Garangao in Qatar: what it is, and ideas for home, compound and school celebrations

Planning guide by Show Qatar·Updated 12 November 2026·6 min read

Garangao is the children’s night of Ramadan in Qatar. On the evening of the 14th of Ramadan, halfway through the month, children put on traditional clothes and go from door to door in their neighbourhood, singing the Garangao song and filling their bags with nuts and sweets. Similar mid-Ramadan traditions are found across the Gulf under different names. In Qatar many families, schools and compounds mark it.

When is Garangao?

It is held on the night of the 14th of Ramadan, after the sunset prayer and iftar. Because Ramadan follows the lunar calendar, the date moves about eleven days earlier each year, and it can shift by a day with the moon sighting. Our Garangao page always shows the next date.

What happens on the night

• Traditional dress: boys wear a thobe, often with an embroidered waistcoat and cap; girls wear brightly coloured embroidered dresses.
• The bag: each child carries a cloth bag, often made or decorated for the night.
• The treats: a mix of nuts and sweets, handed out by the handful at every door.
• The song: children sing the traditional Garangao song as they go, asking for treats and wishing the household well.

Families who are new to Qatar are welcome to take part. Dress the children for the occasion, prepare small bags of sweets and nuts for the children who knock, and join the celebration in your compound, school or neighbourhood.

Ideas for celebrating at home

• Prepare the treats together. Filling the bags in the afternoon is half the fun for younger children.
• Invite the cousins and neighbours for an hour after iftar, before the children set out.
• A short show in Arabic: a magic or puppet show after iftar gives the evening a centrepiece. Keep it short; the children are waiting for the sweets.
• Storytelling and songs: Arabic storytelling and the Garangao songs, sung together.
• A photo corner with lanterns and traditional fabric: everyone is dressed for it.

Ideas for compounds

In a compound the children can walk safely from house to house, which suits mixed communities. A simple programme is enough: gather at the clubhouse after iftar, a children’s parade through the compound, a show on the lawn or in the clubhouse, then gift bags for every child. Ask each household that wants to take part to leave a light or a lantern at the door.

Ideas for schools and nurseries

Many schools and nurseries in Qatar celebrate during the school day, in the days around the 14th. Children come in traditional dress, parade through the classes, and each class hands out treats to the next. A show in the hall, in Arabic or English, brings the whole year group together. For a school, nursery, mall or company event, request a quote: the programme, timings and the number of children are agreed in advance.

Shows that suit the night

Shorter, gentler shows fit best, because Garangao is an evening after a day of fasting for the adults and the children are excited. These are the shows you can book; choose Arabic or English while booking, at the same price.

Plan early: it is one night

1. At the start of Ramadan or earlier: book the entertainment. It is a single evening, so send your request early.
2. One week before: order or prepare the bags and the treats; confirm the number of children.
3. Two days before: check the children’s outfits and agree the route or the programme with the neighbours.
4. On the night: start after iftar and the sunset prayer, and keep it to about an hour and a half for young children.