Race week in Singapore is getting a cultural counterpoint with the arrival of The Garden Souq by Visit Qatar at Raffles Hotel Singapore.
Running from 7 to 9 October, the open-air activation will introduce visitors to Qatari traditions through food, fragrance, music and hands-on craft, all staged on one of the city’s most recognisable hotel lawns.
It’s a timely showcase for Qatar’s tourism ambitions, using the international pull of motorsport to present the country through a more intimate lens.
At a glance
- The Garden Souq by Visit Qatar will be held at Raffles Hotel Singapore from 7 to 9 October during race week.
- The experience includes Arabic coffee and dates, live oud music, Qatari cuisine, perfume blending and custom craft stations.
- Admission is free, with the activation open daily from 17:00 to 22:00 and prior registration required.
A Qatari souq on the Raffles lawn
The Garden Souq by Visit Qatar reimagines the traditional souq as a contemporary outdoor experience designed for both Singapore residents and international race visitors.
Rather than presenting Qatar through a single display, the activation is arranged as a series of stations that visitors can move through at their own pace.
The setting matters, too.
Raffles Hotel Singapore brings a sense of heritage and occasion, while the lawn format gives the event a relaxed, open-air character that suits the social rhythm of race week.
Hospitality, craft and flavour in one setting
At The Majlis, guests will be served traditional Arabic coffee and dates, accompanied by live oud performance.
It’s a familiar gesture of Qatari hospitality, but one that works especially well in an international setting where the rituals around welcome can say as much as any exhibition panel.
Food is given its own stage through Flavours of Qatar, a station dedicated to local cuisine.
The hands-on elements add a more personal dimension.
At The Artisan’s Workshop, visitors can personalise a leather charm, while The Doha Stamp offers cap customisation with Qatar-inspired patches.
Scents of Qatar invites guests to create a bespoke perfume blend, a fitting inclusion given the cultural importance of fragrance across the Gulf.
Race week as a cultural stage
The activation forms part of Visit Qatar’s partnership with Audi Revolut F1® Team, connecting the destination with one of the most globally visible sporting calendars.
For tourism boards, major race weeks offer more than hospitality traffic.
They gather a high-spending, internationally mobile audience in one place, creating an opportunity to introduce destinations through memorable live experiences rather than conventional advertising.
For Qatar, The Garden Souq is also a way to place craft, cuisine and everyday traditions at the centre of its visitor proposition.
It’s not just about promoting a destination, but about giving potential travellers a short, sensory encounter with the culture they might find there.
Opening hours and access
The Garden Souq by Visit Qatar will be open to the public from 7 to 9 October at Raffles Hotel Singapore.
Daily opening hours are from 17:00 to 22:00.
Admission is free, though prior registration is required through Visit Qatar’s event registration channel.
For visitors in Singapore during race week, it offers a measured change of pace from the circuit atmosphere, with a focus on hospitality, craft and the quieter details that often define a destination long after the event calendar moves on.
