The third edition of Shop Qatar, the country’s only nation-wide shopping festival, is all set for a strong start with the first-ever six-day National Day Trade Festival which will kick off this Saturday, organisers have announced.

Running for 35-days until January 20, Shop Qatar 2018 is expected to be a real treat for bargain hunters and fashion–forward aficionados with the inaugural Shop Qatar Design District which will bring the latest fashion and lifestyle trends at Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre from January 5 to 12 with its 75 pop-up shops, 20 international fashion shows and 10 master-classes.

Up to QR3m worth of cars and cash prizes are at stake at this year’s festival with the participation of hundreds of retail outlets offering big discounts in 14 retail partners including Al Mirqab Mall, AlKhor Mall, City Centre, Dar Al Salam Mall, Doha Festival City, Gulf Mall, Hyatt Plaza, Lagoona Mall, Landmark Mall, Mall of Qatar, Royal Plaza, Tawar Mall, The Gate Mall and The Pearl-Qatar.

All these malls and shops have lined up colourful entertainment and exciting activities. Shoppers who spend QR200 at any of the 14 participating retailers can enter a weekly raffle draw.

“Shop Qatar’s activities have been carefully curated to offer special offers for the bargain-hunter, the style-savvy and the fashion-forward while also affording visitors and residents of all ages and interests various opportunities to join in celebrating this special season in Qatar,” said Mashal Shahbik from National Tourism Council (NTC) at a press conference, while thanking private and public sector partners for their continuous collaboration in building and growing the country’s festivals and tourism events.

In celebration of Qatar National Day – and in a move to bolster trade activities across the country – the first edition of the National Day Trade Festival is being organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in cooperation with NTC.

“This large and first-of-its-kind initiative comes within the framework of the Ministry’s efforts to organise events that reflect pride and joy in Qatar National Day and grants the retail sector and various private companies the opportunity to offer unprecedented discounts that promote domestic and international tourism, thus attracting citizens, residents and visitors during this period of the year,” said Faissal Al Haithami, Media Officer at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

More than 50 hotels across Qatar will have special offers throughout Shop Qatar. The offers include discounted room nights, promotions at F&B outlets and health club services as well as free airport transfers.

Once again, Embrace Doha will lead shopping tours at Souq Waqif on Saturdays during the festival. The final week of Shop Qatar will see live music concerts featuring Pakistani, Indian and globally-renowned artistes.

In parallel with the festival, there will be other festivities around Qatar including the Souq Waqif Spring Festival and Souq Waqif Al Wakra Spring Festival; Torba Farmer’s Market at Qatar Foundation’s Ceremonial Court, the Night Market at Duhail Sports Club and the Tegahwa coffee event at Al Hazm, the Entertainment World Village.