📅 Middle East Ramadan & Public Holidays 2026 & 2027
Public Holidays 2026
| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Feb 2026 · Wed | Ramadan begins (بداية رمضان) | Religious |
| 22 Feb 2026 · Sun | Founding Day (يوم التأسيس) | Public |
| 19 Mar 2026 · Thu | Eid al-Fitr (عيد الفطر) | Public |
| 26 May 2026 · Tue | Arafat Day (يوم عرفة) | Public |
| 27 May 2026 · Wed | Eid al-Adha (عيد الأضحى) | Public |
| 23 Sep 2026 · Wed | National Day (اليوم الوطني) | Public |
Public Holidays 2027
Provisional — most countries publish the official calendar late in the year.
| Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Feb 2027 · Sun | Ramadan begins (بداية رمضان) | Religious |
| 22 Feb 2027 · Mon | Founding Day (يوم التأسيس) | Public |
| 9 Mar 2027 · Tue | Eid al-Fitr (عيد الفطر) | Public |
| 15 May 2027 · Sat | Arafat Day (يوم عرفة) | Public |
| 16 May 2027 · Sun | Eid al-Adha (عيد الأضحى) | Public |
| 23 Sep 2027 · Thu | National Day (اليوم الوطني) | Public |
ℹ️ Why these dates matter
In Saudi Arabia and much of the Gulf, the religious calendar changes not only opening hours but the whole shape of the day. During Ramadan many restaurants and cafés close or screen off service before sunset, business hours shorten, and attractions often move later into the evening. Iftar brings streets, malls and dining rooms back to life; remember that the local weekend is Friday–Saturday and that lunar dates can shift by a day after official sighting.
Festivals Worth Planning a Trip Around
Beyond the stat holidays — the events that define the travel year.
Ramadan — Begins about 18 February 2026 (Wed)
Ramadan reshapes the day around fasting from dawn to sunset: many cafés and restaurants close or screen off daytime service, business hours shorten and attractions often open later. Non-Muslim visitors are welcome, but should avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight; after iftar, neighbourhoods and malls stay lively well into the night.
Eid al-Fitr — About 19 March 2026 (Thu)
Eid al-Fitr ends Ramadan and brings the season’s biggest leisure break, commonly three to five days as travel dates allow. Families gather, restaurants fill and many attractions keep evening hours, so book flights several months ahead and confirm local opening times before arrival.
Eid al-Adha — Arafat Day about 26 May 2026 (Tue); Eid al-Adha about 27 May 2026 (Wed)
Eid al-Adha is the Hajj-season festival, preceded by Arafat Day, when pilgrims gather at Mount Arafat near Mecca. It usually brings several days off across the Gulf, and Makkah and Madinah are the centre of the Hajj; plan outward journeys early and expect crowded flights and longer waits at airports.
National Day — 23 September 2026 (Wed); Founding Day 22 February 2026 (Sun)
Saudi National Day on 23 September paints Riyadh and Jeddah green and white with fireworks, concerts and light shows, while Founding Day on 22 February marks earlier heritage with reenactments. Expect evening crowds and road closures near the main stages, and book accommodation early for the central districts.
💡 Quick Tips
- Plan meetings and errands for the morning during Ramadan, when offices and services are at their most predictable.
- Avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours; hotels and malls usually provide discreet dining spaces.
- Remember the local weekend is Friday–Saturday, so Sunday is a normal working day and Monday flights can be busy.
- Confirm lunar dates again shortly before travelling, because official announcements can move them by a day.
⚡ Pro Tips
- Book Eid flights and hotels well before the lunar date is final, since demand peaks as soon as the holiday window is expected.
- Choose accommodation near evening attractions during Ramadan, so iftar and late-night plans do not depend on long drives.
- Schedule desert and heritage sites for the late afternoon and keep the hottest part of the day indoors.
📋 Summary
This Saudi-focused guide covers Ramadan and the major 2026 and 2027 holiday dates that shape travel across the Gulf: Eid al-Fitr, Arafat Day, Eid al-Adha, Founding Day and National Day. Daytime rhythms slow during Ramadan, evenings surge after iftar, and Eid flight prices rise quickly, so timing matters more than usual.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can non-Muslim travellers visit Saudi Arabia during Ramadan?
Yes, visitors are welcome and many enjoy the Ramadan atmosphere, which shifts towards the evening. The main adjustment is respect: avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight and follow local guidance on dress and behaviour. Most daytime activity moves later, so plan sightseeing around iftar and the night hours.
Are restaurants and attractions open during Ramadan?
Expect daytime service to be limited or screened off, with hotels and larger malls the most reliable places for daytime meals. Many attractions shift their opening hours later and stay open after iftar, so check same-week timetables. Evenings are the busiest and most rewarding part of the day.
Why are Islamic holiday dates described as approximate?
These dates follow the lunar Hijri calendar and can depend on official moon-sighting announcements near the time. The published figures are expectations, and the confirmed day may differ by one day. Check official announcements shortly before booking and keep plans flexible where possible.
