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Saudi National Day guide
Green and white across the Kingdom.
In short
Saudi National Day on 23 September marks the founding of the Kingdom in 1932, and in 2027 it falls on a Thursday next to the weekend, so expect a long break and busy roads. Flags go up days ahead and malls run offers early. Late September is still hot, so plan to join the crowds after dark.
On 23 September, Saudi Arabia marks the day in 1932 when King Abdulaziz ibn Saud renamed the Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The 2027 holiday falls on a Thursday, right against the Friday and Saturday weekend, so many residents get a long break.
The country goes green and white for days beforehand. Flags appear on cars and shopfronts, and the malls start their special offers early.
Late September is still hot almost everywhere, which is why the crowds come out after dark.
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Key Facts & Stats:
Where: Saudi Arabia
Held: Every year
Type of event: Cultural Events, National Day
Currency: Saudi riyal (SAR, SR)
Time zone: Arabia Standard Time, UTC+3
Language: Arabic
Getting around
Hotels near the venue fill up around the event dates.
A public holiday on 23 September every year
Always 23 September. It is an official public holiday, and the government confirms the exact days off for public and private sector workers shortly beforehand.
When King Faisal began marking the anniversary
The decree creating the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was proclaimed on 23 September 1932, by Prince Faisal. As king, Faisal first marked the anniversary at government level in 1965, and King Abdullah later made it a public holiday.
It is one of three non-religious national holidays. The others are Saudi Flag Day and Founding Day on 22 February, which goes back to the First Saudi State of 1727.
Green flags, lit landmarks and fireworks
- Green everywhere. Streets, cars and buildings are hung with flags, and people dress in green and white.
- At night, landmarks such as the Olaya towers in Riyadh are lit green.
- In the sky: drone light shows, fireworks, and air displays by the Saudi Falcons aerobatic team.
- Folk songs and dances turn up in squares, parks and malls.
Celebrations in Riyadh and Jeddah
Riyadh and Jeddah run the biggest programmes, along the main boulevards and waterfronts and in the entertainment districts. In Jeddah the evening crowds head for the corniche, and the city also has one of the tallest flagpoles in the world, unveiled in 2014. Smaller cities publish their own events a week or two ahead.
To plan the days either side, use our guide to places to visit in Saudi Arabia. Heading to the holy cities, read our Medina guide.
Traffic, crowds and dress code on the night
Traffic is heavy and restaurants are full on the night itself. Because so many residents travel over the long weekend, book hotels and domestic flights early.
Dress modestly in public. Wearing green is welcome. Handle flags with care: the Saudi flag carries the Islamic declaration of faith.
Etiquette and dress
Wear green
Green and white clothing is a welcome way to join in, and you will see it everywhere.
Dress modestly
Even at a party, cover shoulders and knees; loose, long clothes suit the heat too.
The flag
The Saudi flag carries the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith. Handle it with care, never let it touch the ground and do not wear it as clothing.
Booking hotels and flights early for the long weekend
National Day is the country's biggest patriotic holiday, and many residents use it for a long weekend away. Book early. Hotels and domestic flights fill well ahead, and be ready for jammed roads and crowded restaurants on the night itself. Celebrations and special offers often begin a few days before the date.
Late September is still hot across most of Saudi Arabia, so the evening events are the most comfortable to attend. Our Saudi Arabia travel guide is a good starting point for the rest of your stay.
National Day 2027 falls on a Thursday
The date never moves: the holiday is held on 23 September every year. The 2026 celebration has already passed, so the next one falls on Thursday 23 September 2027. Since it sits right before the Friday and Saturday weekend, many people will get an extended break.
As an official public holiday, the government confirms which days public and private sector staff get off shortly beforehand. Smaller cities usually publish their own programmes a week or two ahead, so check local announcements if you are not in Riyadh or Jeddah.
The 1932 decree that founded the Kingdom
The day goes back to 23 September 1932, when Prince Faisal read out the decree of King Abdulaziz ibn Saud that turned the Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Official commemoration began under King Faisal, who first marked the anniversary officially in 1965, and it became a public holiday later, under King Abdullah. Along with Saudi Flag Day and Founding Day, it is one of three national holidays that are not religious.
Green and white flags go up everywhere. After dark, landmarks such as the Olaya towers in Riyadh are lit green. Look up for the drone light shows and the Saudi Falcons air displays, then down at the squares and malls, where folk songs and dances fill the evening.
Getting there
On the night
Roads are jammed, so allow plenty of time to reach a viewing spot for the fireworks or drone shows. Taxis and ride-hailing apps beat trying to park near the main events.
Domestic travel
Many residents leave for the long weekend, so book domestic flights and trains early.
Where to stay during the festival
We have no hotels listed in Saudi Arabia yet. The ones below are in Mecca and Medina, so treat them as a base for the wider trip. The next date is 23 September 2027. Book as soon as your dates are fixed, since rooms close to the festival are the first to go.
Mecca
Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel5-star hotel
No reviews yet
from$360.00/ night
- Internet – Wifi
- Airport shuttle
- Parking
10 Rooms available
Book Now
Madina
Anwar Al Madinah Mövenpick Hotel5-star hotel
No reviews yet
from$172.00/ night
- Free WiFi
- Airport shuttle
- Parking
10 Rooms available
Book Now
Riyadh
Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre5-star hotel
No reviews yet
from$480.00/ night
- Internet – Wifi
- Airport shuttle
- Swimming pool
5 Rooms available
Book Now
Jeddah
The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah5-star hotel
No reviews yet
from$217.00/ night
- Internet – Wifi
- Airport shuttle
- Parking
4 Rooms available
Book Now
AlUla
Banyan Tree AlUla5-star hotel
No reviews yet
from$1,000.00/ night
- Internet – Wifi
- Airport shuttle
- Swimming pool
4 Rooms available
Book Now
Weather and what to pack
Late September is still hot across much of Saudi Arabia. In Riyadh average highs are around 39 to 40°C, nights stay near 24°C, and rain is almost unknown in the month.
The main fireworks and parades happen after dark, which is also the most comfortable time to be outside.
Worth packing
- Light, loose clothing that covers shoulders and knees
- Water for the evening crowds
- Sunscreen and a hat for any daytime outings
Car hire in Saudi Arabia
Airport transfer to Saudi National Day
Met at arrivals and driven door to door to Saudi Arabia.
Restaurants and food in Saudi Arabia
Places to eat in Saudi Arabia before or after the celebrations.
Maraya Social
Rooftop, Maraya Concert Hall, Ashar Valley, Al Otheeb 43536, AlUla, Saudi Arabia
Cuisine:Modern EuropeanSharing plates
- Dine-in
- Outdoor seating
- Bar
Al Basali Seafood
Suq Bab Makkah, Al Balad, Jeddah 22236, Saudi Arabia
Cuisine:SeafoodHejazi
- Dine-in
- Takeaway
Kuuru
Al Malik Road, Al Khalidiyyah, Jeddah 23422, Saudi Arabia
Cuisine:JapanesePeruvian
- Dine-in
- Counter seating
- Bar
Marble
Turki Square, Makkah Al Mukarramah Branch Road, Umm Al Hamam Al Sharqi, Riyadh 12321, Saudi Arabia
Cuisine:SteakhouseBarbecue
- Dine-in
Najd Village
Al Olaya, King Fahd District, Riyadh 12262, Saudi Arabia
Cuisine:SaudiNajdi
- Dine-in
- Private room
- Outdoor seating
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General
Yes, 23 September is a public holiday for public and private sector workers. When it falls close to the weekend, the government sometimes adds an extra day off.
Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and many other cities hold fireworks shows on the evening of the 23rd. Exact sites are announced by the General Entertainment Authority and local authorities shortly before.
Yes. Shops, restaurants and airlines run offers, often with prices linked to the anniversary number. They usually start a few days before the holiday.
It is festive, but hot, and domestic flights and hotels are busy. If you want quieter sightseeing, come in winter and treat National Day as an extra.
The General Entertainment Authority publishes a theme and slogan each year. The identity appears across the country on banners and adverts.
Celebrations are friendly but loud. Respect police directions, avoid driving where traffic is jammed, and don't join in car stunts or blocked-road gatherings.
Riyadh has the largest celebrations and air shows, while Jeddah offers the corniche and a sea breeze. Both get very crowded, so set off early.
Timing & weather
23 September marks the day in 1932 when King Abdulaziz proclaimed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It became an official paid public holiday in 2005 under King Abdullah.
Booking
Street celebrations, fireworks and air shows are free. Concerts and some themed events need tickets, which are sold through official platforms in the weeks before.
Families & accessibility
Yes, with care. Daytime family events and parks are fine, but evening crowds can be dense. Keep young children close and agree on a meeting point.
Stay & facilities
Malls, restaurants and entertainment venues stay open and are busy, while government offices and banks close. Book popular restaurants ahead for the evening.