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Qatar’s calendar is action-packed with concerts, motorsport, football and cultural festivals among the highlights in Doha and beyond between September 2026 and March 2027.
The FIFA Under-17 World Cup will return to the Gulf nation, alongside the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix, the MotoGP Qatar Airways Grand Prix and live performances from global stars including John Legend and Hans Zimmer.
The season will also include heritage exhibitions, design showcases and food festivals.
Here are the key events taking place in Qatar this autumn and winter…
8-12 September 2026: S’hail – Katara International Hunting & Falcons Exhibition
The 10th edition of S’hail, the Katara International Hunting and Falcons Exhibition, will take place at Katara Cultural Village. The event brings together falconry and hunting specialists, outdoor equipment brands and Qatari heritage groups.
Since launching in 2017, it has grown into a regional showcase, now drawing more than 260 exhibitors from more than 20 countries.
The exhibition includes falcon auctions, live demonstrations and workshops on falconry heritage.
10 September 2026: John Legend live
Award-winning singer-songwriter John Legend will perform at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) in Doha.
Known for hits including “All of Me” and “Ordinary People”, Legend has built a career spanning soul, gospel and pop over two decades.
He is a 13-time Grammy winner and one of the few artists to achieve “EGOT” status for winning Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards.
Titled “An Evening of Songs & Stories”, the show will feature stripped-back renditions of his hits. Tickets start from QAR195 (€46).
28 September to 3 October 2026: Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition
Organised by Qatar Tourism and Visit Qatar, the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) is set to take place at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC).
Spanning more than 33,000 square metres, the event typically draws around 30,000 visitors from more than 175 countries.
DJWE brings together leading local and international jewellery and watch brands, alongside talks, workshops and networking sessions for industry professionals. Admission is free.
16 October 2026: Angham live in Doha
Egyptian singer Angham, known as “the Voice of Egypt”, will perform at Al Mayassa Theatre, part of the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).
She has built a career in Arabic-language pop spanning nearly four decades, with hits including “Sidi Wesalak” and “Omry Maak”.
Her 2007 album “Kolma N’arrab” sold more than 500,000 copies across the Middle East, earning platinum certification. And in 2025, she became the first Egyptian female artist to perform at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
4-7 November 2026: Qatar Boat Show
The third edition of the Qatar Boat Show will be held at Old Doha Port, featuring superyachts and displays from marine brands.
Launched in 2024, the event’s most recent edition drew more than 27,000 visitors from 105 countries and showcased more than 65 boats and marine vessels worth a combined QAR880 million (€207.2 million).
The show also features watersports and activities including jet skiing, kite surfing and paddleboarding.
5 November 2026 to 31 January 2027: Design Doha Biennial
The second edition of Design Doha, a design biennial for the MENASA region, will be held at venues across Qatar’s capital.
The event includes exhibitions, talks and installations in 16 design disciplines, from architecture to textiles and crafts.
Its headline exhibition, “Arab Design Now”, will be curated by Noura Al Sayeh and feature work from 81 designers.
The Design Doha Prize will also be awarded, recognising work across four categories: craft, product design, furniture design and emerging talent.
6 November 2026: Hans Zimmer live
The celebrated German film composer and music producer is set to perform “Hans Zimmer Live: The Next Level” at the 974 Stadium Precinct in Doha.
Known for scores including “The Lion King”, “Gladiator”, “Inception”, “Interstellar” and “Dune”, Zimmer has composed music for more than 150 films and other productions. He has also won two Academy Awards, five Grammys and three Golden Globes.
The show features Zimmer performing with a 19-piece band. Tickets start from QAR95 (€23).
6-8 November 2026: MotoGP Qatar Airways Grand Prix
The MotoGP Qatar Airways Grand Prix returns to Lusail International Circuit in November. The circuit hosted its first MotoGP race in 2004, while Qatar became the championship’s first night race when the grand prix was held under floodlights in 2008. A three-day adult ticket costs QAR200 (€48).
19 November to 13 December 2026: FIFA Under-17 World Cup
Qatar will again host the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the second of five consecutive editions awarded to the country between 2025 and 2029.
Showcasing the future stars of world football, the tournament features 48 national teams after the format expanded for the first time in 2025.
Matches will take place across venues in the Aspire Zone Competition Complex, with the final staged at Khalifa International Stadium.
The 2025 edition drew more than 100,000 spectators, with Portugal beating Austria 1-0 in the final.
27-29 November 2026: Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix
Lusail International Circuit will host the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix, part of a 10-year agreement running from 2023 to 2032. Qatar first joined the Formula 1 calendar in 2021.
The 2025 edition drew an attendance of more than 162,000, and unlike previous years, the 2026 weekend will not include a Sprint format. General admission tickets start from QAR600 (€144).
18 December 2026: Qatar National Day
Qatar marks its National Day on 18 December, commemorating the country’s unification under founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani in 1878. The day was established as an annual public holiday in 2007.
Celebrations traditionally include the Darb Al Saai heritage festival and events on the Doha Corniche, including military displays and fireworks. Entry to the festivities is free.
13-23 January 2027: Qatar International Food Festival
Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) returns to Lusail Stadium Precinct, following its most attended edition yet in 2026, which drew 490,000 visitors over 10 days at 974 Stadium.
The 2026 edition featured 200 local vendors and 46 international vendors, alongside more than 50 chefs leading live cooking demonstrations and workshops.
The festival includes family-friendly attractions such as the “Dinner in the Sky” experience, suspended 40 metres above ground. Entry to the festival is free.
February 2027 (dates TBC): WTA and ATP tennis
Doha will host WTA and ATP tennis tournaments at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, typically held in consecutive weeks each February.
The women’s Qatar TotalEnergies Open is a WTA 1000 event, with past champions including Martina Hingis, Maria Sharapova and Iga Świątek.
The men’s Qatar ExxonMobil Open, first held in 1993, has previously been won by the likes of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
26 March 2027: ONE Championship Qatar
ONE Championship is set to return to the Aspire Dome in Doha, with athletes competing across mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, kickboxing and submission grappling.
The promotion hosts events featuring fighters from around the world, with broadcasts reaching audiences in more than 190 countries.
Qatar first hosted ONE Championship in 2024, and the organisation has since announced a multi-year partnership to stage regular events in the country.
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