Qatar Halal Festival 2026 Kicks off at Katara
14th Qatar Halal Festival launches with vibrant heritage displays, livestock competitions and family-friendly cultural events at Katara.
The 14th edition of the Qatar Halal Festival 2026 officially opened on Wednesday at the Katara Cultural Village, ushering in several days of heritage celebrations, livestock competitions and cultural attractions that highlight Qatar’s deep agricultural traditions.
Organised under the auspices of the Katara Cultural Village Foundation, the festival features extensive participation from livestock breeders from Qatar and the wider region, reflecting its standing as a premier specialised heritage event in the Gulf.
Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, Director General of the Katara Cultural Village Foundation, underscored Katara’s commitment to staging a distinguished festival that honours the event’s legacy and cultural significance. Meanwhile, Salman Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Organising Committee, noted that this year’s programme builds on the successes of previous editions with expanded competitions and enhanced organisation.
The festival’s competitive lineup includes a variety of categories for Arabian livestock, such as the Symbol Round for the most beautiful locally bred camel, elite rounds, and multiple age-based contests that showcase participants’ technical skill and breeding expertise.
In addition to the competitions, the festival grounds are designed to evoke Bedouin heritage, with dedicated livestock display areas, a traditional market with Bedouin tents, handicraft pavilions, and a reception hall embodying authentic Arabian hospitality.
Visitors can also enjoy live art workshops, traditional music performances featuring the rababa, camel riding for children, and a pavilion displaying pygmy goats, an attraction especially popular with families.
A bustling marketplace with 17 participating shops offers traditional foods, sweets, perfumes, accessories, farm equipment and veterinary products, creating a rich cultural experience that blends heritage, commerce and community engagement.
The Qatar Halal Festival runs through February 16, offering residents and visitors alike a vibrant celebration of halal livestock culture and Qatari heritage at one of Doha’s most iconic cultural destinations.