Ramadan comes alive in Doha's Msheireb

Welcome to AL-MONITOR Doha.

This week, Ramadan arrives and Doha exhales. The city shifts into a different rhythm, one where ordinary evenings become occasions and the streets suddenly feel purposeful. There’s something about this season that makes people want to gather in ways they don’t do at other times of year. Msheireb turns into a place people actually want to be at night, Old Doha Port fills with families sampling decades of food nostalgia and Souq Al Wakra becomes less about shopping and more about simply being somewhere that feels alive. 

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Reve

P.S. Have feedback or tips on Doha's culture scene? Send them my way at contactus@al-monitor.com.

1. Leading the week: Layali Msheireb

Barahat Msheireb during a performance by the Al Jazeera Orchestra and Choir in Msheireb Downtown Doha, December 2025. (Photo courtesy of Msheireb Properties)

Msheireb Downtown Doha is transforming into something special this Ramadan. Under the banner “Layali Msheireb,” the smart district is pulling out all the stops with a program that weaves together food, tradition, spirituality and community in ways that feel genuine rather than forced.

The centerpiece is the iftar and suhoor experiences at Barahat Msheireb, created in collaboration with Mandarin Oriental Doha. Live music and cooking accompany the meal, creating the kind of atmosphere that makes breaking the fast feel like an occasion.

Beyond the food, Msheireb is bringing the neighborhood to life with activities that feel especially meaningful during Ramadan. There are post-Taraweeh lectures from respected sheikhs at the mosques, streamed live so more people can tune in. Painting zones at Sahat Wadi Msheireb invite both adults and children to get creative. Another highlight is the mid-Ramadan Garangao celebration, a cherished tradition worth preserving, complete with music and interactive activities.

One of the most interesting elements is the Kahraba Street activation. The street has historical significance as Doha’s first electrically lit street, and Msheireb is leaning into that heritage with installations and lighting that tell its story. 

There is also a Qatar Charity donation initiative running throughout the district, alongside a second edition of Hosh Msheireb, which is becoming part of the seasonal fabric.

Date: first day of Ramadan through the end of Ramadan

Location: Msheireb Downtown

More details here.

2. Word on the street: Throwback Food Festival 2026

Cooks prepare and pack traditional food for customers at a restaurant in Doha on Mar. 13, 2024 during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)

There’s something about revisiting the food of past decades that feels both comforting and adventurous. The Throwback Food Festival is back for its third edition, stretching across the whole of Ramadan at Old Doha Port, and it’s more than just a nostalgia trip.

Thirty vendors and restaurants are offering menus from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, each providing a glimpse into how people ate during those decades. Three vendors from across the Middle East bring their own regional takes on the concept, which adds depth to what could have been a gimmick. But the festival doesn’t rely on novelty alone. The entire space is built around period-inspired decor and atmosphere, so you’re walking through a fully realized environment rather than simply moving between food stalls.

What’s interesting about this edition is how the festival has evolved into a genuine evening destination. You’ll find families spending hours here, eating at different stalls, exploring the space and taking in the carefully constructed nostalgia. It’s the kind of place where people linger rather than rush through.

Date: Feb. 16 through the end of Ramadan

Location: Old Doha Port

More details here.

3. Doha diary

Souq Al Wakrah Waterfront, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. (Photo courtesy of Souq Al Wakrah)

•   Ramadan shopping fair

Souq Al Wakra is the place to be for all your Ramadan shopping. The fair brings together dates, coffees, traditional beverages and much more, all set against a backdrop of heritage architecture and waterfront views. 

Date: until Feb. 27

Location: Seafront, Souq Al Wakrah

More information here.

• Herfah Workshops - Education City

Education City is hosting Herfah Workshops, where you can take classes inspired by nature, create decorative paintings on ceramic plates or experiment with watercolor, gouache and casein. For the more adventurous, there’s the Mystery of Black, a hands-on experience designed to intrigue art enthusiasts of all levels.

Date: Feb. 18 - March 18

Location: Education City

More information here.

• Old Souq Bazaar at Tawar Mall

Heritage and homegrown creativity collide at the Old Souq Bazaar, part of the “From Our Homeland” Productive Families Markets Exhibition at Tawar Mall. Visitors can browse authentic local products and join creative workshops while supporting independent makers.

Date: until April 30

Location: Tawar Mall

More information here.

• Ladies Sports Night: Ramadan Edition

Break a sweat and lift your spirits this Ramadan at Ladies Sports Night: Ramadan Edition — a women-only evening of energy, movement and community, featuring soccer, volleyball and badminton in a fun and welcoming atmosphere.

Date: Feb. 18 - March 18

Location: Education City

More information here.