When's the next public holiday in Saudi Arabia in 2026?
It’s next month
Eid Al-Fitr 2026 has come and gone, and now we’re wondering when the next public holiday in Saudi Arabia will be in 2026. If you share our sentiments (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t), this is the perfect article for you. This is when the next public holiday in Saudi Arabia in 2026 is.
Coming up next, we’ve got Eid Al-Adha 2026 next month. 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.
In the Islamic lunar calendar, Eid al-Adha falls on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah and lasts for three days. The holiday commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to obey God by sacrificing his son. God then provided him with a lamb to sacrifice in his son’s place.
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.
Oh, and if you’re already planning your next escape, here are the 2026 public holiday dates in Saudi Arabia you’ll want to mark on your calendar.
What happens on Eid Morning?
On Eid morning, Muslims across Saudi Arabia wake early (or if you’re like my family and I, you don’t sleep), dress their best, and head to mosques for prayer. From dawn, the air fills with the sound of takbir, until the Eid prayer begins shortly after sunrise. A brief sermon follows, and then the celebrations begin with family visits and shared meals. Since it’s Eid Al-Adha, Muslims will also be performing their udhiya across the three days of Eid.
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