Saudi Arabia Marks National Day With Nationwide Celebrations

Saudi Arabia Celebrates National Day Across the Kingdom

Saudi Arabia marked its 96th National Day on September 23, 2026, with celebrations taking place across cities and regions. Fireworks, drone displays, military and naval shows, public parades and cultural performances were held as citizens and residents joined events under the official theme “Our Pride Lies in Our Nature.”  Saudi National Day is observed every year on September 23. The occasion commemorates the 1932 unification of the Kingdom of Hejaz and Najd and its dependencies under the name Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by King Abdulaziz Al Saud.

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Fireworks and Drone Shows Light Up Saudi Cities

The celebrations brought large-scale visual displays to several Saudi cities. In Riyadh, drones created formations inspired by the National Day identity above Boulevard City, while fireworks were held in the evening. Fireworks were also held in Jeddah, Alkhobar, Madinah, Hail, Arar, Al-Baha, Tabuk and Buraidah. The Saudi Broadcasting Authority provided live coverage of major displays. Riyadh landmarks and building facades were also illuminated in green for the national occasion.

Air and Naval Shows Draw Public Attention

Riyadh hosted air and military displays at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham. Aircraft and helicopters from several Saudi military and security organizations took part in the program, along with civilian aviation participants. Alkhobar also hosted air and naval displays along its waterfront. The program included aircraft flypasts, naval vessels and boats, land formations, military bands and skills demonstrations. Naval aviation activities and diver deployment and recovery demonstrations were also part of the event.

Cultural Events Bring Communities Together

National Day celebrations were not limited to major cities. Across different regions, communities organized traditional performances, poetry, theatre programs, patriotic songs and activities for families and children. In Asir and Abha, streets and public spaces were decorated in green, while vehicle parades and community events were held. Al-Baha featured traditional Saudi Ardah performances, while Qassim displayed more than 20,000 Saudi flags across roads and public squares.

Celebrations Across Makkah, Madinah and Najran

Makkah hosted activities across walking tracks, parks, shopping centers and public spaces. The programs included artistic performances, national songs, family activities and the distribution of flags, flowers and commemorative gifts. Saudi Arabia’s official SPA also reported artistic, entertainment, community and sports activities in different parts of Makkah. Madinah’s streets, main roads, squares and public facilities were decorated with green lighting and Saudi flags. The city also hosted a National Day ceremony at the King Salman International Convention Center. Najran featured green lighting, flags, artistic installations and public activities for residents and visitors.

Qiddiya Holds Its First National Day Celebrations

Qiddiya City marked its first Saudi National Day celebrations since opening to the public. Events were held at Six Flags Qiddiya City and Aquarabia, combining entertainment, cultural activities and interactive programs. The celebrations included light shows and roaming entertainment performers, while Qiddiya’s slopes were illuminated in green. According to SPA, Aquarabia’s National Day activities continue through September 26, while Six Flags Qiddiya City has additional comedy performances scheduled for September 25 and 26.

National Day Links Heritage With Modern Saudi Arabia

The 2026 celebrations combined traditional Saudi culture with large-scale entertainment, aviation, maritime displays and modern urban events. The official theme “Our Pride Lies in Our Nature” was used across the National Day identity and public celebrations. The celebrations also reflected the broader transformation taking place in Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030, with modern entertainment destinations such as Qiddiya appearing alongside traditional performances, public parades and heritage activities. The National Day program therefore brought together historical identity, cultural traditions and contemporary public entertainment across the Kingdom.