Saudi Arabia Public Holidays 2025
Saudi Arabia keeps a deliberately short public-holiday list: just 4 occasions in 2025. Founding Day (Feb 22) and National Day (Sep 23) are fixed dates; Eid al-Fitr runs Mar 30–Apr 2 (a 6-day break with the Friday–Saturday weekend), and Arafat Day plus Eid al-Adha give 4 days off from Jun 5–8. Saudi weekends are Friday–Saturday, and holidays that fall on a weekend are not moved — there is no substitute-day rule.
Public holiday occasions
4
Longest break
Eid al-Fitr · 6 days
Hijri-based holidays
2 (Eid ×2)
Fixed Gregorian holidays
2 (Feb 22, Sep 23)
2025 Saudi Arabia calendar
01January
02February
03March
04April
05May
06June
07July
08August
09September
10October
11November
12December
Saudi Arabia public holiday list
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 22, 2025 | Saturday | Saudi Founding DayFixed Gregorian holiday established in 2022, marking the founding of the first Saudi state in 1727. In 2025 it falls on Saturday — Saudi has no substitute-day rule, so no weekday off is added.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| Mar 30 – Apr 2 | Sunday – | Eid al-FitrThe Royal Court confirmed Sunday Mar 30 as the first day of Eid al-Fitr 1446 AH after the Shawwal crescent was sighted. The official holiday runs Mar 30–Apr 2 (4 days); work resumes Thursday Apr 3. With the Friday–Saturday weekend before it, the actual break spans Mar 28–Apr 2.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| June 5, 2025 | Thursday | Arafat DayDhu al-Hijjah 9, 1446 AH. The Saudi Supreme Court confirmed May 28 as the first day of Dhu al-Hijjah, placing Arafat Day on Thursday Jun 5.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| Jun 6 – 8 | Friday – | Eid al-AdhaDhu al-Hijjah 10–12, 1446 AH — Friday Jun 6 to Sunday Jun 8. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced a 4-day holiday (Jun 5–8) for private and non-profit sectors, with Arafat Day as the first day.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| September 23, 2025 | Tuesday | Saudi National DayFixed Gregorian holiday commemorating the unification of the Kingdom in 1932. In 2025 it falls on a Tuesday; no substitute day applies.Public holiday | Public holiday |
Saudi Arabia long weekends in 2025
Eid al-Fitr break
6 daysMar 28 – Apr 2
The Friday–Saturday weekend (Mar 28–29) flows straight into the 4-day Eid holiday (Mar 30–Apr 2): six days off for most workers, with work resuming Thursday Apr 3.
Eid al-Adha break
4 daysJun 5 – 8
Arafat Day (Thu Jun 5) plus Eid al-Adha (Fri–Sun Jun 6–8): a 4-day break covering the Friday–Saturday weekend, per the ministry announcement.
Just 4 public holidays: the deliberately lean Saudi list
Saudi Arabia has one of the shortest public-holiday lists in the Gulf: Founding Day (Feb 22), Eid al-Fitr, Arafat Day with Eid al-Adha, and National Day (Sep 23). Islamic New Year and the Prophet's Birthday are widely observed as religious occasions, but they are not paid public holidays in the Kingdom. The two Eids are the only Hijri-based public holidays, and their dates follow the Supreme Court's moon-sighting announcements.
In 2025 the two fixed dates both fall on weekend-adjacent or plain weekdays: Founding Day lands on Saturday Feb 22 (no substitute day), and National Day on Tuesday Sep 23. Since there is no substitution rule, employees simply enjoy the single day — or combine it with annual leave.
How Eid dates are set in Saudi Arabia: Supreme Court and moon sighting
The Saudi Supreme Court convenes on the 29th of each Hijri month to call for crescent sightings. When the crescent is confirmed, the Court issues a statement (relayed by the Saudi Press Agency) fixing the start of the new month. Eid al-Fitr 1446 AH was confirmed as Sunday Mar 30, 2025; the Dhu al-Hijjah crescent was confirmed on May 28, putting Arafat Day on Jun 5 and Eid al-Adha on Jun 6–8.
Friday–Saturday weekend: how Saudi holidays differ from the UAE
Saudi Arabia keeps a Friday–Saturday weekend, while the UAE (and most Gulf neighbours) moved to Saturday–Sunday. This matters for Eid breaks: Eid al-Fitr 2025 starts on a Sunday, so the Saudi Friday–Saturday weekend (Mar 28–29) runs straight into the 4-day holiday for a 6-day break — a pattern that recurs whenever Eid falls on a Sunday or Monday.
Unlike the UAE, Saudi Arabia has no Cabinet-style holiday-transfer rule and no substitute days: a public holiday on a weekend is simply that. For travelers, the practical upshot is that government offices and many businesses in Saudi close on Friday–Saturday every week, so weekend planning there follows a different rhythm than in Dubai.
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Official sources & data
- Saudi Arabia Declares March 30, 2025, as Eid Al Fitr (Royal Court announcement)Visit sourceSohu (quoting Royal Court / SPA)
- Eid 2025 Crescent Moon Sighting: Saudi Arabia four-day break Mar 30–Apr 2Visit sourceSohu (quoting SPA)
- 沙特阿拉伯人力资源和社会发展部门：私营和非营利部门宰牲节四天假期（6月5日至8日）Visit sourceBaidu News (quoting Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development)
- Holidays and Observances in Saudi Arabia in 2025Visit sourcetimeanddate.com
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does Saudi Arabia have in 2025?+
Four public holiday occasions: Founding Day (Feb 22), Eid al-Fitr (Mar 30–Apr 2), Arafat Day plus Eid al-Adha (Jun 5–8) and National Day (Sep 23). Counted as days off, the Eid breaks bring the total to about 10–11 days in 2025.
When is Eid al-Fitr 2025 in Saudi Arabia?+
The Royal Court confirmed Sunday March 30, 2025 as the first day of Eid al-Fitr. The official holiday runs Mar 30–Apr 2, and with the Friday–Saturday weekend before it most workers enjoy a 6-day break (Mar 28–Apr 2); work resumes Thursday Apr 3.
When is Eid al-Adha 2025 in Saudi Arabia?+
Arafat Day is Thursday June 5 and Eid al-Adha runs Friday June 6 to Sunday June 8, 2025. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced a 4-day holiday (Jun 5–8) for private and non-profit sectors.
Is the Saudi weekend Friday–Saturday?+
Yes. Saudi Arabia has kept a Friday–Saturday weekend since 2013 (when it shortened the previous Thursday–Friday weekend). This differs from the UAE, which uses Saturday–Sunday — a distinction that affects how Eid breaks and long weekends line up in the two countries.
What is Saudi Founding Day and when is it in 2025?+
Founding Day (Yawm Al-Ta'sees), established by royal decree in 2022, marks the founding of the first Saudi state by Imam Muhammad bin Saud in 1727. It is a fixed holiday on February 22 every year — Saturday Feb 22, 2025.
What happens when a Saudi public holiday falls on a weekend?+
Nothing extra happens — Saudi Arabia has no substitute-day rule. In 2025, Founding Day falls on Saturday Feb 22 and is simply lost as a weekday off; National Day (Tue Sep 23) is the only fixed holiday that gives a normal weekday off.
