95 Years Young: Saudi National Day Is Back in Full Green Glory
It’s that time of year, again: The temperature is inching down, kids are back at school, and Saudi Arabia is getting ready to celebrate the 95th birthday of the modern Kingdom we know today. Saudi Arabia celebrates National Day on September 23 with a public holiday for everyone, enjoyed from coast to coast. So, as the autumn leaves change, it’s all coming up green here, as people, the streets, socials, and skyscrapers alike are wrapped in the colors of the Saudi flag. Read on for a little history, a little culture, and all the places you can go to get into the celebratory spirit!
A little context
For context: National Day goes back to 1932, when King Abdulaziz officially unified Saudi Arabia. That move didn’t just redraw maps, it built the foundation of the modern Kingdom. Fast-forward nearly a century, and the day has evolved into something bigger than fireworks and music (though keep reading if you’d like to catch them!). Because while Founding Day is a celebration of Saudi diversity and regional heritage, National Day is when we come together to celebrate the Kingdom and a shared vision for the future.
What’s in a theme?
Every year, National Day is celebrated with a national theme in mind, and this year is no exception: “Pride in Our Nature” is a tribute to the character, values and ambitions that make the Kingdom one-of-a-kind expressed through generosity, authenticity, ambition, solidarity, vision, and world-famous Saudi hospitality.
Ain’t no party like a…
And let’s be real, no one throws a celebration like Saudi. Think drone shows, air displays by the Saudi Hawks, and yes, lots and lots of fireworks. Expect massive concerts with Saudi artists dropping collabs that fuse traditional sounds with modern beats. Catch traditional Ardah sword dances will happen through your AR filters, bop to the National Day playlists across streaming services, and watch cities and landmarks light up in green all around you. And no party is complete without food. From delicious chocolate-covered dates to National Day-themed matcha lattes, Saudi eateries are planning drops that are as Instagrammable as they are delicious.
Say less, link more!
There’s a huge range of activities happening across Saudi for its 95th national day. You can look at a full calendar here and we’ve highlighted some of our favorites below: Here’s just some of what’s in store across Saudi cities this for this year’s celebrations:
Riyadh
We’ve often written about the blend of tradition and modernity in Saudi. To see that in action, take the opportunity to tour Al-Hukm Palace from 22-23 September. This event is a rare opportunity to visit a historic building that has been an active seat of government and administration for nearly 200 years. Find out more here.
Jeddah
Head down to Jeddah’s legendary sea-side promenade for a coming together of every kind of entertainment you could wish for – food, music, dance, kids’ workshops, games, and – of course – fireworks, which start at 21.00. Being the buzzing cultural hub it is, there’s loads more going on in Jeddah too, including a real feast of activations in its historic old town. Checkout that same link for more.
Eastern Province
Can’t decide between music, film, history, and children’s workshops? Then checkout the Ithra cultural hub’s program running from 22–27 September offering a range of indoor and outdoor musical performances, interactive installations, workshops, film screenings and family-friendly activities. Entry to Ithra is free, but some events and activations require a purchased ticket. Read more here.
Air Displays by the Royal Saudi Airforce
Riyadh: Northwest of Sultan bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City at 5pm
Jeddah: ROSHN Waterfront across from the Jeddah Hilton Hotel at 4pm
Khobar: Khobar Sea Front (Corniche) across from Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Centre for Science and Technology at 416.:30.pm
Save the date
So as September 23 approaches, the excitement is real. The hashtags are heating up, stage rehearsals are in full swing, and the country is getting ready to glow once again. Saudi National Day is always an opportunity to show how the Kingdom honors its roots and steps into tomorrow with fresh energy.
