Camel Festival Qatar 2025 | Sheikh Jassim: Event Guide

The Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani Camel Festival is one of Qatar’s biggest winter heritage events and a highlight of the camel racing season. This thani camel festival dates location guide focuses on the 2025 edition in Qatar, with clear details on when to go, where to be, and how to plan your visit. Use it to navigate dates, locations, transport, etiquette, and nearby experiences.

What is the Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani Camel Festival?

The festival is a major camel racing event named after the Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, a key figure in Qatar’s history. It marks the opening of the 2025 to 2026 camel racing season and attracts elite camels and owners from across Qatar and other GCC countries. The focus is on high level racing, heritage, and generous prize purses rather than tourist shows.

Sheikh Jassim Camel Festival Qatar 2025 Dates

Festival name: Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani Camel Festival
Dates: 13 December to 27 December 2025
Duration: 15 days

The organizing committee has announced that the 2025 edition runs from 13 to 27 December 2025, with a packed program of 337 races. These are split between royal camels for Their Highnesses and Sheikhs, and tribal camels, with 28 major awards, including the prestigious Golden Sword for tribal camels.

On the final day, approximately QAR 25 million in prizes will be awarded across six big closing races, with the Golden Sword race carrying the largest purse. The festival is considered one of the strongest events in the Gulf in terms of participation and prize money.

Locations: Al Shahaniya and Lobsair racetracks

Main venues

The Thani camel festival is held at two main racetracks outside Doha:

Al Shahaniya Camel Racetrack
Lobsair Racetrack

Both tracks lie west of central Doha, along or near the Dukhan Highway, in an area that has become the hub of Qatari camel racing. Al Shahaniya in particular is described by Qatar’s tourism authority as the center of professional camel racing in the country, hosting domestic and international tournaments throughout the season.

Why these tracks matter

Al Shahaniya offers grandstands, a parallel road for cars to follow the camels, stables, and a “camel city” environment with training areas and farms. Lobsair racetrack is used alongside Al Shahaniya during big festivals so organizers can fit many races into the daily programme and accommodate large numbers of participants.

How to get to the Camel festival from Doha?

By car or taxi

Driving is the simplest way to reach Al Shahaniya and Lobsair racetracks from Doha.

Allow 45 to 60 minutes from central Doha, depending on traffic.
Take the road toward Al Rayyan, continue until the route becomes Dukhan Highway, then follow signs to Ash Shahaniyah and the camel racetrack.

Taxis and ride hailing apps can drop you at the main entrance. For departure, agree a pickup point and time in advance, because mobile networks can be busy after major races finish.

Public transport and tours

Regular public buses or Doha Metro may not go all the way to the gates at race time, so expect at least one change to a taxi or ride share from the last bus stop. Several local tour operators and hotels offer half day camel racing experiences that include transport, race viewing, and guidance, which is useful if you prefer not to self drive.

Tickets to Thani Camel Festival

For big heritage sports events in Qatar, such as camel festivals, access to outdoor race areas is often free or low cost for the public. Exact rules for the Thani camel festival can change each season, so always confirm on the official festival or camel racing committee channels before you go.

You typically have three main viewing options.

Grandstand seating
Shaded seating is usually available in the main stands at Al Shahaniya.
This is best if you want a clear view of the start or finish line and prefer to sit.
Following the race by car
A parallel road runs beside the track, and locals often drive along it during races to follow their camels.
If you do this, keep speed safe, follow marshals’ directions, and avoid blocking official vehicles.
Around the stables and paddock area
Before and after races, you can usually see camels being prepared or cooled down.
Stay behind any marked barriers and follow staff instructions at all times.

Daily schedule of camel race

Opening day and heritage races

On 13 December 2025, the festival opens at dawn with two heritage “Human Rider” camel races, each covering four kilometres. One race is reserved for Qatari riders, while the second is for GCC participants aged 18 to 35.

These races are designed to highlight traditional riding skills before the focus shifts to robot jockey events.

Royal and tribal camel days

From 13 to 17 December, evening sessions are dedicated to races for royal camels owned by Their Highnesses and Sheikhs. After this, races for tribal camels continue through to the closing day, with many heats and age categories running morning and evening.

Expect:

Races across different age and classification groups.
Robot jockeys operating at high speed along long desert style tracks.
Excited owners and fans driving alongside the track to cheer their camels.

Final day and Golden Sword races

On 27 December 2025, the festival culminates in six major closing races with a combined prize purse of around QAR 25 million, including QAR 10.5 million for the Golden Sword race for tribal camels. These finals are typically the most crowded and intense, so arrive early if you want good grandstand spots or easy parking.

Etiquette, dress code, and cultural tips

Camel racing is a family friendly but traditional environment, and respecting local customs will make your visit smoother.

Dress code:
Men and women should wear modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees.
Choose breathable fabrics, closed shoes, a hat, and sunglasses.
Photography:
Camels and racetrack scenes are usually fine to photograph.
Ask permission before photographing people, especially families and women.
General behaviour:
Avoid loud music or disruptive behaviour near prayer times.
Do not enter restricted areas or touch camels without explicit permission from handlers.

How the Thani camel festival fits into Qatar’s camel season?

The Thani camel festival sits within a much longer camel racing calendar in Qatar.

Qatar’s tourism authorities consider Al Shahaniya the heart of the sport, with regular races especially from October to February and major events in March and April, such as the HH the Amir’s main race. Other official events in the wider season include the purebred Arabian camel festival on the Amir’s Sword and summer Mafareed festivals for young camels.

Separate from racing, the Qatar Camel Festival “Jazilat Al Ata” focuses on camel beauty competitions and runs in 2025 for 24 days from 29 January to 21 February at the Camel Beauty Area in Al Basair. Attending the Thani camel festival in December, then returning for the beauty festival or other winter races, gives you a complete picture of Qatar’s camel culture.

Practical tips for visiting in December 2025

December in Qatar is usually one of the most pleasant months to be outdoors, with cooler evenings and warm but manageable daytime temperatures. You will still need sun protection, especially if you follow races by car with windows open or spend time in open seating.

Here are some simple planning tips.

Transport: Share rides if possible, as car parks near the track can get busy on major race days.
Timing: Aim to arrive at least 45 minutes before key races to find parking and explore.
Food and drinks: Bring water and light snacks, although food stalls or nearby options may be available during big events.
Families: Many local families attend with children, but keep young kids supervised near traffic and track edges.

Conclusion

Decide first whether you want a short taste or a full day experience. For a short visit, choose a day with evening royal or tribal races and combine it with a walk around the stables.

For a full experience, arrive in time for early sessions, watch several race blocks, then follow one or two races by car for the authentic local feel. End with a sunset walk near the track or a visit to the wider camel area before heading back to Doha. Use this Thani camel festival dates and location guide to choose the best days between 13 and 27 December 2025 and make the most of Qatar’s camel racing season.

FAQs

The Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani Camel Festival runs from 13 December to 27 December 2025 as a 15 day event.

The festival takes place mainly at Al Shahaniya Camel Racetrack and Lobsair Racetrack, west of Doha along or near the Dukhan Highway.

Public access to camel races in Qatar is often free or low cost, but ticketing policies can change by season and by area. Check the latest instructions from the camel racing organizing committee or official festival channels before you travel.

From central Doha, drive or take a taxi toward Al Rayyan, then continue on Dukhan Highway and follow signs to Ash Shahaniyah and the camel racetrack, which usually takes around 45 to 60 minutes.

Yes, the festival is popular with local families and offers a unique cultural experience, especially in the cooler December weather. Children should be closely supervised near roads, parking areas, and track edges during races.