Dubai, UAE — Sept. 2026 — Saudi Arabia is celebrating its 96th National Day on Wednesday, honoring the Kingdom’s founding with a nationwide program of fireworks, air shows, concerts, and cultural events that drew crowds across the country’s major cities.
This year’s National Day fell under the theme “Our Pride by Nature,” recalling the unification led by the Kingdom’s founder, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, and honoring the nation’s journey of unity and identity.
The occasion comes as Saudi Arabia continues its development drive under the leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.
The date commemorates a Royal Order issued in September 1932 announcing the unification of the country under the name Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, following decades of consolidation that began with King Abdulaziz’s recovery of Riyadh in 1902.
The theme, “Our Pride Lies in Our Nature,” carried over from 2025 into its second year, paired with a refreshed set of six core values.
Streets and landmarks across Saudi Arabia will be illuminated in green, with a packed schedule of fireworks, concerts, cultural activities, and family entertainment marking one of the Kingdom’s biggest annual celebrations.
September 23 is recognized as an official nationwide holiday, observed by government institutions and the private sector alike, giving Saudis across the Kingdom the chance to reflect on the nation’s journey and celebrate its unity.
