Saudi Arabia Public Holidays 2027: Long Weekends & Best Getaways

Saudi Arabia public holidays 2027 give residents and visitors four official breaks, and with a little planning those four dates can turn into weeks of travel. Whether you are mapping out a family Eid holiday, a quick long weekend in Saudi Arabia, or a Founding Day escape to the desert, this guide puts every date, bridge-day trick and getaway idea in one place.

Below you will find the full Saudi holiday calendar 2027, how each holiday lands against the Friday–Saturday weekend, which long weekends 2027 Saudi Arabia offers without taking leave, and the best getaways in Saudi Arabia for each season. We also share practical booking advice from the hospitality team at Dyafa Hotels & Resorts, so you can book early and travel smart.

Understanding the Saudi Holiday Calendar 2027

Saudi Arabia keeps its official holiday list short and meaningful. Unlike many countries with ten or more public holidays, the Kingdom recognises four national occasions, two of which follow the Islamic lunar (Hijri) calendar and two of which follow fixed Gregorian dates.

Fixed-date holidays

• Founding Day (Yawm Al-Ta'sis) – 22 February every year, commemorating the establishment of the first Saudi State in 1727.
• Saudi National Day (Al-Yawm Al-Watani) – 23 September every year, marking the unification of the Kingdom in 1932.

Lunar-based holidays

• Eid al-Fitr – begins on 1 Shawwal, immediately after Ramadan. In 2027 this is expected around 10 March.
• Eid al-Adha – begins on 10 Dhul Hijjah, the day after Arafat Day. In 2027 this is expected around 17 May.

Because the Hijri year is roughly 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year, Eid dates in Saudi Arabia 2027 arrive earlier than they did in 2026. This shift matters for travel planning: Eid al-Fitr moves into the pleasant spring season, and Eid al-Adha lands in mid-May before peak summer heat.

Saudi Arabia Public Holidays 2027: Full Date Table

Here is the complete 2027 Saudi public holiday list with the day of the week, the typical length of the break, and how it connects to the Friday–Saturday weekend.

Public-sector employees in Saudi Arabia typically receive longer Eid holidays than the private sector, often extending from the final days of Ramadan into the first week of Shawwal. Always check your employer's announcement, as private companies may add discretionary days.

Long Weekends 2027 in Saudi Arabia: How to Stretch Every Holiday

The secret to maximising long weekends in Saudi Arabia is understanding how each date sits relative to the weekend. Here is a holiday-by-holiday strategy for 2027.

1. Founding Day long weekend (19–22 February 2027)

Founding Day falls on a Monday in 2027. On its own it is a single day off, but one bridge day on Sunday 21 February converts it into a four-day Founding Day weekend. February is also the single best month for desert destinations, making this the perfect window for AlUla, Diriyah or the Eastern Province.

2. Eid al-Fitr holiday 2027 (approx. 9–13 March)

With Eid expected on Wednesday 10 March, the standard private-sector holiday runs from the 29th of Ramadan to the 3rd of Shawwal, roughly Tuesday to Friday. Add Saturday and you have a five-day Eid al-Fitr break without using leave. Add Sunday 14 March and it becomes six days.

3. Eid al-Adha holiday 2027 (approx. 14–19 May)

This is the longest natural break of 2027. Arafat Day on Sunday 16 May starts the official holiday, which continues through Wednesday 19 May. Because it begins right after the Friday–Saturday weekend, employees enjoy roughly six consecutive days off. Taking Thursday 20 May as leave extends the break to nine days, including the following weekend.

4. National Day long weekend (23–25 September 2027)

National Day lands on a Thursday, creating a ready-made three-day weekend. September temperatures are still warm in central regions, so this is an ideal moment for the cooler highlands of Aseer, Taif or a seaside stay on the Red Sea or Arabian Gulf coast.

Key Benefits of Planning Your 2027 Holidays Early

• Lower hotel and flight prices: Domestic fares and hotel rates in Saudi Arabia rise sharply in the two weeks before Eid. Booking 60–90 days ahead typically secures better value.
• Guaranteed availability: Family suites and connecting rooms in Jeddah, Riyadh and Al Khobar sell out first during Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
• Better weather matching: Knowing that Eid al-Fitr 2027 falls in March lets you choose outdoor destinations that would be too hot in summer.
• Smarter leave usage: Bridge-day planning turns four public holidays into up to 19 days of travel.
• Less stress for families: Early planning means schools, elders and extended family can coordinate around a single shared calendar.
• Access to seasonal events: Riyadh Season, Jeddah Season and regional festivals frequently align with public holidays and sell tickets early.

"In 2027 the Saudi calendar is unusually generous. Eid al-Fitr arrives in spring, Eid al-Adha starts right after a weekend, and National Day falls on a Thursday. Travellers who book their long weekends before the end of 2026 will find the best rooms at the best rates – those who wait until the week of Eid will not." – Hospitality team, Dyafa Hotels & Resorts

Best Getaways in Saudi Arabia for Each 2027 Holiday

The best places to visit in Saudi Arabia change with the season. Here is a destination guide matched to each 2027 long weekend, with practical notes for families, couples and groups of friends.

Founding Day (February): AlUla, Diriyah and the Eastern Province

February is peak season for Saudi Arabia's heritage destinations. Daytime temperatures of 20–25°C make this the ideal time for:

• AlUla – Hegra (Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site), Elephant Rock and the Old Town. Founding Day weekend coincides with the AlUla cultural season.
• Diriyah & Riyadh – At-Turaif, Bujairi Terrace and the historic birthplace of the Saudi State – the most meaningful place to spend Founding Day itself.
• Al Khobar & Dammam – Perfect corniche weather, Half Moon Bay beaches and easy access to Al Ahsa's UNESCO-listed oasis.

Eid al-Fitr (March): Jeddah, Riyadh and the Gulf Coast

Eid al-Fitr 2027 falls in mid-March, one of the most pleasant travel windows of the year. Families typically look for city hotels with large suites, restaurants that cater to Eid gatherings and short distances to malls, parks and Eid celebrations.

• Jeddah – Al-Balad historic district, the Jeddah Waterfront and Red Sea beach clubs, plus easy access for Umrah before Eid.
• Riyadh – Boulevard City, King Abdullah Financial District dining and Eid fireworks across the capital.
• Al Khobar – A relaxed Eid base for Eastern Province families, with sea-view hotels along the corniche and short drives to Bahrain for those extending their trip.

Eid al-Adha (May): Taif, Aseer and Red Sea Resorts

By mid-May, central and eastern regions are heating up. This is the moment to head for altitude or for resort coastlines designed for warm weather.

• Taif – The "City of Roses" sits at 1,800 m and offers cool evenings, Al Hada mountain road and the famous rose harvest season.
• Abha & Aseer – Green mountains, Al Soudah Park and traditional Rijal Almaa village, with temperatures 10–15°C cooler than Riyadh.
• Red Sea Destinations – Umluj, Yanbu and the new luxury resorts of the Red Sea project offer snorkelling, island hopping and pristine beaches during the six-day Eid al-Adha break.

National Day (September): Coastal Cities and Highland Escapes

The three-day National Day weekend is best spent where celebrations are biggest and weather is manageable: Jeddah's waterfront, Al Khobar corniche, Riyadh's Boulevard, or the cooler mountains of Aseer and Al Baha. Expect fireworks, air shows, green-lit landmarks and high demand for sea-view rooms.

Comparison: Which 2027 Holiday Is Best for Each Type of Trip?

Not every holiday suits every traveller. The table below compares the four Saudi public holidays 2027 by length, weather, crowd levels and recommended destinations.

Domestic vs. international travel during 2027 holidays

Many Saudi families once flew abroad for every Eid. That pattern is changing. Domestic tourism in the Kingdom has grown rapidly, driven by new destinations, improved hotel supply and shorter travel times. For a five-day Eid break, a domestic stay avoids airport queues, visa paperwork and jet lag while keeping families close to relatives – a decisive advantage during Eid, when visiting family remains the heart of the celebration.

Future Trends: Saudi Holidays, Tourism and Vision 2030

The way Saudis spend their public holidays is being reshaped by Vision 2030, which set a target of 150 million annual visits and aims to lift tourism's contribution to GDP to around 10%. Several trends will shape how you experience Saudi Arabia holidays in 2027 and beyond:

• New giga-project destinations: The Red Sea, AMAALA, Diriyah, Qiddiya and NEOM are opening hotels, marinas and entertainment districts in phases, giving long-weekend travellers destinations that did not exist five years ago.
• Rapid hotel supply growth: Tens of thousands of new hotel rooms are planned across Riyadh, Jeddah and the Eastern Province, improving choice and competitive pricing during peak holidays.
• Seasonal entertainment calendars: Riyadh Season, Jeddah Season and regional festivals increasingly align with Founding Day, Eid and National Day, turning holidays into event-driven travel.
• Improved connectivity: Expanded domestic flight routes, the Haramain high-speed rail and upcoming Riyadh Metro integration make three-day city breaks more practical than ever.
• Quality-of-life focus: Vision 2030's Quality of Life Program explicitly encourages leisure, culture and recreation – meaning holidays are becoming a planned part of Saudi life, not an afterthought.
• Saudi hospitality brands rising: Home-grown operators such as Dyafa Hotels & Resorts are expanding to meet local expectations – Arabic-first service, family privacy, and authentic Saudi hospitality (diyafa) at the core of every stay.

For travellers, the practical message is simple: each year the best getaways in Saudi Arabia become more diverse, and each holiday becomes more competitive to book. Planning your 2027 long weekends now is the smartest move.

Frequently Asked Questions: Saudi Arabia Public Holidays 2027

Conclusion: Make the Most of Saudi Arabia's 2027 Public Holidays

The Saudi Arabia public holidays 2027 calendar is one of the most traveller-friendly in recent years. Founding Day on a Monday, Eid al-Fitr in spring, a six-day Eid al-Adha break that starts straight after a weekend, and National Day on a Thursday together create four genuine long weekends in Saudi Arabia – and with just three bridge days you can enjoy nearly three weeks of holiday.

Match each break to the right destination: heritage and desert in February, family city breaks in March, mountains and Red Sea resorts in May, and coastal celebrations in September. Book early, especially for Eid, and you will enjoy the best getaways in Saudi Arabia at the best value – all while supporting the Kingdom's Vision 2030 journey toward becoming a world-class tourism destination.