Your guide to Qatar National Day 2013

National Day is TODAY!, and preparations are complete and ready for the celebrations and festivities!

Are you ready for this?

Every year since its establishment in 2007,  Qatar National Day (QND) has been celebrated on Decemeber 18th. However this year, QND is expected to be the biggest one yet as it is the first one under the leadership of HE The Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the 33-year-old son of the emir, HE The Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

In addition, this is also the first time that QND will have a theme – One Love – which will celebrate the expat communities and multicultural population of Qatar, which is home to over 2 million people from at least 180 countries.

14,000 seats have already been set up in designated locations along the Corniche, which will be the venue for military parades and folk shows. 

REMEMBER: Fireworks at the Corniche on QND start at 10pm sharp!

Not sure which roads to take? Check out this handy map:

Travel: All visitors and arrivals to Qatar at both the border posts and at Doha International Airport will receive a traditional Qatari welcome.

Hotels: Hotels are invited to wave the Qatari Flag in front of their hotels and distribute Qatari Flags inside their hotels to tourists. Hotel staff will wear traditional Qatari national dress or Qatar National Day pins for the occasion, and female staff will wear Thoab Al Nashel. White and burgundy balloons will also be displayed in hotel entrances and reception areas and traditional Qatari food and dishes will be put on main course menus for the day.

Katara Cultural Village: Festivities happening in Katara from 18 to 19 December 2013, featuring 20 events inspired by the Qatari heritage to recognise their present and explore horizons of their future. In the occasion of QND, on 16 December 2013, the State of Qatar will present the ‘Flag of Gratitude & Loyality’ to Guinness Book of Records the largest flag in the world.

Darb Al Saai Camp: One of the major attractions of Qatar National Day. It features traditional and cultural activities that proote Qatar's heritage. Darb Al Saai is now open for the public use, well before December 18.

Souq Waqif: The streets and shops in souq waqif have been decorated with Qatari flags and photos of HH The Emir and HE The Father Emir. Traditional dance and performances will be held in the souq. You can also enjoy lounging in several of the restaurants rooftops. 

WARNINGS:

• No pictures, posters, and/or flags on cars that would change the look and color of the vehicle.
• No shading of the windshield and rear windows, which prevents the driver from viewing the road.
• Car plates must be visible at all times.
• Climibing or jumping on rooftops of cars or getting out of the car windows is prohibited.
• Do not block traffic or park in no parking zones

Sources: Wikipedia | Marhaba | Gulf Times | Images: QL Flickr Group