Planning ahead? These are all the 2026 public holidays in Saudi Arabia
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While there may only be a handful of public holidays in Saudi Arabia, the 2026 calendar still delivers, especially when those dates are paired with weekends and a little annual leave, turning just a few days off into well-deserved mini breaks.
And really, who doesn’t love some time off?
Here are all the Saudi public holiday dates you’ll want to mark in your 2026 calendar.
February 22: Saudi Founding Day
Founding Day is an official public holiday in Saudi Arabia on February 22 each year. The holiday was created in 2022 to commemorate the foundation of the First Saudi State in 1727 by Imam Muhammad bin Saud. This year, the Saudi Founding Day falls on a Sunday, setting the stage for the first long weekend of the year.
March: Eid Al-Fitr
Eid Al-Fitr is a holiday to mark the beginning of the Islamic month of Shawwal and the end of the month-long Ramadan, during which Muslims fast during daylight hours. The day typically begins with a special communal Eid prayer, followed by family gatherings, generous feasts, and plenty of sweet treats shared among relatives, friends, and neighbours. Children often receive Eidiya (small gifts or money), homes are filled with the aroma of traditional desserts, and cities across the Kingdom become lively and festive.
This year, the first day of Eid Al Fitr 2026 in Saudi Arabia falls on Friday March 20. The official holidays are four days long (March 19 to 24), so it’s a long break extending into the weekend.
May (TBC): Eid Al-Adha
Usually observed from Dhul-Hijjah 10 to 12 of the Islamic Hijri calendar, Eid Al-Adha lasts three days and commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to obey God by sacrificing his son. Muslims worldwide celebrate by performing Eid prayers, offering charity, and sacrificing animals (such as sheep or goats) to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion, while Hajj pilgrims conclude their sacred rites in Makkah, with celebrations such as sharing meat and family gatherings marking the occasion.
This year, it is likely to take place on Wednesday May 27, with the holiday period expected to run from around May 26 (Arafat Day) through May 28 or 29, marking a long weekend for the Feast of Sacrifice. As with Eid Al-Fitr, the exact dates for Eid Al-Adha depend on the sighting of the moon and will be confirmed closer to the time.
September 23: Saudi National Day
Last but not least, here’s the final 2026 public holiday in the Kingdom: Saudi National Day, observed annually on September 23. The holiday commemorates the establishment of Saudi Arabia by King Abdulaziz in 1932. It falls on a Wednesday this year, so there is no long weekend there (unless you decide to take Thursday September 24 off). But you can look forward to fireworks, parades featuring floats showcasing each region’s highlights, music, traditional attire, and Saudi flags lining the streets.
Stay tuned to whatsonsaudiarabia.com for the official announcements.
Images: Unsplash / Social /SPA
