Saudi Arabia is about to hit pause on the daily grind. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development just announced that Tuesday, 23 September 2025, will be a public holiday for Saudi Arabia National Day. Government folks, private sector workers, students, and even bankers who normally never stop, all get the day off.
Saudi Arabia’s 95th National Day Public Holiday Announced!
Now, is it just another random holiday? Not really. It marks something weighty: the unification of Saudi Arabia in 1932 under King Abdulaziz Al Saud. That moment stitched together the Kingdom we see today.
Let’s not kid ourselves, there will be fireworks. Big ones. The kind that light up Riyadh’s skyline, while kids wave flags and families pile into cars blasting patriotic songs. There’ll be concerts too, probably sold out within hours.
Saudi Arabia National Day: Theme For The Year
But behind the glitter, there’s meaning. The official theme this year is “Our Pride Lies in Our Nature.” Sounds poetic, right? It ties together the Kingdom’s heritage with its sweeping deserts, mountains, and coastlines. It’s about identity as much as it’s about celebration.
Holidays are good for that, aren’t they? A forced pause. A little space to look back and think, “How far have we come?” And to be fair, Saudi Arabia has come a long way. Vision 2030 isn’t just a slogan; you can see its fingerprints everywhere, from tourism projects to cultural festivals.
So, this one-day break isn’t just about rest. It’s also about pride in progress, about remembering where the Kingdom started and where it’s heading.
From A Just A Holiday To A Tradition
Here’s a fun bit of trivia: National Day wasn’t always a holiday. The first celebration took place in 1965 under King Faisal. Then, in 2005, King Abdullah made it official, a yearly public holiday. Since then, it’s only grown bigger, louder, and more meaningful.
And come on, isn’t it rare these days that an entire country, schools, shops, banks, offices, all stops together? That alone makes it worth noting.
Why It Matters In 2025
This year it’s the 95th National Day, which feels huge. Ninety-five years of unity isn’t a small number, and the celebrations reflect that weight. But what stands out most is how inclusive it has become. It’s not just Saudis waving flags, it’s also residents, expats, and anyone who’s made a life here. Everyone gets to share in the pride.
So yes, expect fireworks, concerts, and packed malls with green-themed offers. But also expect a sense of belonging, the kind that goes beyond a single evening’s show. 23 September is about unity, past, present, and whatever comes next.
Cover Image Courtesy: CanvaPro/ Eman Abdulrahman from Scopio
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