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With a little over two months left in 2024, there’s still plenty of time to start prepping for the public holidays in Saudi Arabia, with 2025 already in sight.
While there are still a few events and seasonal holidays remaining in the Kingdom for this year, here at GRAZIA, we like to stay ahead of the curve. From Eid Al Fitr to National Day, we’re already thinking about next year’s calendar.
So, if you’re planning to make the most of your holidays in Saudi Arabia next year, bookmark this page. The GRAZIA team has compiled a complete guide to all the Saudi public holidays in 2025, so you can be fully prepared to plan your time off.
Saudi Founding Day
Since its inauguration in 2022, under the decree of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Founding Day is a day when the Kingdom of Saudi commemorates the historical foundation of the Saudi state. This occasion falls on February 22, which is a Saturday in 2025.
Flag Day
A full day to celebrate the national flag of Saudi falls on every March 11. It commemorates the change of the Saudi flag which was customised by the previous king, Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud, just around the time of the unification of Saudi dominions, al-Hasa, Qatif, Nejd and the Hejaz. The event will be observed on a Tuesday, though announcements on whether it is a working day or not are yet to be confirmed.
Eid Al Fitr
Eid Al Fitr, also known as the ‘Festival of Breaking the Fast’, marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and is a time for families to come together to exchange heartfelt greetings, gifts and marks a festive period in Islam. Depending on the sighting of the moon, Eid Al Fitr is anticipated to on March 31 to April 3, 2025.
Arafat day & Eid al Adha
Arafat Day is marked on Dhu Hijah 9 in the Islamic calendar and is celebrated as part of the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. It is followed by Eid Al Adha, or the ‘Festival of Sacrifice’, another important Islamic holiday that takes place from Dhu Hijah 10 to 12. In the Gregorian calendar it will fall in June.
Subject to the sighting of the moon, Arafat Day is likely to fall on Thursday, June 5, 2024, with the following day, June 6, to mark the beginning of Eid Al Adha. It’s likely to be a three-day break for those in the KSA as the holiday starts on a Thursday. This subsequently means returning to work will be on June 8, 2024 (subject to the lunar calendar). Commemorating the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son, this occasion involves prayers, reflection, and the sacrifice of livestock. The meat from the sacrificed animals is shared with family, friends, and the less fortunate, emphasizing the values of compassion and sharing.
National Day
Saudi National Day commemorates the unification in 1932 when the Kingdoms of Nejd and Hejaz merged to form what we now know as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The annual celebration is held every September 23 which falls on a Tuesday.
Saudi National Day serves as a moment of deep pride, with the country set to experience a myriad of festivities, from cultural events to spectacular fireworks and patriotic displays, all reflecting the Kingdom’s rich heritage, remarkable achievements, and future aspirations.
