Public Holidays in Saudi Arabia 2026
Founding Day, Eid holidays and National Day in 2026
Saudi Arabia's public holiday calendar is compact but includes extended Eid breaks. Founding Day on February 22 and National Day on September 23 are fixed annual dates, while Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha follow the Hijri calendar and official holiday periods can differ between government, private-sector and financial institutions.
Saudi Arabia Public Holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 22 | Sunday | Founding Day |
| Mar 20 | Friday | Eid al-Fitr Moon |
| Mar 21 | Saturday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday Moon |
| Mar 22 | Sunday | Eid al-Fitr Holiday Moon |
| May 26 | Tuesday | Arafat Day / Eid al-Adha period Moon |
| May 27 | Wednesday | Eid al-Adha Moon |
| May 28 | Thursday | Eid al-Adha Holiday Moon |
| May 29 | Friday | Eid al-Adha Holiday Moon |
| Sep 23 | Wednesday | Saudi National Day |
Founding Day and National Day are fixed Gregorian dates. Eid dates follow the Hijri calendar and holiday periods can vary by sector; future religious dates remain subject to official confirmation.
Eid Holidays in Saudi Arabia 2026
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha create the longest holiday periods of the Saudi year. The exact leave window depends on the sector. Saudi Central Bank schedules, for example, publish specific closure periods for financial institutions, while employers and government entities may follow different official schedules.
How Public Holidays Work in Saudi Arabia
For Founding Day and National Day, Saudi rules provide replacement arrangements when the fixed date falls on certain weekend days. Eid leave is handled through official sector schedules rather than a single universal number of days for every worker.
Saudi Arabia Holiday Calendar: What to Know
- Saudi Founding Day is observed on 22 February each year.
- Saudi National Day is observed on 23 September each year.
- Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha holiday periods vary by sector and follow the Hijri calendar.
- Government, financial-market and private-sector holiday periods are not always identical.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Saudi Arabia's main public holidays?
The main nationwide holiday periods are Founding Day, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and Saudi National Day.
When is Saudi Founding Day?
Founding Day is observed on 22 February each year.
When is Saudi National Day?
Saudi National Day is observed on 23 September each year.
Can Eid holiday dates change?
Yes. Religious dates follow the Hijri calendar and official sector-specific holiday periods should be checked when announced.
Sources & methodology
View sources used for this page
Official financial-sector Eid schedules plus National Day and Founding Day rules.
Independent calendar cross-check used for date, weekday and observed-day review. Government notices and statutory rules take precedence where they differ.
Source hierarchy: government, statutory or institutional material is used as the primary reference where available. Timeanddate is retained only as an independent calendar cross-check. Later official declarations take precedence.