Saudi Public Holidays & Working Week Explained

Whether you're new to the Kingdom or have lived here for years, understanding how the Saudi working week and public holidays are structured helps you plan work, travel, family time, and appointments with confidence. Saudi Arabia follows a clear rhythm: a Sunday-to-Thursday work pattern with a two-day weekend, plus a set of national and religious holidays spread across the year. This guide from سعودي ليفنج breaks down the essentials so you always know what to expect.

The Saudi working week at a glance

The standard working week in Saudi Arabia runs from Sunday to Thursday, with Friday and Saturday making up the weekend. This differs from the Monday-to-Friday pattern common in many Western countries, so it's worth adjusting your mindset when scheduling meetings, banking, or international calls.

• Sunday is the first day of the work week — treat it like a Monday.
• Thursday is the last working day before the weekend.
• Friday is the main day of rest and communal prayer, so many businesses open later or stay closed for part of the day.
• Saturday is generally quieter, with shorter hours in some government-linked services.

Public holidays in 2026

The Kingdom's calendar mixes fixed national dates with religious holidays tied to the lunar calendar. For 2026, the main public holidays are:

• Founding Day — 22 February (a fixed annual holiday).
• Eid al-Fitr — around 20–22 March, spanning three days.
• Arafat Day — 26 May.
• Eid al-Adha — around 27–29 May, spanning three days in addition to Arafat Day.
• Saudi National Day — 23 September (a fixed annual holiday).

Why Eid dates can shift

Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha depend on the Islamic lunar calendar and the official moon sighting, which means the dates listed above are tentative and can move by roughly a day in either direction. Official confirmation usually comes shortly before the holiday. If you're booking flights or planning time off, allow a little flexibility around the expected Eid windows rather than treating them as locked in.

• Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and typically includes several days off.
• Eid al-Adha follows the Hajj season and is preceded by Arafat Day, which is also a holiday.
• Watch for the official announcement close to the date to confirm the exact days.

Fixed national days you can count on

Two dates never shift, making them easy to plan around:

• Founding Day (22 February) celebrates the deep roots of the Saudi state and its heritage.
• Saudi National Day (23 September) marks the unification of the Kingdom and is one of the most widely celebrated occasions of the year, with events, decorations, and festivities across cities.

Flag Day: an observance, not a day off

You may see Flag Day listed on 11 March 2026. It's important to know this is an observance rather than an official national holiday — it's marked and celebrated, but it does not automatically mean a day off work or school. Always check with your employer or institution for how such observances are handled locally.

Practical tips for planning around holidays

• Schedule international meetings mid-week (Sunday–Thursday) to overlap with global partners on Monday–Thursday.
• For Eid, book travel early but keep some flexibility given the possible one-day shift.
• Government services and many businesses reduce hours or close during Eid — plan errands, renewals, and appointments before or after the holiday period.
• Confirm official holiday dates and any updates through the relevant Saudi government portals as the dates approach.

With a Sunday-to-Thursday rhythm and a predictable set of national days, life in the Kingdom becomes easy to plan once you know the pattern. Keep an eye on official announcements for Eid, mark the fixed national days on your calendar, and you'll navigate the Saudi year smoothly.

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