Saudi Founding Day: What is it and 7 last-minute ways to celebrate in Riyadh and beyond
2/21/24
How to celebrate Founding Day 2024 in the Kingdom, from long weekend travel packages to cool dining offers across Riyadh and Jeddah
Isabella Craddock
Saudi Founding Day falls on 22nd February each year – the day the foundations were laid for the modern-day Kingdom of Saudi Arabia back in 1727 by Imam Mohammed bin Saud. The day sparked security and stability for the country, and to this day, Saudi Founding Day is a huge celebration across the Kingdom, bringing Saudis together to celebrate culture, heritage and tradition, but also the future of the country, with celebrations lasting long into the night. These days, Saudi Founding Day is marked with a public holiday across the Kingdom, giving residents a chance to come together and celebrate.
About Saudi Founding Day
Saudi Founding Day celebrates the foundations of the Saudi State, which were founded on Islamic principles to promote justice and social unity. At that time, Diriyah – now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and thriving dining and hospitality destination – was the capital and business centre of the nation, driving the country to develop a strong culture and welcome travellers and pilgrims.
Saudi Founding Day captures and pays homage to this history, with many locals across the country proudly wearing their traditional costumes. For men, they don one of eight traditional attires, depending on their region, and for women, a modest yet vibrant and colourful abaya is usually worn with beads and also a head covering. Henna is also an essential part of traditional women’s beauty in Saudi, and those celebrating usually paint their fingertips and palms, as well as the soles of their feet (which men also partake in). Other traditional celebrations include folklore dances and traditional songs, and today, Ardah is performed on Saudi Founding Day celebrations to bring Saudis together. In traditional Saudi homes, families come together to enjoy traditional food and desserts, and Saudi coffee – made using saffron and cardamom and served with sweets – is a must. Other dishes to try to include jareesh – a Saudi dish made from ground wheat and cooked with meat and laban and garnished with caramelised onions and dried limes.
How to celebrate Saudi Founding Day in 2024
Saudi Founding Day today is an excuse to get out, get together with friends and loved ones and celebrate the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, be it in a traditional way or in one of the Kingdom’s many buzzing restaurants and cafes, which often run special activations for the event. Riyadh’s Ministry of Culture has also announced a series of cultural and historical events scheduled for February 21-26 to celebrate Saudi Founding Day.
Marriott Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter
The shiny new Marriott hotel in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter is putting on a day filled with heritage and culture, embracing both the past and the future. Taking place on Thursday 22nd February – Officially Founding Day – there will be an Ardha performance (traditional Saudi dance) and art and traditional bazaar for guests to browse and enjoy from 6pm to 1am.
Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh; marriott.com
Il Baretto Riyadh
Il Baretto Riyadh is celebrating Saudi Founding Day by showcasing the very best offerings of the Kingdom. Available at the restaurant’s bustling KAFD location, Founding Day celebrations will see Il Baretto Riyadh – one of the city’s favourite Italian restaurants – celebrate the Kingdom by serving local Saudi coffee all day in specially designed Saudi Founding Day coffee cups. Servers will also wear special Saudi Founding Day pins and create a celebratory vibe, worth stopping in for a coffee or lunch to get in the spirit.
KAFD, Riyadh; ilbaretto.sa
Era Coffee
Another one for coffee lovers, as Era Coffee is offering 50% off all drinks from Thursday, 22nd to Saturday, 23rd February. Enjoy a modern brew or embrace traditional with Arabic coffee at their three locations across Riyadh. There’s also a photo area, so don’t forget your traditional Saudi attire for a great photo moment.
Various locations across Riyadh; @eracoffee2
La Brasserie
Embark on a culinary journey across Saudi Arabia at Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah’s La Brasserie, with a specially curated tasting menu of seasonal fishes from Saudi’s 12 regions on Thursday 22nd. Diners can enjoy dishes from Najd, Hail, Hejaz and Qassim, with dishes like lamb kabsa, Manto and Hail kebebeh – all accompanied by a live oud. The package is available for SAR275 per person from 6pm to 11:30pm.
Al Olaya, Riyadh; @mo_alfaisaliah
Mövenpick Riyadh
A long weekend is always the perfect excuse to get away from it all – and one of the best ways is to check into a hotel for an exciting weekend break. For a last-minute escape that’s stylish and affordable, Mövenpick Riyadh is offering a Founding Day offer of a single room for SAR960 or a double for SAR1,020 per night, with breakfast included. The offer runs from Thursday 22nd to Saturday 24th February, perfect for making the most to the hotel’s great restaurants, fitness centre and outdoor pool surrounded by green gardens.
Al Ghadeer, Riyadh; @movenpickriyadh, all.accor.com
Mandarin Oriental – Al Faisaliah Spa
Make the most of the long weekend by treating yourself to some spa therapy at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental – Al Faisaliah Spa. The property is running 20% off memberships for the ladies at Al Faisaliah Spa and 20% off for the gents at the Health Club.
Al Olaya, Riyadh; mandarinoriental.com
ROAM long weekend escape
Saudi Found Day is a public holiday, and this year conveniently falls on a Thursday – meaning a three-day long week for those working the traditional Sunday to Friday week. Use the chance to book a last-minute escape to see more of this stunning country with ROAM’s four-day long weekend experiences, which include the new ‘Secrets of the Red Sea’ package, amongst others which explore Saudi’s most popular destinations like Jeddah, Rabigh, Yanbu and the Red Sea. The new Secrets of the Red Sea package starts with a day aboard a CORE yacht, where guests enjoy five sleek cabins and can take in the wonders of the Red Sea, along with an onboard biologist and diving, before transferring the next day the newly opened Six Senses Southern Dunes – the first five-star hotel to open at the brand new Red Sea destination. Activities include exploring the desert and a UNESCO-recognised Sadu Weaving workshop – and there is still space on the long weekend trip. Other four-day experiences operating on Saudi Founding Day weekend include the Riyadh Desert Experience package, which includes rolling desert dunes, private dining, yoga, nature walks and more. Experience can be booked individually, with friends or in larger groups.
