What is Saudi Founding Day and when is it celebrated?

Saudi Founding Day is right around the corner, so let's talk about it.

Inaugurated by Royal Decree by His Highness Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in 2022, Founding Day is the nation's newest public holiday. It is one of just three non-religious national holidays observed in the Kingdom, Founding Day is a national day off for both the public and private sectors.

Celebrated on February 22 each year, Founding Day marks the establishment of the first Saudi state over three centuries ago, in 1139 AH / 1727 CE by Imam Muhammad Bin Saud. And, Diriyah was the location of the first Saudi capital.

The celebration of Founding Day serves to promote several key objectives amongst Saudi citizens and residents, including acknowledging the strong foundations and history of the Saudi state and the embracing of the national unity across the Kingdom.

Festivities usually include impressive firework displays alongside awe-inspiring and captivating drone shows. Of course, national identity plays a pivotal role in the Founding Day celebrations, and will often see people dress in the traditional clothing of their region, and perform folk dances and other celebrations, whilst also enjoying traditional, regional cuisine.

There are 13 official, traditional dishes of each region in Saudi Arabia, as declared by the Ministry of Culture in January.

Founding Day, February 22
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