Your 2024 Guide to Public Holidays in Saudi Arabia
This year’s public holidays add up to nine total days off, celebrating four different occasions.
As we begin to emerge from this wintry season, and dreams of days spent doing anything other than working fill our minds, the promise of post-Ramadan public holidays looms large. We’ve put together a list of Saudi Arabia’s four confirmed public holidays, comprising nine total decadent days off, so you can start planning those long weekends, and apply for tactical time off to make the most of your work leave.
Though some dates are yet to be confirmed until specific lunar sightings, your excitement need not wait. Have a flick through our list and revel in the prospect of over two work-weeks worth of holiday…
Eid Al Fitr
Tuesday April 10th - Friday April 13th
Commemorating the end of Ramadan, you’ll have four whole days to decompress after a month of late nights and early mornings. Enjoy the festivities, the food, and some time off with family and friends.
Arafah Day
Saturday June 15th
Arafah Day is celebrated on the eve of Eid Al Adha, the second day of Hajj. On this day, pilgrims make their way to Mount Arafah, where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave one of his last sermons.
Eid Al Adha
Sunday June 16th - Tuesday June 18th
Also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, Eid Al Adha is the second of the two major celebrations in the Islamic calendar. The three day celebration honours Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail, as an act of obedience to God’s command.
Saudi National Day
Monday September 23rd
Saudi National Day is celebrated to commemorate the renaming of the Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932, through a royal decree by the founding King Abdulaziz ibn Saud, thus establishing Saudi Arabia as we know it today.