Miss a major break in Riyadh and your entire quarterly schedule takes a direct hit. Keeping tabs on the official public holidays in Saudi Arabia is not just an HR formality—it is the only reliable way to keep deliverables on track without running into locked office doors.
The state days and public holidays are set in the nation. Leave policies of all companies are determined by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD). Public offices as well as private companies are bound by explicit laws regarding paid time off, overtime pay, and weekend shifts.
It’s a very simple guide that features all the national breaks alongside prospective dates and laws with labor involved.
Below, the main national and Islamic breaks for 2026 are listed in table format. Islamic dates are based on several official moon sightings by the Saudi Supreme Court.
Holiday Name | Estimated Date (2026) | Hijri Date (1447–1448 AH) | Days Off | Who Gets It |
Saudi Founding Day | Sunday, 22 February 2026 | 5 Sha’ban 1447 | 1 Day | Public & Private |
Eid al-Fitr | 20 Mar (Friday) — 23 Mar (Monday), 2026 | 1–4 Shawwal 1447 | 4 Days (Minimum) | Public & Private |
Arafat Day & Eid al-Adha | Tuesday 26 May – Friday 29 May 2026 | 9–12 Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 | 4 Days (Minimum) | Public & Private |
Saudi National Day | Wednesday, 23 September 2026 | 12 Rabi’ al-Thani 1448 | 1 Day | Public & Private |
This simple Saudi Arabia holiday calendar allows teams to plan work, payroll and tasks in advance.
There are only four official events at which all offices across the Kingdom come to a standstill.
What is Founding Day — observing the beginning of Saudi Arabia’s first state from 1727 It is a static national day that occurs every year on 22 February. The whole day sees a complete halt in operation from all private firms, state offices, banks and even schools.
Eid al-Fitr begins as soon as the month of Ramadan wraps up. Just after the moon is seen, it opens a break. Public sector offices close down for long periods and private companies get standard set paid days.
Hajj is performed every year during the time of Eid al-Adha to Mecca. The holiday starts on Arafat day and continues for the next three days. For trade and transport, it’s the longest work break of the year.
It is observed every year on 23 September as a national day. It signifies the unification of the Kingdom in 1932. The city has mega shows, broadcasts and corporate events all day.
These are the core holidays that all businesses in Saudi Arabia must abide by.
Different lengths for breaks at state offices and private firms.
Plaintext
Public Sector: Long holidays (usually 7-10 days during Eid)
Private Sector: Minimum 4 day leave by law for each Eid
The following are the main rules regarding holidays in the Saudi private sector.
According to Article 112 of the Saudi Labor Law, private companies must provide paid leave in full for each public holiday.
Being aware of Saudi private sector holiday regulations protects your company from labor penalties.
Saudi Arabia has other cultural days where shops and offices stay open.
Mandates like tech, transport, care and guards have to keep running 24/7 on holidays. As an example, companies have complete and explicit wage regulations that apply when employees work on official Saudi holidays.
In Saudi Labor Law, working on a holiday is considered extra work as per Article 107:
Not paying holiday rates or not allowing a day off can lead to hefty penalties from labour inspectors.
Foreign firms that pace to avoid disruption during a long holiday break:
Here it is a simple checklist that you could use to keep your firm on track all year:
Yes. In accordance with Article 112 (Full paid leave in official holidays) of the Saudi Labor Law, all public and private continuous workers are entitled to full basic salary on fixed holidays.
Staff who have National Day on a Friday also get Thursday off. And if that falls on a Saturday, staff also get the following Sunday off.
Yes, if urgent work needs it. But they help enforce the law, which requires that firms provide overtime pay or a different day off.
Yes. against Holiday leave are the same for every legal employee in the Kingdom.
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