Saudi Public Holidays & Working Week Explained 2026

Whether you're settling into a new job or planning your year in the Kingdom, understanding the Saudi working week and public holiday calendar helps you organise everything from meetings to family travel. This guide from سعودي ليفنج breaks down the standard schedule, typical office hours, and the official public holidays for 2026 so you can plan with confidence. As always, confirm the exact dates each year through your employer's HR department and official Saudi government channels, since Islamic holidays depend on moon sighting and may shift by a day.

The Saudi working week: Sunday to Thursday

The standard working week in Saudi Arabia runs from Sunday to Thursday, with Friday and Saturday as the weekend. This applies to government entities and most private-sector employers. Following the official shift of the weekend from Thursday–Friday to Friday–Saturday, Thursday is now treated as a regular working day for the vast majority of organisations.

This alignment makes it easier to coordinate with international partners while keeping Friday — the main day of congregational prayer — as part of the weekend.

Typical office hours

Most offices operate on roughly an eight-hour working day, excluding breaks. A common schedule looks like this:

• Working days: Sunday to Thursday
• Typical hours: 08:00–17:00 local time
• Daily duration: around eight hours of work, plus break time

Actual hours vary by sector. Retail, hospitality, healthcare, and shift-based industries often follow different patterns, and many businesses adjust hours during Ramadan. Always check your specific contract and company policy.

Public holidays in 2026 at a glance

In 2026, employees covered by the Labor Law can expect four official public holiday occasions, adding up to roughly 9–10 paid days depending on how Arafat Day is counted:

• Founding Day
• Eid al-Fitr
• Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha
• Saudi National Day

Founding Day — Sunday, 22 February 2026

Founding Day is observed as a one-day national holiday across the Kingdom, falling on Sunday, 22 February 2026. It commemorates the establishment of the first Saudi state and is marked with cultural celebrations, heritage displays, and community events nationwide.

Eid al-Fitr — 20–22 March 2026

Eid al-Fitr celebrates the end of Ramadan. In 2026:

• The main Eid day is Friday, 20 March 2026.
• The public holiday span is 20–22 March 2026 (Friday–Sunday), giving most employees 3 days of Eid al-Fitr holidays.

Under the Labor Law framework, paid Eid al-Fitr leave is defined as four days starting from the day after the 29th of Ramadan in the Umm al-Qura calendar, which usually creates a multi-day break overlapping these Gregorian dates. Because the exact days depend on the confirmed start of the month, treat these as planning dates and confirm closer to the time.

Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha — 26–29 May 2026

Eid al-Adha coincides with the Hajj season and is one of the year's most significant occasions. In 2026:

• Arafat Day (9 Dhul Hijjah) falls on Tuesday, 26 May 2026 and is treated as a public holiday.
• Eid al-Adha (first day) is on Wednesday, 27 May 2026.
• Additional Eid days are Thursday 28 May and Friday 29 May 2026, giving a block of four days (26–29 May 2026) in many calendars.

For workers covered by the Labor Law, the statutory Eid al-Adha leave is four days starting on Arafat Day.

Saudi National Day — Wednesday, 23 September 2026

Saudi National Day marks the unification of the Kingdom and falls on Wednesday, 23 September 2026. It is a one-day national public holiday, though some government schedules may adjust surrounding working days. Expect fireworks, national celebrations, and events across major cities.

Planning tips for residents

• Islamic holiday dates depend on moon sighting, so treat Gregorian dates as approximate until officially confirmed.
• Public and private sectors may differ slightly in how holidays are applied — check with your HR team.
• Travel and hotels book up fast around both Eids; plan early if you're heading out.
• Confirm your entitlements through official Saudi government portals and your employment contract.

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