DigiNepal · festivals
Saudi Founding Day (يوم التأسيس (Arabic)). Region: Saudi Arabia. Tradition: National day (UAE and GCC cultural list). Calendar: Gregorian (fixed by government decree). Dates: Official holiday (SA) 2026: Sunday 22 February 2026 [official, source SA]; Official holiday (SA) 2027: Monday 22 February 2027 [official, source SA]; Official holiday (SA) 2028: Tuesday 22 February 2028 [official, source SA]. History and significance: Saudi Founding Day, introduced in 2022, recalls the founding of the first Saudi state by Imam Muhammad bin Saud in Diriyah in 1727. It celebrates the country's history and heritage with traditional dress, markets and performances. Key rituals and foods: Flag displays, fireworks, parades, heritage villages and traditional dress; foods include national dishes such as machboos, harees and luqaimat. Date basis: official = matches a government gazetted holiday list; computed = calculated from the calendar system (tithi astronomy with skyfield and JPL DE421, Hijri Umm al-Qura, Chinese, Korean and Hebrew calendar libraries, or the fixed rule); expected = Umm al-Qura projection pending moon sighting. Sources: Wikipedia and Wikidata (CC BY-SA, CC0) and government holiday lists, summarised in our own words.