Saudi Arabia Public Holidays 2026
Saudi Arabia again keeps just 4 public holiday occasions in 2026. Eid al-Fitr begins on Friday March 20 after a full 30-day Ramadan — the private and non-profit sectors start their break at the end of the workday on Wednesday Mar 18. Arafat Day (Tue May 26) and Eid al-Adha (May 27–29) form the other big block, and Founding Day (Feb 22) plus National Day (Sep 23) are fixed dates. As always, weekends are Friday–Saturday and there is no substitute-day rule.
Public holiday occasions
4
Longest break
Eid al-Fitr · 5 days
Hijri-based holidays
2 (Eid ×2)
Fixed Gregorian holidays
2 (Feb 22, Sep 23)
2026 Saudi Arabia calendar
01January
02February
03March
04April
05May
06June
07July
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Saudi Arabia public holiday list
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 22, 2026 | Sunday | Saudi Founding DayFixed Gregorian holiday (first Saudi state founded in 1727). In 2026 it falls on Sunday — with no substitute-day rule, no weekday off is added.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| Mar 20 – 22 | Friday – | Eid al-FitrRamadan 1447 AH lasted the full 30 days (the Shawwal crescent was not sighted on Mar 18), so Eid al-Fitr begins Friday Mar 20, 2026. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development set the private and non-profit sector holiday from the end of the workday Wednesday Mar 18 through Saturday Mar 21; the public-sector break is generally Mar 20–22. Recheck the official announcement before finalising plans.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| May 26, 2026 | Tuesday | Arafat DayDhu al-Hijjah 9, 1447 AH, projected as Tuesday May 26, 2026 per the Umm al-Qura calendar (the official date follows the crescent sighting announcement by the Supreme Court).Public holiday | Public holiday |
| May 27 – 29 | Wednesday – | Eid al-AdhaDhu al-Hijjah 10–12, 1447 AH, projected as Wednesday May 27 to Friday May 29, 2026 — four consecutive days with Arafat Day. Some forecasters extend the public-sector break to Jun 1; confirm with the official announcement.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| September 23, 2026 | Wednesday | Saudi National DayFixed Gregorian holiday (unification of the Kingdom in 1932). In 2026 it falls on a Wednesday; no substitute day applies.Public holiday | Public holiday |
Saudi Arabia long weekends in 2026
Eid al-Fitr break
5 daysMar 18 – 22
Private and non-profit employees start at the end of the workday on Wed Mar 18 and return on Sun Mar 22 at the earliest; together with the Eid days (Fri–Sun Mar 20–22) this is a 4–5 day break. Public-sector dates may differ slightly.
Eid al-Adha break
4 daysMay 26 – 29
Arafat Day (Tue May 26) plus Eid al-Adha (Wed–Fri May 27–29) is a 4-day break; Friday May 29 is itself part of the weekend, so some workers are off through Saturday May 30.
The 2026 Eid al-Fitr announcement: who gets what
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced in March 2026 that the Eid al-Fitr holiday for private and non-profit sector employees begins at the end of the workday on Wednesday Mar 18 and lasts four days through Saturday Mar 21. The Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) suspended trading from the close on Monday Mar 16, reopening Tuesday Mar 24. Public-sector dates typically follow the same span; timeanddate lists the break as Mar 20–22, and some calendars extend it to Mar 23.
How the 2026 Eid al-Fitr date was actually set
The Saudi Supreme Court called for crescent sightings on Wednesday Mar 18, 2026 (the 29th of Ramadan 1447 AH). Astronomical calculations from Majmaah University's observatory had already shown the moon would set before the sun, making sighting impossible; indeed, no crescent was confirmed anywhere in the Kingdom. Ramadan therefore completed 30 days and the Supreme Court confirmed Friday Mar 20 as the first day of Eid al-Fitr — matching the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, which also observed Eid on Mar 20.
Planning around Saudi's Friday–Saturday rhythm
Because Saudi weekends are Friday–Saturday, a Sunday-starting holiday block (like Eid al-Fitr 2025) automatically extends through the weekend before it, while a mid-week holiday (like National Day on Wed Sep 23, 2026) stays a single day. With no substitute days and no Cabinet-style transfers, the calendar is simple but unforgiving: the best long breaks come from the two Eids and from pairing a fixed holiday with annual leave.
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Official sources & data
- Saudi Announces Eid Al-Fitr Private Sector & Stock Trading Holiday (Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development)Visit sourceCairoScene
- Eid Al Fitr 2026: crescent not sighted in Saudi Arabia, Eid confirmed on Friday Mar 20Visit sourceGulf News
- Today's and upcoming holidays in Saudi Arabia (2026 tentative dates)Visit sourcetimeanddate.com
- 2026年沙特阿拉伯节假日一览表（预测）Visit sourceRili.pro
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does Saudi Arabia have in 2026?+
Four public holiday occasions: Founding Day (Feb 22), Eid al-Fitr (Mar 20–22), Arafat Day plus Eid al-Adha (May 26–29) and National Day (Sep 23). With the Eid breaks counted, actual days off total roughly 10–11.
When is Eid al-Fitr 2026 in Saudi Arabia?+
Eid al-Fitr begins Friday March 20, 2026 — Ramadan 1447 AH lasted the full 30 days, confirmed by the Supreme Court after no crescent was sighted on Mar 18. The official holiday is Mar 20–22; private and non-profit employees start their break at the end of the workday on Wednesday Mar 18.
When is Eid al-Adha 2026 in Saudi Arabia?+
Per the Umm al-Qura calendar, Arafat Day falls on Tuesday May 26 and Eid al-Adha runs Wednesday May 27 to Friday May 29, 2026 — a 4-day break. The official dates will be confirmed by the Supreme Court after the Dhu al-Hijjah crescent sighting (around May 6–7).
Is the Islamic New Year a public holiday in Saudi Arabia?+
No. Saudi Arabia does not list the Islamic New Year or the Prophet's Birthday as paid public holidays — only Founding Day, Eid al-Fitr, Arafat Day with Eid al-Adha, and National Day. This differs from the UAE, where both are public holidays.
When is the Saudi National Day 2026?+
National Day is fixed on September 23 every year. In 2026 it falls on a Wednesday — a single day off, since Saudi Arabia has no substitute-day rule.
Does Saudi Arabia have substitute days when a holiday falls on a weekend?+
No. There is no substitute-day rule and no holiday-transfer mechanism like the UAE's Cabinet adjustments. In 2026, Founding Day falls on Sunday Feb 22 — a weekend day in Saudi — and is simply not compensated.
