Saudi Arabia has 5 public holidays throughout the year. These are Saudi Founding Day, Eid al-Fitr, Arafat Day, Eid al-Adha and Saudi National Day. In this guide, we cover handy information about each holiday, when they are held and which cities they are celebrated in.
Saudi Founding Day, officially known as "Yom ut-Taswis" in Arabic, is a national holiday in Saudi Arabia that commemorates the establishment of the first Saudi state. It's celebrated annually on 22nd February.
The entire kingdom of Saudi Arabia takes part in the festivities of Founding Day. Public celebrations and events are held nationwide in major cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Medina, but many towns and villages also organise their own local celebrations.
The day is usually filled with a strong sense of national pride. People wear the Saudi national dress and decorate their homes and streets with green and white, Saudi's national colours. There are traditional performances like music, dance and poetry recitals, and in the evening, you can expect to see spectacular firework displays and light shows creating a festive atmosphere!
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Eid al-Fitr, also known as the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", marks the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan - a time of fasting, prayer and reflection for Muslims worldwide. The exact date of Eid al-Fitr varies each year as the Islamic calendar is lunar-based. In 2024, Eid al-Fitr took place on 10th April, however, in 2025 it will most likely happen at the very end of March.
Eid al-Fitr begins after the sighting of the crescent moon following Ramadan. In Saudi Arabia, religious authorities will officially announce the sighting and the start of the holiday. It's a nationwide celebration, with every city and town coming alive with festivities.
Some of the most popular cities to celebrate Eid al-Fitr include Mecca, Medina, Riyadh, Jeddah and Al-Ahsa. Mecca and Medina are holy cities that are restricted to Muslims during Hajj, while Riyadh and Jeddah host large-scale Eid prayers, festivities and fireworks displays. Al-Ahsa is a historic oasis town, so you can expect more traditional celebrations here during Eid.
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Arafat Day, also known as Yom Al-Arafah, is an Islamic holiday that falls on the ninth day of Dhu al-Hiijah, the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It's the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage which is a once-in-a-lifetime journey carried out by Muslims to Mecca. Arafat Day can still be celebrated by those not performing Hajj.
This day is believed to be the day when Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon on the Plain of Arafat - a large, barren plain 20 kilometres east of Mecca. The sermon focused on themes of forgiveness, equality and righteousness. During Hajj, pilgrims spend the entirety of Arafat Day at the Plain of Arafat in a state of prayer.
The exact date of Arafat Day changes each year based on the Islamic lunar calendar. In 2024, it's expected to be observed around mid-June.
The closest airport to the Plain of Arafat is Jeddah International Airport. Book flights to Jeddah with Alternative Airlines and fly with Saudia, Flynas and more.
Eid al-Adha, otherwise known as the "Festival of Sacrifice", is a major Islamic holiday celebrated worldwide, including Saudi Arabia. It marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage and commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God. The exact date of Eid al-Adha changes each year depending on the Islamic lunar calendar. In 2024, it is expected to fall on 16th June.
Many Saudi families participate in the tradition of sacrificing a sheep or goat, then dividing the meat into 3 parts: one for family, one for friends and neighbours and one for the less fortunate. Eid al-Adha usually begins with a special prayer at dawn on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah - it's a day filled with feasting, gift-giving and visiting family and friends.
Eid al-Adha is a nationwide celebration in Saudi Arabia, but some popular spots to celebrate include Mecca, Medina, Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. You can book flights to cities in Saudi Arabia right here at Alternative Airlines, thanks to the 600+ global airlines we ticket including Saudia and Flynas.
Saudi National Day, also known as Al-Yaom Al-Watani, is a public holiday in Saudi Arabia commemorating the unification of the Kingdom in 1932. King Abdulaziz ibn Saud issued a royal decree on 23rd September that year, officially establishing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi National Day is therefore celebrated annually on 23rd September.
All of Saudi Arabia celebrates National Day. In major cities like Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, grand parades with floats take place, fireworks displays light up the night sky and the streets are decorated with the Saudi flag. Smaller towns and villages organise their own celebrations with music, dance and traditional games.
With 600+ global airlines on our site, including Riyadh Air and Nesma Airlines, you can book flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam or any city of your choice in Saudi Arabia through Alternative Airlines.
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There are 5 major holidays celebrated in Saudi Arabia. These are:
Since these Saudi holidays follow the Islamic lunar calendar, their dates change annually. A good resource is the official Saudi tourism website which publishes upcoming holiday dates.
Yes. You can expect higher flight prices and limited availability during these holidays, especially for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, as these are the major travel periods for Saudi residents. National Day also sees a slight increase in travel demand. We recommend booking your flights at least 6 months in advance to grab the best flights for you.
At Alternative Airlines, you can spread the cost of your flights over time using one of our flexible Buy Now Pay Later payment options available at checkout. If you're a Saudi resident, you'll be able to use Tabby or Tamara, which are Shariah-compliant payment methods. Other pay-later options include Afterpay, Klarna and Postpay.
