Eid al Adha
Otherwise known as the Festival of Sacrifice, Eid al Adha is a festival which remembers the time that God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son Ismael. During this time, the locals sacrifice sheep and other animals as a symbolic gesture of the sheep that Abraham offered after God declared Ishmael’s sacrifice unnecessary.

Islamic New Year
Also known as Muharram, the Islamic New Year is celebrated in Saudi Arabia with the observance of total temperance and various religious ceremonies.

Ashura
Ashura is a Shi'ite Muslim festival and while only 22 per cent of the country is Shi’a Muslim, this event is still observed conscientiously in the eastern province city of Qatif. The festival is held in commemoration of Husayn ibn Ali who gave his life for the cause of the Muslim faith.

Janadriyah Festival
Janadriyah Festival is Saudi Arabia’s first National Heritage and Folk Culture Festival and features camel races, folk dancers, poetry reading and feasting.

Milad al-Nabi
The birth of Muhammad is celebrated at the Milad al-Nabi festival, an event which generally sees religious processions, ceremonies, and feasts accompanied by festive decorations and a jovial but reserved atmosphere.

Jeddah Festival
The second biggest city in the country hosts a huge five-day event that sees a variety of attractions including fireworks, circus performances, live music and dancing.

Book Fair
Held in the city of Jeddah, this event sees writers, agents, publishers and anyone with literary interest amass at the International Exhibition and Convention Centre to listen to and engage in talks and discussions about Arabic works (invariably with Islamic themes).

Saudi National Day (Unification of the Kingdom)
This is the most significant day in the country’s history, on which Saudi Arabia was officially declared an independent state. It is celebrated by locals with a national public holiday and is one of the few events in the country’s calendar that is not religiously affiliated.

Ramadan
In the holy Islamic calendar, this is considered the most important month and Saudi citizens observe it with a period of strict fasting and abstinence. Many business and public services are affected during this time.

Eid al Fitr
Eid al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is a huge event in the Islamic calendar. It is celebrated all around the world with great fervour and enthusiasm and Saudi Arabia is no exception. The period of abstinence observed during Ramadan is ended with praying and gift-giving.

Riyadh Motor Show
Big names from the international auto industry converge on Riyadh for an event that sees all manner of displays and exhibitions on every aspect of cars and modern motoring.

Eid al Adha
This festival bears the same name and is in fact a repeat of the festival celebrated in January.

Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice): January (date varies each year)
Saudi National Day: September 23rd
Eid al-Fitr: October (date varies each year)