Ramadan, the holy month of the Muslim calendar, is a spiritual time in Qatar. This means not just fasting, praying, and moderation, but also celebrating unity. Festive activities during this time are happening all around Qatar — some have deep roots in local culture and history, and others are new. While everyday life in Qatar is different and comes with some restrictions, there are many things you can do to get into the holiday spirit, feel the sense of community, and get to know Qatari culture better. 

Daytime during Ramadan is dedicated to fasting, and nightfall is the time for iftar — the meal that breaks the fast. By sunset, luxurious Ramadan tents filled with delicious food welcome guests. Although this tradition is relatively recent and believed to have spread from Egypt to the rest of the Muslim world, Ramadan tents have become a widespread symbol of sharing and hospitality.

Modern Ramadan tents are easy to find — major hotels and plazas set them up specifically for the holy month, offering exquisite delicacies. Traditional iftar dishes include shorba (chicken or meat soup), harees (a wheat porridge-like dish), thareed (an Arabic variation of lamb or beef stew cooked with vegetables), machboos (a spiced rice dish), and various desserts like Umm Ali, basbousa, and luqaimat.

Prices typically range from QAR 80 to QAR 300, with many places offering discounts for children. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, try an iftar buffet or an iftar box.

Those who prefer to eat early in the morning can join suhoor, the pre-dawn meal usually eaten shortly before the daily fast begins. Suhoor offerings are available at the same Ramadan tents. 

Nighttime offers an excellent opportunity for a different experience: Keshta. This Arabian Bedouin-style picnic is a popular form of entertainment in Qatar during Ramadan. However, unlike a typical camping trip to the desert, mountains, or wadis (river valleys), Keshta is a communal gathering where people share stories and sip hot beverages in a relaxed atmosphere.

Keshta packages often include additional desert activities such as camel rides or dune bashing. But you can also opt for a tranquil experience, simply resting and enjoying the landscape.

If you prefer to relax on the water rather than on land, consider booking a dhow cruise. These traditional wooden sailing boats, historically used for pearl hunting, depart from Doha’s Dhow Harbor and take passengers to Al Safliya Island.

Once there, you can enjoy the quiet island setting, admire the Doha skyline, engage in water sports, swim, or simply relax on the sandy beach. The same boat will then take you back to the city.

In 2024, Old Doha Port became the host of an annual month-long cultural festival celebrating Ramadan with food tastings, ethnic music, games, and competitions. The Throwback Food Festival revives the atmosphere of old Middle Eastern markets with live cooking demonstrations and a chance to meet local chefs.

In 2026, the festival will be open every day between 5:30 PM and 3 AM. Entry is free. 

The evening is the perfect time to visit one of the bustling markets. To combine shopping with entertainment, visit the famous Souq Waqif in central Doha, Pearl Bazaar on Pearl Island, or the market in Msheireb Downtown. You can also take a trip to the Souq in Al Wakrah, Qatar’s second-oldest city.

At these markets, you'll find a vibrant atmosphere with street food, fancy clothing, leather goods, jewelry, and handcrafted items. Street performers and henna artists add to the experience. You can even try your hand at traditional games like dama (similar to checkers and chess), al teelah (a marble game), and carrom — a popular board game for all ages.

Garangao night marks the 14th day of Ramadan, which means that fasting is halfway through for observing people. To celebrate, the Garangao festival begins after the Maghrib prayer. It is the night when kids go around the neighborhood, knocking on the doors, greeting neighbors, singing a traditional Garangao song, and filling their bags with rewards, usually sweets. Lately, thematic gift boxes, costing QAR 5 to QAR 50, have been specially designed to praise kids’ efforts during the fasting season. 

Aside from warm neighborhood celebrations, there are many more festivities around the cities, of course. Giveaways, games, workshops, face painting, and other family entertainment are all over places like Msheireb Downtown and Katara Cultural Village, Fire Station, Old Port, malls, and museums.

From February 24 to March 9, Doha Exhibition and Convention Center will host the Hayyi Ramadan Trade Fair. Visitors will be able to browse offerings like home decor, clothing, accessories, perfumes, and food from over fifteen countries.

The fair is open Saturday to Thursday from 11 AM to 3 PM and from 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM, and on Fridays from 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM.

The Museum of Islamic Art is presenting an exhibition called Mecca: The Heart of Worship in Ramadan. It’s described as an intimate exploration of Islam’s spiritual center with a focus on Hajj and Umrah.

Visitors can view a detailed model of Ka’ba, the golden door with engraved Qur’anic verses, and the black Kiswa silk, embroidered with Shahada. They’ll also see a replica of an early Qur’an from the Istanbul Topkapi Palace. 

If you’re a car enthusiast, don’t miss the Ramadan Classic Car Parade in collaboration with Mawater at Old Doha Port. The parade starts at 3:30 PM, with a slow procession of vehicles moving along the Mina waterfront for approximately an hour and a half. 

The parade happens only on Thursdays and Fridays, and you can visit it for free.

Before the digital era, a cannon shot was used in Arab countries to signal the end of the daily fast. Today, the iftar cannon remains a cherished tradition, and you can hear it being fired at Souq Waqif, Katara, Souq Al Wakrah, Lusail Boulevard, and Old Doha Port.

If you’d like to explore the spiritual side of Ramadan, you would find it in Qatar’s most prominent mosques: Katara Mosque in Cultural Village, Msheireb Mosque that combines traditional and modern architecture, innovative Education City Mosque, or Imam Abdul Wahhab Mosque.

Perhaps the best time to visit them is the night when Taraweeh prayers happen: you can expect to hear renowned Qur’an reciters.

Ramadan is a time of generosity to those in need. If you’d like to take part in one of many charity initiatives, you can volunteer at community iftar events, serving meals, or distributing food packages. 

You could also donate to various benefit projects.

During Ramadan, Qatar residents and tourists must respect the fasting rules and act accordingly. This means that you have to refrain from eating or drinking in public from dawn to sunset. Public displays of affection are strongly discouraged.

Also note that this is a time for modesty, moderation, and avoiding any kind of rush — though it’s not a law, it’s a courtesy and a sign of respect. If you doubt whether locals would consider something impolite, don’t be afraid to ask them.