In Saudi Arabia the year is shaped by seasons that move. Ramadan and the two Eids follow the Hijri calendar and arrive about eleven days earlier every year, while Founding Day, Flag Day and National Day stay fixed. In 2027 they overlap in ways that change how brands should plan. This calendar lists every big moment with its date and what to prepare.
The key dates at a glance
- Monday 8 February: Ramadan 1448 begins (expected).
- Monday 22 February: Founding Day, inside Ramadan this year.
- Tuesday 9 March: Eid al-Fitr (expected).
- Thursday 11 March: Saudi Flag Day.
- Saturday 15 May: the Day of Arafah (expected).
- Sunday 16 May: Eid al-Adha (expected).
- Sunday 6 June: Hijri New Year 1449 (expected).
- Thursday 23 September: the 97th Saudi National Day.
- 11 November: 11.11 online sales.
- Late November: White Friday, around Friday 26 November.
- Friday 28 January 2028: Ramadan 1449 begins (expected), so its planning starts in late 2027.
Hijri dates come from the Umm al-Qura calendar. The actual start of Ramadan and the Eids depends on the moon sighting, so keep a day or two of flexibility in your schedule.
January to March: Ramadan, Founding Day and Eid
Ramadan starts on 8 February, so the buying season begins in January: shoot your Ramadan content, prepare offers and update your hours before the month starts. Founding Day on 22 February falls in the middle of Ramadan this year, which calls for a calmer tone and evening activations rather than daytime events. Eid al-Fitr follows on 9 March, and Flag Day comes two days later on 11 March, so plan one Eid campaign and one short national moment back to back.
Get ready with our Ramadan readiness checklist, which counts down to the first day.
April to June: Hajj, Eid al-Adha and summer
After Eid al-Fitr, April is a good month to test new content and rebuild momentum. Hajj season peaks in mid May, with the Day of Arafah on 15 May and Eid al-Adha on 16 May: greetings, gifting and family offers work well, and the tone should respect the season. The Hijri New Year on 6 June is a light moment for a greeting post, and June also brings graduations and the start of summer plans.
July to September: summer, school and National Day
July and August are the summer travel months, when many families are away or out late, so posting times move later. Back to school usually arrives in late August: check the Ministry of Education's calendar for the exact date. National Day on Thursday 23 September is the biggest national moment of the year. Never put the Saudi flag, the national emblem or the names and pictures of the country's leaders on products or in ads: the Ministry of Commerce bans it, and since late 2024 the ban covers national and religious symbols in general. Celebrate in your own brand's colours and words, and follow the guidelines of any official National Day identity you use.
October to December: the busy shopping season
Entertainment seasons such as Riyadh Season usually start in October and bring crowds and events through the winter. In November, 11.11 and White Friday are the biggest online sales of the year, and any discount you announce needs a discount licence from the Ministry of Commerce. December is when Ramadan 1449 planning starts, because the month begins on 28 January 2028.
Every month: payday
Government salaries in Saudi Arabia are paid on the 27th of each month, and many people plan purchases around it. Offers and reminders in the last days of the month often land better than the same post in the middle of it.
How to use this calendar
- Start six to eight weeks early. Shoots, designs, licences and influencer bookings all take time.
- One theme per season. A clear idea repeated well beats many small campaigns.
- Check the rules. Influencer ads need a Mawthooq licence, and discounts need a Ministry of Commerce licence. Our Mawthooq guide explains the first.
- Plan the month in one place. Try our month builder to see a month of posts and reels.
When to get help
Our social media management service plans every season ahead, builds the content and runs it in Arabic and English, so you are ready before your competitors start.
Frequently asked questions
When is Ramadan 2027?
Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin on Monday 8 February 2027, by the Umm al-Qura calendar. The actual start depends on the moon sighting.
When is Founding Day 2027?
Monday 22 February 2027. This year it falls inside Ramadan, so plan calmer, evening activations.
When is Saudi National Day 2027?
Thursday 23 September 2027, the 97th National Day.
When is White Friday 2027?
In late November, around Friday 26 November. Stores often run offers for the whole week, and discounts need a Ministry of Commerce licence.
Want every season planned before it starts? Book a free call.