Qatar Toy Festival 2026 Opens at DECC with 66+ Global Brands and Family Entertainment

Doha's summer has a new center of gravity. The fourth edition of the Qatar Toy Festival opened on July 1 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), and it will run through July 31  a full month of family entertainment that organizers are billing as the largest edition in the festival's history.

Bigger and bolder by every measure

Held under the theme "More to Imagine, A Whole World of Fun," this year's festival is organized by Qatar Calendar in collaboration with Spacetoon Group, as part of Visit Qatar's "Hala Summer" campaign. The numbers tell the story of its scale: the event spans more than 22,000 square meters across four halls of the DECC, with seven themed zones designed for different age groups  from pre-schoolers to teenagers, young adults, and even adult collectors.

Inside, visitors will find more than 66 globally recognized entertainment brands, 33 activity corners, and 14 live shows every single day, ranging from dance and music performances to science demonstrations, mascot meet-and-greets, and celebrity appearances. The opening ceremony set the tone with music, mascots, and surprise flash mobs.

What's new this year

Two headline additions distinguish the 2026 edition from previous years:

The Studio Zone is the festival's marquee new attraction, offering immersive experiences inspired by globally beloved franchises including Zootopia, Toy Story, Winnie the Pooh, and SpongeBob SquarePants the kind of walk-through, character-driven environments that turn a toy fair into something closer to a theme park.

The Inflatables Zone brings large-scale inflatable attractions built around active play, giving kids a place to burn energy between the shows and shopping.

There's also a new immersive stage hall hosting concerts, competitions, and live performances throughout the month, plus a dedicated Influencers Zone a nod to how family entertainment now lives partly online designed as a platform for content creation and digital engagement. Shoppers can browse exclusive merchandise and collectibles across the festival's retail stores.

The Summer Camp returns

Running alongside the festival, the QTF Summer Camp is back for its second year, operating daily from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM between July 5 and July 30. Designed for children aged 4 to 12, the camp blends education and recreation: art and design workshops, hands-on science experiments led by Science Street, interactive play sessions with beloved characters, obstacle courses, and movement-based games.

The camp accommodates up to 150 children across age groups and is priced at QR 750 per week or QR 2,000 for the full month  and organizers note that spaces are limited, so early booking is advised.

Tickets and practical details

• Where: Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), West Bay, Doha
• When: July 1–31, 2026
• Tickets: From QR 50 per day, with fast-track, VIP, and group entry options available through the festival's ticketing partners
  book your tickets at Qtickets
• Accessibility: Entry is free for children with special needs

The DECC's location in West Bay puts the festival within easy reach of the Doha Metro, and surrounded by the district's cafés, restaurants, and shopping  making it straightforward to build a full family day around a visit.

Part of a bigger summer story

The Toy Festival anchors a packed July calendar in Qatar that also includes free FIFA World Cup 2026 screenings at Mall of Qatar (through July 19), FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifiers at Lusail Sports Hall, and ongoing exhibitions across Qatar Museums. For Visit Qatar, the festival is part of a deliberate strategy: building a year-round events calendar that positions the country as a leading destination for family-focused entertainment and large-scale events keeping the momentum going long after the world's cameras left in 2022.

For families in Doha looking to escape the summer heat, though, the pitch is simpler: four halls, seven worlds, a month of play, all indoors and air-conditioned.