimate guide to fan zones in Doha, click here.
Free entry. Sat Nov 19-Sun Dec 18. Open 10am-2am (match days), 3pm-2am (non-match days). Al Bidda Park.
Fans’ Cup
To add to the excitement around the tournament (and add to the number of fun things to do in Doha during the World Cup), the FIFA Fan Festival will also play host to a fans’ cup. Teams will be made up of supporters from all 32 competing teams, and the five-a-side tournament will follow the same format as the World Cup. You can sign up to take part on qatar2022.qa/en/fanscup.
Tue Nov 29-Fri Dec 2. Al Bidda Park.
Hayya Fan Zone
A second fan zone will be set up on the Lusail Marina Promenade.
The Hayya Fan Zone will be open between November 20 and December 18, and will have capacity for up to 3,500 fans at a time.
Free entry. Open Sun Nov 20-Sun Dec 18 noon-2am. Lusail South Promenade.
Fun things to do in Doha during the World Cup: Festivals
ARAVIA by MDLBEAST
House and techno fans, get excited, because MDLBEAST is coming to Al Wakrah for the World Cup. 56 artists will be performing over the 28 days, with headliners including Fatboy Slim, Calvin Harris and David Guetta. Up to 5,000 fans will be able to attend each of the nightly raves, and you can book your tickets now on the MDLBEAST website.
For your complete guide to ARAVIA by MDLBEAST, click here.
From QR179 (general admission). Mon Nov 21-Sun Dec 18 8pm-2am. Al Wakrah, aravia.mdlbeast.com.
Arcadia Spectacular
Elsewhere in Doha, the Arcadia Spectacular dance music festival will be held near Ras Bu Fontas metro station, hosting up to 15,000 fans daily. More than 100 international artists and 50 regional talents will be performing across three stages. To take the experience up a notch, one of the stages will feature Glastonbury’s 50-tonne fire-breathing spider.
For everything you need to know about Arcadia Spectacular, click here.
Ticketed. Sat Nov 19-Sun Dec 18 10pm-5am. In front of Ras Bu Fontas metro station, q-tickets.com / tixbox.com / tickets.virginmegastore.me/qa.
Daydream Festival
As if that wasn’t enough music to satisfy you, the Daydream Festival will also be coming back to Qatar to add to your things to do in Doha during the World Cup list. First held in Qatar in 2019, this year’s event will see artists including Armin Van Buuren, Tiësto, Alesso, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Alok, Timmy Trumpet, Major Lazer Soundsystem, Nervo, Jonas Blue, Paul Van Dyk, Ferry Corsten and Nicky Romero perform at Doha Golf Club.
From QR305. Tue Nov 22, Thu Nov 24, Sat Nov 26, Thu Dec-Fri Dec 2, Tue Dec 6, Sat Dec 10, Wed Dec 14, Sun Dec 18 10am-5am. Doha Golf Club, Al Egla, tixbox.com.
D’reesha Performing Arts Festival
Qatar Foundation’s D’reesha Performing Arts Festival will be returning for its second edition with a week-long event. The details are yet to be revealed, but last year’s festival featured performances from the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and Dana Al Fardan.
Sun Dec 11-Sun Dec 18 3pm-8pm. Oxygen Park, Education City.
Festival in Motion
The whole city will be turning into a festival, with fun things to do in Doha during the World Cup at key tourist destinations including museums, Souq Waqif, Katara Cultural Village and Msheireb Downtown Doha.
Sat Nov 5-Sun Dec 18. Public spaces and heritage sites.
More things to do in Doha during the World Cup
Lusail Boulevard
Lusail Stadium is set host the final match, making it one of the most exciting areas of the city. The events and activities at Lusail Boulevard are set to make it even better, too, with street performances and more than 50 food outlets. The area can host up to 60,000 people at a time, so that atmosphere is set to be electric, too.
Sun Nov 20-Tue Dec 20 11am-midnight. Near Lusail Stadium.
Lusail Winter Wonderland
Due to open November 1, visiting Lusail Winter Wonderland is one of the top things to do in Doha during the World Cup. Located on Al Maha Island, there will be more than 50 rides and attractions, and even the region’s first outdoor ice-skating rink experience.
For everything you need to know about Lusail Winter Wonderland, click here.
Ticketed. Opening Nov 1 2022. Lusail Winter Wonderland, Al Maha Island, Lusail, lusailwinterwonderland.com.
The Corniche
The six-kilometre stretch between the Sheraton Hotel and the Museum of Islamic Art Park will turn into a global street carnival, with roving performances, four live stages, and more than 150 food and beverage outlets throughout the tournament. There will be plenty of fun things to do in Doha during the World Cup at this location, with more than 70,000 people able to visit the Corniche at peak times.
Sat Nov 19-Sun Dec 18 noon-midnight. Doha Corniche.
Welcome to Qatar water shows
While there’s plenty to do along the Corniche during the World Cup, the thing we’re looking forward to most is the daily ‘Welcome to Qatar’ water and pyrotechnic shows. Featuring music from the Qatar 2022 Official Soundtrack, Qatari composer Wael Binali and the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, you’ll be able to catch them every afternoon at 3pm, 3.30pm, 4pm, 4.30pm, 5pm and 5.30pm, with a grand show at 9pm.
Daily 3pm, 3.30pm, 4pm, 4.30pm, 5pm, 5.30pm, 9pm. Doha Corniche.
Coming to Doha for the World Cup? Head over to our Qatar 2022 page now for everything you need to know.
