CHAIRMAN: DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: PROF. KHALID MUBARAK AL-SHAFI

Qatar / Culture

Sketch, build and play: Qatar Museums announces November 2026 public programme

Published: 01 Nov 2026 - 11:46 am | Last Updated: 01 Nov 2026 - 12:35 pm
Peninsula

The Peninsula

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Museums (QM) has announced its November 2026 public programme of creative workshops, hands-on learning experiences and sporting activities, taking place throughout the month across its museums, cultural spaces and community venues.

Complementing QM’s Fall/Winter 2026–27 exhibition programme, the activities invite audiences of all ages to engage with art, design, heritage and creativity throughout November.

Activities span art and calligraphy, modern art, literature, film, fashion, jewellery design, architecture, cultural traditions and sport, with sessions for children, young people and adults.

Highlights include calligraphy workshops at the Museum of Islamic Art, drawing and painting sessions inspired by Mathaf’s Baghdad Modern Art Group exhibition, jewellery-making, fashion and architecture workshops at M7 linked to Around the World in Jewellery exhibition, and beach football activities celebrating the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026.

The Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) presents a varied programme of workshops and cultural activities this November, inviting visitors to explore Islamic art, calligraphy, literature, and cinema. From outdoor sketching and creative workshops to storytelling, abook club and a film club, the programme offers sessions for both children and adults.

Outdoor Sketching for Adults
November 2, 2026 | 3pm-6pm (Arabic and English)
Enjoy the cooler weather with an outdoor sketching session in MIA Park. Participants will practise their drawing skills by capturing the museum’s architecture and surrounding landscape using pencils and watercolours. Open to public; no registration required.

Outdoor Sketching for Adults
November 2, 2026 | 3pm-6pm (Arabic and English)

Enjoy the cooler weather with an outdoor sketching session in MIA Park. Participants will practise their drawing skills by capturing the museum’s architecture and surrounding landscape using pencils and watercolours. Open to public; no registration required.

Story Time: Journey Through Islamic Art
November 18, 2026 | 11am-12pm (Arabic and English)

Children are invited to discover Journey Through Islamic Art, an illustrated story following a young girl on a magical adventure through mosques, palaces, and ornamental gardens. The session introduces young audiences to the beauty and creativity of Islamic artistic heritage. Open to the public; no registration required  

Planet Kids Club End-of-Year Celebration & International Day of Islamic Art
November 18, 2026 | 4pm-5pm (Arabic and English)

Celebrate Islamic art and cultural heritage through a special Planet Kids Club session featuring storytelling, visual exploration, and hands-on activities. Children will discover artistic traditions, patterns, and colours inspired by the Islamic world. Open to the public; no registration required

Book Club: Samarkand by Amin Maalouf
November 18, 2026 | 5pm-6pm (Arabic and English)

Join the MIA Library Book Club for a discussion of Samarkand, a historical novel exploring the life of Persian poet Omar Khayyam and the journey of a manuscript across centuries. Participants will discuss themes of poetry, knowledge, history, and cultural heritage. Open to the public; no registration required

Film Club: Lawrence of Arabia by David Lean
November 19, 2026 | 5pm-6pm (Arabic and English)

MIA Library’s Film Club invites cinema enthusiasts to explore culture and history through film. This month’s selection, Lawrence of Arabia, offers an opportunity to engage with historical storytelling and discuss the relationship between cinema and cultural representation. Open to the public; no registration required

Advanced Ruq'ah Calligraphy
November 21 and 28, 2026 | 11am-1pm  (Arabic and English)

Ruq'ah script is the last form of calligraphy to be invented at the Ottoman court, reaching its height in the 19th century. Its clarity and simplicity are suitable for beginners. Registration is required. Click here

Creative Artwork with Arabic Calligraphy (Adults)
November 24, 2026 | 4pm-6pm (Arabic and English)

Inspired by the Arabic calligraphy featured in MIA’s galleries; this workshop invites adults to create their own artworks using texts from the museum’s collection. Participants will explore calligraphic techniques and experiment with decorative compositions on glossy paper. 

Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art presents a diverse programme of creative workshops and activities this November, inviting visitors to discover modern and contemporary art through drawing, painting, storytelling, and movement. Several activities draw inspiration from the museum’s exhibition What Lingers in the Artist’s Mind: Experiments and Legacies of the Baghdad Modern Art Group, offering opportunities to engage with Iraqi artistic traditions.

Art Lessons with Ismail Azzam
Every Sunday and Tuesday | 4pm-6pm (Arabic and English)

Adults aged 18 and above can develop their portraiture skills using pencils, charcoal, and paint. Led by artist Ismail Azzam, these sessions encourage artistic experimentation, creative expression, and the exchange of ideas among participants. Registration is required. Click here

Realms of Rhythm
November 7, 2026 | 11am-1pm (English)

An immersive workshop inviting adults aged 18 and above to explore the connections between movement, sound, and visual art. Participants will experiment with rhythm and artistic expression, translating music and movement into creative works. 

DRAWTASTIC with Iraqi Modernism
November 14 and 28, 2026 | 4pm-6pm (Arabic and English)

Inspired by Mathaf’s Baghdad Modern Art Group exhibition, this workshop invites adults aged 18 and above to explore the techniques and artistic approaches of Iraqi modernist artists. Through observational drawing and painting with a live model, participants will experiment with different ways of capturing form and expression.

Action Model Drawing with Iraqi Modernism
November 18, 2026 | 4pm-6pm (Arabic and English)

This interactive workshop invites adults aged 18 and above to explore observational drawing and painting with a live model, drawing inspiration from Iraqi artists featured in Mathaf’s Baghdad Modern Art Group exhibition. Registration is required. Click here

After the Tour, the Story Begins: An Illustrated Story Writing Workshop about the Baghdad Exhibition
November 18, 2026 | 4pm-5:30pm (Arabic)

Children and young people aged 9–17 will explore What Lingers in the Artist’s Mind through a guided exhibition tour before transforming an artwork or detail that captures their attention into an original illustrated story combining writing and drawing. Registration is required. Click here

Beyond Reality: Through Dr. Alaa Bashir’s Vision
November 25, 2026 | 4pm-6pm (Arabic and English)

Adults aged 18 and above will discover the artistic journey of Iraqi doctor and artist Dr. Alaa Bashir and his approach to surrealism. Inspired by his work, participants will create their own surrealist drawings using pencils, charcoal, pastels, and other materials. Registration is required. Click here

Story Time: Yassin’s Kite
November 28, 2026 | 3:30pm-5pm (Arabic)

Marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, this storytelling session invites children aged 6–14 to discover Yassin’s Kite, a story exploring hope, belonging, and the connection between children, their homeland, and their memories. Registration is required. Click here

The 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum brings the excitement of football to West Bay Beach this November with a series of interactive activities celebrating the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026. The programme encourages active living and community participation through footballchallenges for all ages.

321 Museum West Bay Beach Football Experience
November 3-27, 2026 | 4pm-7pm (Arabic and English)
Location: West Bay Beach

Visitors can take part in weekly football activities, including beach football matches, penalty shootouts, dribbling relay races, crossbar challenges, and mini tournaments as well aspassing challenges, King of the Ring competitions, and football freestyle showcases. Open to the public, no registration required.

M7 continues its creative programme this November with workshops exploring jewellery design, fashion, architecture, and cultural traditions. Linked to the Around the World in Jewellery exhibition, the programme offers hands-on experiences for children and adults, alongside opportunities for emerging designers to develop their skills.

How To Pitch Your Fashion Brand: PR, Press & Celebrity Dressing
November 2, 2026 | 4pm (English)

Led by Bianca Brigitte Bonomi, Qatar Director of ITP Media, this workshop introduces fashion designers to effective pitching strategies for engaging editors, stylists, celebrities, and retail partners. Participants will explore ways to strengthen their brand positioning, increase media visibility, and build industry connections. Free to attend. Secure your spot: M7.org.qa. 

Gifts from the Sea
November 7, 2026 | 3pm-4:30pm (English)

Inspired by the Around the World exhibition, children aged 9–13 will explore the cultural significance of materials found in the sea before creating their own bracelets using shells, beads, and decorative materials. Led by Sarah Champa. Fee: QR150 per participant. Secure your spot: M7.org.qa. 

Sea & Ocean: Pearl Beading
November 11, 2026 | 4pm-6pm (English)

Led by Kaltham Al Majed, Founder and Creative Director of Kaltham’s Pavilion, this workshop introduces adults to the cultural significance of pearls and the fundamentals of pearl beading. Participants will experiment with colours and materials to create their own contemporary jewellery pieces. Fee: QR 150 per participant. Secure your spot: M7.org.qa. 

Body Adornment
November 14, 2026 | 3pm-4:30pm (English)

Children aged 9–13 will explore how jewellery and adornment express identity and cultural traditions, drawing inspiration from the Around the World exhibition. Guided by Sarah Champa, participants will create decorative headpieces using beads, shells, and mixed materials. Fee: QR 150 per participant. Secure your spot: M7.org.qa. 

Discover Architecture
November 14, 2026 | 11am-1pm (Ages 7–12)
November 21, 2026 | 3pm-5pm (Ages 10–14) (English)

Led by MYMAR, this interactive workshop introduces young participants to architectural design through drawing exercises and creative challenges. Participants will explore building concepts and spatial thinking before developing their own designs for a small house or studio. Fee: QR 250 per participant. Secure your spot: M7.org.qa. 

Customs & Ceremonies
November 21, 2026 | 11:30am-1pm (English)

Inspired by the Around the World exhibition, children aged 9–13 will explore how traditional clothing reflects cultural customs and ceremonies. Led by Sarah Champa, participants will design miniature versions of the Thob Al Nashel or Bisht using fabrics, beads, and decorative materials. Fee: QR 150 per participant. Secure your spot: M7.org.qa. 

Cosmos: Galaxy-Inspired Collection
November 25, 2026 | 4pm-6pm (English)

Led by Kaltham Al Majed, this workshop invites adults to explore the universe as inspiration for jewellery design. Participants will discover gemstones inspired by celestial colours and forms before developing their own miniature jewellery collections. Fee: QR 150 per participant. Secure your spot: M7.org.qa. 

Qatar Museums’ Archaeology Department presents a series of activities this November, inviting participants to explore Qatar’s archaeological and maritime heritage through creative workshops, community clean-up initiatives, and underwater heritage experiences.

Paper Beads
November 3, 2026 (English)

Inspired by the Atharna exhibition, this workshop invites children to discover what ancient beads reveal about creativity, identity, and life in prehistoric Qatar. Drawing inspiration from beads found in prehistoric graves, participants will transform recycled newspapers into colourful beads of their own. To register, sign up for QC+ Membership: https://members.qacreates.com/en/account/login.

Wasm Cleanup at Archaeological Sites
November 4, 5, 7 and 26, 2026 (Arabic and English)

In collaboration with Seashore’s Wasm initiative, the QM Archaeology Department invites participants to help clean archaeological and heritage sites while learning about Qatar’s past and traditional practices of reuse and recycling. The supervised activities combine environmental conservation with archaeological discovery, with collected waste assessed for potential recycling.

Sessions will take place at Al Zubarah Archaeological Site (4 and 7 November), Freiha Archaeological Site (5 November), and Al Mafjar Heritage Village (26 November). Register at: https://seashorecsr.com/events/wasmevent/.

Dive into Al Zubarah’s Past
November 18-21, 2026 (Arabic and English)

Developed in collaboration with UNESCO Doha Office, Alghais Diving Center, and Seashore Group, this programme invites divers to discover the maritime history of Al Zubarah, Qatar’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Participants will explore underwater cultural heritage, archaeological recording techniques, and responsible diving practices, highlighting the importance of protecting Qatar’s marine environment and cultural heritage. Register at: https://qm.org.qa/en/calendar/dive-into-al-zubarahs-past/.