It’s not just a date on the calendar anymore. Saudi Founding Day, observed every February 22nd, has become one of the most deeply personal national occasions for Saudi citizens — a moment when an entire nation pauses, looks back at where it all started, and finds the courage to keep building forward.
Why This Day Matters
Back in 1727, when Imam Muhammad bin Saud established the First Saudi State from the heart of Diriyah, he wasn’t just founding a city. He was planting the seed of a nation that would endure for three centuries — surviving setbacks, rising from the ashes, and ultimately becoming one of the most influential countries on the global stage. By royal decree from King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, February 22nd was designated as the official Founding Day, celebrated under the powerful motto: “The Day We Began.”
Sunday, February 22: A National Holiday
This year, Founding Day falls on a Sunday — corresponding to 5 Sha’ban 1447 AH. It’s a paid public holiday for all workers in both the public and private sectors, plus students. Here’s the thing: with a long weekend ahead, millions of Saudis and residents are already planning how they’ll spend the celebrations. And honestly? There’s no shortage of options.
Diriyah Takes Center Stage — Again
It makes perfect sense that Diriyah — the birthplace of the Saudi state, nestled along the banks of Wadi Hanifah — steals the spotlight every year. During Founding Day, this ancient city transforms into an open-air theater that tells the story of a civilization.
Expect the grand “Founding Operetta” and the March of Beginnings, featuring stunning artistic performances backed by cutting-edge visual effects. Drone shows and fireworks will light up Riyadh’s skies in what’s become one of the most anticipated spectacles of the year.
Then there’s “Najnaj” — a vibrant recreation of traditional Saudi markets, complete with authentic regional costumes that vary from one area to another. It’s a living reminder that Saudi Arabia isn’t one culture — it’s a rich tapestry of traditions woven together under a shared identity.
More Than Just a Party
Let’s be real: Founding Day isn’t just about fireworks and drone shows — though those are admittedly spectacular. It’s a genuine moment of reflection on a journey that spans from a mud-brick capital in 18th-century Najd to the gleaming towers of Riyadh and the ambitious horizons of Vision 2030.
The thread connecting all of it? Resilience. The kind of resilience that rebuilt a state not once, not twice, but three times — and each time emerged stronger.
As cities across Saudi Arabia — from Riyadh to Jeddah, Dammam to Abha — gear up for the celebrations, the question isn’t whether you’ll celebrate. It’s how.
