Public Holidays in Saudi Arabia 2026: A Complete Guide for Employees and Employers

Understanding public holidays in Saudi Arabia is more important than most people realize for anyone working or running a business. These breaks do more than just give us time away from the office. They influence how we organize our personal lives and how companies maintain their daily operations.

As soon as January hits, the search for holiday dates begins. Planning the upcoming year often starts with this exact information. On which dates will Eid celebrations occur? Is there room for a getaway? When’s the right time to reserve travel tickets? At the same time, business owners work on scheduling their workforce and ensuring smooth operations when employees take their time off.

This resource covers all the essential information about Saudi public holidays in 2026. You’ll find details using both the Hijri and Gregorian calendar systems, along with a clear explanation of what the Saudi labor regulations actually guarantee you.

What Are Public Holidays in Saudi Arabia?

What qualifies as a public holiday in Saudi Arabia? The government designates these specific dates as official rest days. During these periods, government institutions shut down, the majority of private businesses halt their activities, and employees continue receiving their usual wages.

Business activity in both government departments and most private enterprises comes to a stop during these occasions. Workers maintain their complete compensation regardless. The occasions connect to significant moments; religious observance,s and national celebrations that carry deep meaning within Saudi culture.

National authorities like the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development establish these holiday dates. They make public announcements well beforehand to give everyone adequate preparation time.

Public Holiday Calendar in Saudi Arabia 2026 (Hijri and Gregorian)

Some public holidays follow the Hijri calendar and depend on moon sighting. This applies mainly to Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Their Gregorian dates are expected but not final until officially confirmed.

Holiday Name	Hijri Date	Expected Gregorian Date	Duration
Eid al-Fitr	1–3 Shawwal 1447	20–22 March 2026	4 days
Eid al-Adha	9–12 Dhu al-Hijjah 1447	26–29 May 2026	4 days
Founding Day (Saudi Arabia)	5 Ramadan 1447	22 February 2026	1 day
Saudi National Day	12 Rabi’ II 1448	23 September 2026	1 day

These holidays apply to both public and private sector employees across the kingdom, with limited exceptions based on work requirements.

Details of Public Holidays in Saudi Arabia 2026

Let’s take a closer look at each public holiday in 2026. Each holiday has its own significance, whether religious, like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, or national, like Founding Day and National Day.

Eid al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr kicks off on the first of Shawwal, right after the new moon is spotted (which determines whether Ramadan was 29 or 30 days).

You get four days off, and yes, you’re paid the whole time, whether you work for the government or a private company.

It’s the celebration that marks the end of Ramadan. After a full month of fasting and spiritual focus, people finally get to relax, celebrate, and reconnect with family.

Eid al-Adha

This is the longest break of the year. It begins on the Day of Arafah (the ninth of Dhu al-Hijjah) and continues for four days.

This festival has a profound religious significance because of its association with the Hajj ceremonies. Beyond its religious significance, Eid al-Adha is a social festival in which families congregate to see relatives.

Because it usually occurs during the summer, many individuals take advantage of the prolonged vacation to travel or simply recharge.

Saudi National Day

Every year on September 23rd, Saudi Arabia celebrates National Day. It commemorates 1932, when King Abdulaziz unified the Kingdom.

It’s a single day off, but it’s packed with national pride. You’ll see celebrations and events throughout the country, with people from all walks of life joining in.

Founding Day

Every year on February 22, people celebrate Founding Day, which commemorates the founding of the first Saudi state in 1727. Additionally, it is a public holiday for one day.

Founding Day emphasizes the historical foundations of the Saudi state, whilst National Day concentrates on the unification of the contemporary Kingdom. Both festivals have significant national and historical importance when combined.

Are There Other Public Holidays in Saudi Arabia?

In addition to the main holidays, there are other religious occasions such as the Islamic New Year and the Prophet’s Birthday. These occasions are respected socially and religiously, but are not classified as official public holidays.

Employees are not entitled to paid leave on these days unless their employer chooses otherwise. The difference lies in official approval. Public holidays are confirmed by the government and apply to all sectors with full pay. 

Social or religious occasions may be observed personally, but do not stop work nationwide. Understanding this distinction helps employees plan leave more accurately and avoid confusion.

Saudi Labor Regulations Regarding Public Holidays

Saudi labor law protects your right to time off and makes sure you’re treated fairly. Public holidays are actually baked into the whole work-life balance framework.

Understanding these rights helps you protect yourself and helps employers stay on the right side of the law.

Employee Rights for Paid Holidays

• All employees in both public and private sectors are entitled to paid leave during official public holidays.
• According to Article 112 of the labor law, every worker has the right to paid leave on holidays and official occasions.
• This applies to all contract types, including:
  • Fixed-term contracts
  • Unlimited-term contracts
  • Seasonal, temporary, and casual contracts under Article 6

Working During Public Holidays and Compensation

• If an employee must work during a public holiday:
  • The employee must be informed in advance
  • The work is considered overtime under Article 107
  • Compensation includes the hourly wage plus an additional 50 percent, or paid compensatory leave by agreement

Holidays Overlapping With Other Leave

• Weekly rest: Employees are compensated for overlapping days before or after the holiday
• Annual leave: Extended by the number of overlapping public holiday days
• Sick leave: Employees receive full pay for holidays overlapping with sick days
• Exceptions: If National Day overlaps with Eid holidays, no extra compensation is provided
• Hajj leave: Eid al-Adha holidays count towards Hajj leave (Article 114)

Public vs. Private Sector: What’s Different?

Public holidays apply everywhere, but how they’re handled can vary a bit.

Government holidays tend to be more predictable and consistent. Private companies might handle things slightly differently depending on what kind of business they run, but they still have to respect the official number of holiday days.

Before you book that trip or make personal plans, double-check your company’s specific policies. It’ll save you headaches later.

Getting the Most Out of Your 2026 Holidays

With some thoughtful planning, you can turn public holidays into real opportunities to rest and recharge without creating chaos at work.

• Start planning now: Look at the holiday dates early. Try combining them with your annual leave to create longer breaks without burning through all your vacation days.
• Wrap up loose ends: Finish important projects and hand off anything urgent before the holiday begins. You’ll leave with a clear head and come back without drowning in backlog.
• Set yourself up for return: Sketch out a basic plan for your first day back. Just knowing what to tackle first makes returning to work way less stressful.
• Actually rest: These holidays exist so you can slow down. Spend real time with family, do absolutely nothing if you want, or dive into hobbies you never have time for.
• Don’t procrastinate: Avoid the trap of leaving urgent stuff until the day before the holiday. Getting it done early means you can actually enjoy your time off instead of stressing about work.
• Make it count: Use these breaks for short trips or activities you’ve been putting off. Even a brief change of scenery can completely refresh your energy and perspective.

Conclusion

Public holidays in Saudi Arabia in 2026 provide important chances for rest and balance. Knowing the dates and understanding legal rights supports better planning for both employees and employers.

For those seeking workplaces that respect employee rights and support work-life balance, exploring job opportunities and career content on WUZZUF Saudi can help with confident career decisions.

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