Doha Festival City is a large shopping mall and entertainment complex located in the north of Doha, Qatar, along Al Shamal Road. It is one of the largest retail developments in Qatar, featuring over 500 stores, 100 dining establishments, and extensive leisure attractions. The project was developed at an estimated cost of QR 6 billion by Bawabat Al-Shamal Real Estate Company (Basrec), a joint venture owned by Dubai-based Al-Futtaim Real Estate Services, Qatar Islamic Bank, Aqar Real Estate Investment Company, and a private Qatari investor.[2][3]
The Doha Festival City project was announced in the early 2010s as a major mixed-use development. Construction began in 2011 on a 433,000 m² site, and the initial phase opened in March 2013 with Qatar’s first IKEA store, spanning 32,000 m².[4]
The second and larger phase, which included the main shopping mall, was completed in 2017. A soft opening took place on April 5, 2017, and at that time it became the largest mall of Qatar.[2][5] The official grand opening occurred in November 2018, which included a VIP gala and a concert by American pop singer Jennifer Lopez.[6]
Following the mall’s opening, leisure attractions developed by local company Trimoo were opened in stages. The first was Virtuocity, an e-sports and virtual-reality center, followed by Angry Birds World, created with Finland’s Rovio Entertainment and Vox Cinemas.[7][8] The indoor portion opened in mid-2018, and outdoor attractions followed in April 2019. Snow Dunes, Qatar’s first indoor snow-themed park, debuted in August 2019.[9]
From September to November 2024, Doha Festival City partnered with Harper's Bazaar to host a series of fashion and beauty events. The series included 'Emerging Voices,' an event held in collaboration with VCUarts Qatar, M7, and Scale 7, which featured the work of local creatives. It also included Front Row Live, a three-day event comprising masterclasses, runway shows, and panel discussions. Participants included Mona Kattan, founder of Kayali, and fashion personality Leonie Hanne.[10][11]
Its entertainment venues include Angry Birds World, an indoor and outdoor theme park; Virtuocity, a gaming and e-sports facility; and Snow Dunes, a 9,500 m² indoor snow park.[3] In 2025, these attractions were recognised at the Global RLI Awards, with Virtuocity awarded 'Most Immersive Attraction & Experience' and Angry Birds World highly commended for 'Most Innovative Retail & Entertainment Concept.[16]
The mall’s VOX Cinemas features 18 screens, Qatar’s first 4DX theater, IMAX, VIP “Theater by Rhodes” screens, and a kids-only cinema. The complex also includes a 3 km Outdoor Leisure Trail for jogging and cycling.[2]
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