Saudi Arabia will observe a mix of fixed-date national holidays and Islamic holidays in 2026. Islamic holiday dates are provisional and will be officially confirmed based on moon sighting and government announcements.
Fixed-Date National Holidays
- Founding Day — Sunday, 22 February 2026
Marks the establishment of the first Saudi state (1727). - Saudi National Day — Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Commemorates the 1932 unification of the Kingdom.
National Observances (Time Off Subject to Official Announcement)
- Saudi Flag Day — Wednesday, 11 March 2026
Widely marked across the Kingdom; whether it is a paid public holiday depends on official guidance.
Islamic Holidays (Tentative – Moon Sighting Dependent)
- Ramadan begins — expected around 17–18 February 2026 (not a public holiday)
Working hours are typically reduced across many sectors. - Eid al-Fitr — expected to begin 19–20 March 2026
A multi-day holiday marking the end of Ramadan. - Arafat Day — expected Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Observed during the Hajj season and typically a public holiday. - Eid al-Adha — expected to begin Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Public sector breaks are often longer than private sector holidays.
“Islamic holiday dates are tentative and will be confirmed by Saudi authorities based on moon sighting and official announcements.”
Additional Observance
- Islamic New Year (Muharram) — expected Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Observed nationally; paid time off varies depending on official announcements.
Planning Notes
- Public vs private sector: Eid holiday durations often differ by sector and employer.
- Official confirmation: Always refer to updates from the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) for final dates and holiday entitlements.
