Green Lights Up Skies & Seas: Saudi Arabia Celebrates 96th National Day
The living legacy of Saudi Arabia is taking center stage as the Kingdom marks its 96th National Day, celebrating the rich history and deeply rooted values of Saudi society.
From Jeddah to the Eastern Region, festivities dominate the Kingdom’s skies and seas, featuring aerial displays, naval shows, and parades to honor decades of national pride and achievements.
Celebrating a Proud Nation
The Big Picture: Under the theme “Our Pride is in Our Nature,” Saudi Arabia celebrates the nation’s heritage, core values, and qualities that have shaped generations throughout the decades.
The General Entertainment Authority (GEA) unveiled the identity of the Saudi National Day 2026, centering around 6 pillars:
- Courage: A heroic bravery to safeguard the homeland and overcome challenges.
- Vision: Ambitious programs to build a thriving economy, a vibrant society, and a prosperous nation.
- Authenticity: Glorious history and rich heritage blend with a prosperous present.
- Determination: A steadfast resolve to achieve goals and drive national progress.
- Generosity: A spirit of giving and sharing that unites the community.
- Exceptional Giving: A culture of offering time, effort, and help, and finding joy in the act of giving.
A Nationwide Spectacle
State of Play: Celebrations traverse each Saudi home, taking form through nationwide festivities featuring air, sea, and land shows, as well as firework displays. These fascinating celebrations run from September 18 to September 27 across the Kingdom’s skies, seas, and land.
وطنٌ نحميه ونحتفي بأمجاده.. 🇸🇦 https://t.co/QbdEF90Q5P pic.twitter.com/RWv9YzM88N
— وزارة الدفاع (@modgovksa) September 14, 2026
The RSAF celebrates Saudi National Day with a new commemorative livery for its fighter jets. This includes:
- F-15C
- F-15SA
- Typhoon
- Tornado
Fireworks: On September 23, simultaneous fireworks will light up the night sky of nine Saudi cities at 9:00 pm: Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Khobar, Madinah, Hail, Arar, Al-Baha, Tabuk, and Buraidah.
Jeddah
- Air Show: September 18-20 at 5:00 pm by the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) and the Saudi Hawks team, alongside commercial flyovers by Saudia (Boeing 787-9) and flyadeal (Airbus A320neo).
- Naval Displays: Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) vessel displays along the Red Sea coast, alongside Border Guard land and maritime foot parades at the ROSHN Waterfront Corniche.
Between the Lines: The Saudi Hawks team captivated audiences at the Al-Alamein International Airshow 2026 in Egypt with state-of-the-art aerial performances that showcased exceptional skills and a high level of precision, professionalism, and coordination.
Riyadh
A unique display will be held in Riyadh on September 22-23 starting at 4:00 pm and will be broadcast live on Saudi TV.
- Presidency of State Security (Security Aviation): An air show with a helicopter bearing the national flag.
- Royal Guard: Guard of Honor parade and live performance of the Saudi Royal Anthem.
- Ministry of National Guard: Helicopter flight formations and military band performances.
- Air Show: September 22-23 at 4:00 pm by the RSAF at Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center.
- Commercial Aviation: Special flyover by Riyadh Air featuring a Boeing 787.
- Exhibition Pavilions: Displays by the Royal Saudi Land Forces, Border Guard, and the Saudi Aviation Club.
Yanbu
- Border Guard land parade along the Yanbu Corniche.
- A maritime parade at Sharm Yanbu.
Al-Khobar
- Air Show: September 26-27 at 4:30 pm featuring military aircraft and the debut participation of Aloula Aviation.
Abha
- Border Guard vehicle and foot parades along Art Street.
Al-Birk Governorate
- Border Guard foot parade and boat parade along the waterfront corniche.
Saudi National Day: A Future Grounded in History
The Backstory: The National Day marks the birth of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932. On September 23, King Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud announced the unification of Najd and Hejaz into a single kingdom, establishing Riyadh as its capital, Arabic as its official language and the Quran as its constitution.
Zoom In: Special celebrations and nationwide festivities distinguish this national occasion. Taking pride in their glorious history and rich culture, Saudis wear traditional attire, adorn the streets with Saudi flags, and illuminate landmarks and buildings across the Kingdom in green.
Catch Up Quick: CEER, the Kingdom’s first electric vehicle (EV) brand, will celebrate the National Day in a distinctive way, unveiling its first flagship vehicles, an electric sedan and SUV on September 21, 2026, marking a landmark milestone for Vision 2030.
