Saudi Arabia celebrates the National Day every year on 23 September. The day commemorates 23 September 1932, when King Abdulaziz united Saudi Arabia into one country. Over the last 15 years, it has been a day off for everyone. To match the green colour of the city’s streets, people hang large flags. People recall their history. The day was first celebrated in 1932. It was first officially recognised in 2005.
History of Saudi Arabia National Day
The story dates back to 1932, the day when Saudi Arabia became a country. Previously, many tribes fought with one another. King Abdulaziz forced them to unite. On September 23, 1932, he said the government would be called “the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”. This made the new country.
The celebration gained more importance in the later years. In 1965, King Faisal proclaimed 23 September to celebrate the Saudi Arabia National Day. Although it was initially honoured by the government, more individuals later took part. In 2005, King Abdullah turned it into a public holiday for everyone.
These days, it is one of the only non-religious days off on the Saudi holiday calendar. The others include the National Day on 22 February and the Flag Day on 11 March.
Important Dates:
- 1902-1932: King Abdulaziz takes over different areas
- 1932: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is named
- 1965: First official Saudi Arabia National Day celebration
- 2005: National Day becomes a public holiday
- 2022: Founding Day is a holiday
- 2023: Flag Day is a holiday
- 2024-2025: 94th and 95th National Day celebrations.
Celebrations and Traditions
The Saudi Hawks aerobatic team often performs sky shows with green smoke on the National Day. The Saudi Hawks fly planes and make green smoke in the sky. Major buildings are colored green and white. Cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah hold fireworks and light shows.
People leave their homes and head onto the streets. Flags are up in cars and buses. The country has its own specific dances, songs, and poetry. Every human being belts out the national song “Long Live the King”. There are picnics and festivals for the whole family. Some kids wear clothes with the Saudi Arabian flag or with the king on them.
Decorations
Roads and houses show the green and white flags. Trees and buildings get green lights. Balloons and lights display “22 9” and “23 September” in Arabic.
Events
The government organizes concerts, exhibitions, and festivals in every region of the country. Many towns have been hosting open-air concerts and fireworks contests. People of Saudi Arabia living in different countries are also enjoying the party.
Symbols
The authorities and people use the flags of King Abdulaziz and Mohammed bin Salman, as well as the Saudi Arabian maps. Some stores create exclusive items for National Day only.
Media and Sports
The television broadcasts every genre of programs that centre on nationalistic issues. Teams also wear special uniforms in sports. The games of the football league frequently have national holiday themes.
Each year, there is a unique theme. In 2024, it was “We Dream and Achieve”. In 2025, it will be “Our Pride Lies in Our Nature”. People have to use specific images and words on social media as suggested by the government.
People express their feelings about Saudi Arabia National Day by saying that it reminds them of home. Schools and mosques perform the national song and other national theme songs.
Major Saudi National Holidays
Saudi Arabia is blessed with too many holidays, but the ones that are celebrated are all long. Celebrated in two Eid festivals, just after National Day and Flag Day, the major ones include Founding Day. These are the main holidays for 2025.
| Date | Day | Holiday / Observance |
| 22 February | Saturday | Saudi Founding Day |
| 11 March | Tuesday | Saudi Flag Day |
| 31 March – 3 April | Monday – Thursday | Eid al-Fitr |
| 5 June | Thursday | Arafat Day |
| June 6 – 9 | Friday – Monday | Eid al-,,Adha |
| 26 June | ,,Thursday | Islamic, New Year (Muharram 1), |
| 23 September | Tuesday | Saudi Natioal Day |
These dates can change every year. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are the longest breaks, often lasting more than a week. Many people believe Eid al-Fitr is the best party of the year. National Day is, on the one hand, just one day off, yet on the other hand, the fun can last longer.
Even though the Islamic New Year, which includes Eid, the first day of Ramadhan, was observed only by Muslims. There’s Founding Day, but it also commemorates the two Eids, the Islamic New Year, and National Day.
Founding Day, Flag Day, and the Anthem of Saudi Arabia
Saudi National Day has two new special days. The first one is Founding Day, which will be on 22 February. This is the country’s first state, and it was founded by Imam Muhammad bin Saud in 1727. From 2022 onwards, it has been a holiday for schools and offices.
Flag Day is on 11 March. It has been a holiday since 2023. The green flag with the Islamic declaration of faith is the object of this celebration. Many people claim that Flag Day is a boost to the feeling of pride and unity among the Saudi people.
Aside from National Day, these days have assumed equivalent importance in privileging and use to define any individual pretending to be Saudi.
Music and Symbols
Music and symbols are essential to the day. Saudi nationals usually play the national song at the event on National Day. Its real title is “As-salāmu ʿalā Mamlakatī” or “Āsh al-Malīk”. It is performed principally in the flag-raising process.
The song was released in 1984. The people are encouraged by the song “Please Hurry to be great,” which teaches them to be humble before the King. This song translates to “God Save the Queen”.
The song “As-salāmu ʿalā Mamlakatī” also exists without lyrics. It consists of the trumpets’ rendition when the royals are in the vicinity. The power of these songs lies in their ability to create the feeling of a National Day atmosphere.
What National Day Means to Saudis
National Day is not just a date, but it is the day that helps to establish the nation. It is a reminder to the people of the history and shared values of Saudi Arabia. Many families dub it “homeland day”. Through the lines in their national anthem, “Yā Mawṭinī” is the first song to say, which translates to “my country”.
People usually give their greetings on social media platforms. They cry out “Saudi, Saudi!” at crowded places to show their national pride. Older people recount the state’s uprising. The young are creatively reinterpreting traditional dances, such as Samri or Ardha, incorporating instruments and swords.
Examples of Celebrations
In 2024, for the 94th National Day:
- Riyadh had green parades
- Jeddah had fireworks by the sea
- The Saudi Hawks made green lines in the sky
- Significant buildings lit up in green
- Cities like Dammam, Medina, and Abha had concerts
- Saudi embassies in other countries had cultural fairs and showed films about Saudi culture
These show that the National Day is improving for families, and it’s a blend of old-fashioned and novel ways that make it fun.
According to a Saudi writer, National Day is a time for reflection on history and to capitalise on “brotherhood, unity and goodness” which the flag symbolises. He wrote that the Na23 September “ay marks “300 years of history, and rejoices in “brotherhood, unity and goodness” that the flag represents. The past days are the best moments for people to reminisce about good events and look for a brighter future.
Timeline of Saudi National Day Milestones
| Year | Event |
| 1932 | 23 September: Ibn Saud procla22 the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (unifies Nejd and Hejaz), 11 March |
| 1965 | King Faisal issued a decree making 23 September “Saudi National Day” at the government level. |
| 200″ | King Abdullah declares 23 September a public holiday. |
| 2018 | “Eddah unveils world’s tallest flagpole on National Day (symbolic celebration). |
| 2022 | First observance of Saudi Founding Day (22 February) as a holiday. |
| 2023 | First Saudi Flag Day (11 March) holiday; National Day 93rd celebrated. |
| 2024 | 94th National Day, theme “We Dream and Achieve” (Vision 2030 emphasis). |
| 2025 | 95th National Day, theme “Our Pride Lies in Our Nature”. |
This list shows that the Saudi National Day is significant as a celebration (which began not too long ago, in the 1960s). Still, it has inherited King Abdul Aziz’s unification of the country from over 300 years ago. Actually, National Day has become a big festival for all the people of the country.
Dr. Mohammed Al-Zalfa, a jury member put up by a history expert, said, “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has used this flag since it started.” This idea is also perspicuous on National Day. The green flag signifies faith and oneness, and the event reminds the Saudi citizens that they are members of a big community.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia’s National Day, celebrated on 23 September, is a national unity day. People participate in the event and multiple activities, such as waving flags and watching shows. It becomes a history teacher and creates a nation of labourers at the time of the festival.
