Saudi Arabia is gearing up for four days of festivals, fireworks, parades and cultural events to commemorate Saudi National Day.
Held on 23 September, the public holiday will mark 94 years since the unification of Saudi Arabia by King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud and its renaming from the Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz.
While the public holiday was only founded around 34 years ago, the Kingdom and its people have adopted it in full and go all out to commemorate the historic day. This year, the Kingdom is giving its people four days to mark the special occasion starting from Friday 20 September.
Tourists heading to Saudi Arabia over the long weekend can expect to see a mix of celebrations including cultural customs such as folk dances and songs as well as buildings decorated with Saudi flags, people wearing the national green and white colours and a fair few fulfilled gatherings.
Here are a few events you may want to check if you happen to be in the area:
AZIMUTH at Al-Ula
Some of the biggest artists in house, electronic, jazz and R&B music will perform at Saudi’s Al-Ula during the three-day AZIMUTH festival.
With a theme like ‘Until the Sun Comes Up’, we expect there will be dancing all day and most of (if not, all of) the night and we’re sure, there will also be a sufficient amount of patriotism towards the national holiday.
Book your tickets or read more about it, here.
Taste Saudi dishes at the Mandarin
For a bit of a low-key celebration, the Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah in Riyadh is hosting a series of culinary events across all four days, starting 20 September.
Authentic Saudi dishes from 13 provinces will be served and accompanied by traditional artwork, live Arabic music and stations.
Get your apron on and check out more, here.
Enjoy a Saudi buffet at the Fairmont
Keep with the culinary theme, the Fairmont in Riyadh is treating its guests tastebuds with a Saudi-theme dinner buffet at The 365 restaurant.
The hotel is also offering a 15% discount on the best rate for anyone who books for a stay between 19-28 September 2024, and they are throwing in complimentary breakfast and dinner.
Careful you’ll start to drool reading about it, here.
Check out the fireworks
Although details for this year’s firework display have yet to be announced, last year the colourful display was held at Boulevard Riyadh City and featured aerial and marine shows delivered by Saudi Arabia’s Armed Forces.
Stay tuned for more.
Celebrate outside of Saudi Arabia
Destinations outside of Saudi Arabia are also putting on their own celebrations to help Saudi expats feel closer to home.
This year, Riverland Dubai at Dubai Parks and Resorts will host a fireworks display, lighting up the sky with Saudi’s green and white colours. The display will take place on 21st and the 22nd at 9pm and will include an eco-friendly laser show.
Wild Wadi Waterpark will have a life DJ pool party at the wave pool from 12pm-5.30pm on the 21st and 22nd. Saudi nationals and KSA residents will also receive up to 30% off on day passes over both days.
And Bahrain launched a tourism campaign called ‘Delighted to See You’ which invites Saudis to celebrate Saudi National Day (23 September) in the Kingdom.
