Saudi Arabia has confirmed Wednesday, September 23, 2026, as the National Day holiday for employees in the private and non-profit sectors. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced the date, giving workers a statutory day off to mark the Kingdom’s 96th National Day. The announcement is also relevant to UAE residents travelling to Saudi Arabia, businesses operating across the GCC and companies planning around the September holiday.
- Location: Saudi Arabia
- Organisation: Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development
- Holiday: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
- Who is affected: Private and non-profit sector employees
- Business impact: Workplaces covered by Saudi labour regulations will observe the official holiday
- What’s next: Saudi Arabia will mark its 96th National Day on September 23
Saudi Arabia has announced a public holiday for National Day on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development confirmed the holiday for employees in the private and non-profit sectors across the Kingdom.
The date marks Saudi Arabia’s 96th National Day, commemorating the unification of the Kingdom in 1932 under King Abdulaziz. For UAE residents, the announcement is also useful for anyone planning a September trip to Saudi Arabia or dealing with Saudi-based businesses and services.
When is Saudi Arabia’s National Day holiday in 2026?
Saudi National Day will be observed on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced the date under Article 24 of the Executive Regulations of the Labour Law. The ministry’s official events calendar also lists September 23 as Saudi National Day.
Unlike some years when the holiday can connect with a weekend, the 2026 date falls on a Wednesday. This means the announcement does not automatically create a long weekend for employees covered by the holiday.
Workers should also check their employer’s internal schedules for any additional leave or company-specific arrangements.
Who gets the Saudi National Day holiday?
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development confirmed the holiday for employees in the private and non-profit sectors.
Saudi National Day is a statutory holiday under the country’s labour regulations. The rules also outline compensation arrangements when an official holiday coincides with a weekly rest day. That provision does not affect this year’s National Day because September 23 falls on a Wednesday.
Government employees and workers in other sectors may follow separate holiday schedules issued under the relevant regulations.
For businesses operating in Saudi Arabia, the National Day announcement therefore provides an important date for planning staffing, customer service, deliveries and other operations.
Why is September 23 important in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi National Day commemorates the establishment of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
According to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, September 23 marks the day in 1932 when King Abdulaziz announced the unification of the Kingdom and adopted the name Saudi Arabia.
The 2026 celebration will therefore mark 96 years since the unification of the Kingdom.
National Day is now one of Saudi Arabia’s major annual occasions, with celebrations taking place across the country. Public spaces, commercial areas and entertainment destinations typically take part in the wider festivities, although individual events and programmes are announced separately.
Will Saudi National Day affect businesses and financial markets?
The holiday has practical implications beyond employees taking a day off.
The Saudi Exchange has confirmed that trading will close after the session on Tuesday, September 22 and resume on Thursday, September 24. This means Wednesday, September 23 will be a non-trading day for the Saudi stock market.
Companies with Saudi operations may also need to account for the holiday when planning payments, customer support, deliveries, appointments and government-related transactions.
For UAE-based companies dealing with Saudi clients, suppliers or partners, the date is worth adding to business calendars in advance.
The impact is particularly relevant for companies working across both markets, where a one-day closure in Saudi Arabia can affect project timelines and routine business communication.
What does Saudi National Day mean for UAE residents?
The holiday could also be relevant for UAE residents planning a trip to Saudi Arabia in September.
Saudi Arabia is a major regional travel and business destination for residents of the UAE, particularly for short leisure breaks, family visits and business trips. However, travellers should not assume that every attraction, retailer, restaurant or service will operate on a standard weekday schedule during National Day.
People travelling to Saudi Arabia around September 23 should check the operating hours and holiday programmes of individual destinations before visiting.
For businesses, the key point is simpler: Saudi offices and organisations covered by the official holiday may not operate as usual on Wednesday, September 23.
Why It Matters?
Saudi National Day is important for UAE residents because of the close travel, business and economic links between the two countries.
Anyone travelling from Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE to Saudi Arabia during the holiday period should plan around possible changes to operating hours and services. Businesses working with Saudi-based teams should also factor the public holiday into meetings, deadlines and transactions.
The announcement also gives travellers and companies several days to prepare rather than discovering the holiday closer to the date.
FAQs
When is Saudi National Day 2026?
Saudi Arabia will celebrate National Day on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
Is September 23 a public holiday in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has confirmed September 23 as the National Day holiday for employees in the private and non-profit sectors.
Is Saudi National Day a long weekend in 2026?
No. September 23 falls on a Wednesday in 2026, so the official holiday itself does not create a long weekend.
Which anniversary will Saudi Arabia celebrate in 2026?
Saudi Arabia will mark its 96th National Day in 2026, commemorating the unification of the Kingdom in 1932.
Will the Saudi stock market close for National Day?
Yes. The Saudi Exchange has confirmed that the market will be closed on Wednesday, September 23, and trading will resume on Thursday, September 24.
Saudi Arabia’s National Day holiday will take place on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development confirming the date for private and non-profit sector employees. As the Kingdom prepares to mark its 96th National Day, UAE residents and GCC businesses can use the confirmed date to plan travel, meetings and cross-border operations accordingly.
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