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Hello!
Just like last year, we decided to ring in the New Year outside of Poland. (If you’re curious about how we spent New Year’s Eve in Bahrain, check out this link!) This time, we chose Qatar, specifically Lusail Boulevard—a modern entertainment hub in Doha that has quickly become one of the city’s top spots for going out and celebrating.
In this post, we’ll share what New Year’s Eve 2025 in Doha had to offer, how the celebrations unfolded on Lusail Boulevard, and whether Qatar is worth considering as a New Year’s Eve destination.
Ready? Here we go!
How did we get to Qatar?
We booked our tickets in September, looking for a destination with a warmer climate than chilly Poland. Initially, we planned to spend a few days in Qatar, but the airfare was insanely expensive. It wasn’t until we tweaked our itinerary and added a few stopovers that we finally found a reasonable deal.
In the end, we managed to book round-trip tickets for 2,300 PLN per person, with a stopover in Sharjah, UAE along the way. We arrived in Qatar the same day, all set for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve experience.
Where did we spend New Year’s Eve?
We spent New Year’s Eve 2025 on Lusail Boulevard, one of the most modern and vibrant spots in Doha. This iconic avenue in Lusail City has quickly become a top entertainment destination, packed with restaurants, cafés, and shops, all set against a backdrop of stunning architecture that truly makes an impression.
On New Year’s Eve, the entire Lusail Boulevard was closed to traffic, allowing people to freely walk from the metro station all the way to the main event stage. The organizers put together an impressive lineup of attractions—live music, dazzling light shows, and a breathtaking drone and fireworks display that lit up the sky over Lusail.
Where could you spend the New Year?
When deciding where to spend New Year’s Eve in Doha, we considered several locations that offered unique ways to celebrate. Here are some of the top spots we looked into:
- Corniche in Doha: A popular spot among both locals and tourists, famous for its spectacular fireworks displays over the bay.
- Katara Cultural Village: Perfect for culture enthusiasts, featuring traditional music and dance performances, along with a fireworks show. This spot attracts families and those looking for a more classic New Year’s Eve celebration.
- The Pearl-Qatar: A luxurious district where restaurants and cafés offer special New Year’s menus and live entertainment. From what we saw in photos, the fireworks over the marina create a stunning backdrop for ringing in the New Year.
- Souq Waqif: Perfect for those who enjoy a traditional and lively atmosphere, featuring local performances, live music, and a variety of dining options.
- Hotels & Gala Events: Many five-star hotels in Doha host exclusive New Year’s Eve galas, featuring gourmet dinners, live music, and themed parties. However, it’s worth booking in advance, as these events are highly popular and tend to sell out quickly.
Atmosphere and attractions on Lusail Boulevard
The atmosphere on Lusail Boulevard during New Year’s Eve 2025 was truly special. The fireworks display was absolutely stunning, far surpassing what we had seen before in Bahrain. That night, we also noticed an increased frequency of autonomous metro services, making it much easier to reach the venue. The entire boulevard was closed to traffic, allowing us to freely walk from the metro exit along the entire avenue.
One of our biggest mistakes was not eating beforehand. Once we got there, we realized that most restaurants had long queues, including McDonald’s. Surprisingly, despite the huge crowd, the service was incredibly well-organized. Each ordering kiosk had a staff member assisting customers, which helped keep the line moving quickly. Major respect to the team working that night—it definitely wasn’t an easy shift!
With each passing hour, especially as midnight approached, the crowd kept growing denser. There was a parking area next to the boulevard for those who came by car, which in hindsight might have been a more convenient option. Public restrooms were available in the buildings along the avenue, making it easy to find facilities when needed—a small but important detail for such a large event.
A DJ booth was set up in the middle of the boulevard, with speakers placed along the entire street, creating an immersive musical experience. In addition to the fireworks display, there was a breathtaking drone and light show that left the crowd in awe. The night was further enriched with live performances and various entertainment acts, all coming together to create an unforgettable New Year’s Eve atmosphere.
Logistics and transportation
The return from Lusail Boulevard was a real challenge.
Getting to Lusail Boulevard was fairly easy—the metro ran to the final station on the Red Line, and from there, it was just a short walk to the event. Lusail Tram was also operating along the boulevard, but at some point, it stopped running. Initially, we thought that driving would be the worst option, but in hindsight… it might have actually been the most convenient. There were plenty of parking spaces, which made it a much better alternative than we had expected.
But the way back… that’s a whole different story. After the fireworks, everyone rushed toward the metro station at the same time, completely clogging the only entrance. The line stretched endlessly, and the station’s capacity? Nonexistent. The organization? A disaster. What’s surprising is that Lusail Stadium is right next door, and during FIFA 2022, they handled massive crowds. But that night, it felt like nobody had planned for this many people.
We figured that since Lusail Tram was running, we’d give it a shot. Problem? The nearest stop was closed. Staff told us the next one was operational… but it was a 20-minute walk away. Well, we went for it. That stop? Also closed. Only three stops later, we finally found one that was actually working. After an entire day on our feet, this was the last thing we wanted to deal with.
Uber? No chance. The cell network was overloaded, making it nearly impossible to even request a ride. And on the rare occasion we managed to connect, the wait time was 40 minutes or more. In the end, we finally made it back to our hotel at 2:40 AM, completely exhausted.
Safety
During our stay in Doha, not just on Lusail Boulevard, but across the city, we noticed that safety is taken very seriously. On New Year’s Eve, aside from the heavy police presence and medical teams stationed along major areas, the city felt well-prepared to handle the massive crowds celebrating that night.
Walking through different districts like West Bay and Souq Waqif, we felt comfortable and safe. The streets were well-lit, and while security was present, it was discreet and not overbearing. Despite the large crowds, we didn’t come across any unpleasant situations or incidents.
Summary
To sum up, New Year’s Eve on Lusail Boulevard in Doha is a fantastic option for anyone looking to celebrate in a truly special place. The fireworks show was breathtaking, the atmosphere was incredible, and the overall organization—at least until the journey back—was pretty solid.
If we were to do it again, we’d definitely drive. Seriously, after experiencing the chaos of getting back by metro, having our own car would have been so much more convenient. And next time, we’d make sure to eat beforehand—we definitely weren’t prepared for the food situation!
As for the crowds—I’m not a big fan of huge gatherings, but Jadzia didn’t mind at all. Despite the massive number of people, there was no aggression or uncomfortable atmosphere. Even when we were squeezed in the crowd trying to leave the boulevard, we never felt unsafe.
Would we recommend spending New Year’s Eve in Doha? Absolutely! If you’re planning a New Year’s getaway, this is definitely a place worth considering. The best way to do it? Combine the celebrations with some sightseeing and spend 3–4 days here—no rush, just a relaxed and enjoyable experience.
