Top 10 Ways to Celebrate Saudi National Day with Your Team

Saudi National Day, also known as Al-Yaom Al-Watani (اليوم الوطني), is more than just a public holiday; it's a powerful opportunity to boost employee morale, strengthen team bonds, and reinforce a sense of national identity and pride in the workplace. Celebrated every year on September 23, this national holiday marks the Unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932 under King Abdulaziz Al Saud.

In this article, we’ll explore creative, inclusive, and fun ways to celebrate Saudi National Day at work, whether your team is working in the office or remotely. We’ll also share HR tips to make your initiatives more meaningful and compliant.

Why Celebrate Saudi National Day at Work?

Before we jump into the ideas, here’s why it's important for HR teams and companies to acknowledge Saudi National Day in the workplace:

• It shows respect for national culture and values
• Encourages team spirit and collaboration
• Enhances employee engagement
• Fosters pride and unity, especially for Saudi nationals
• Supports your employer branding efforts
  
  

Celebrating Al-Yaom Al-Watany internally also aligns with the Kingdom’s broader Vision 2030 goals around building inclusive, vibrant workplaces and nurturing a thriving national identity.

Top 10 Ways to Celebrate Saudi National Day with Your Team

1. Host a National Day-Themed Office Celebration

Decorate your office in green and white, play traditional Saudi music, and organize a mini celebration with Saudi flags, banners, and themed snacks.

Ideas:

• Invite employees to wear national attire or green clothing
• Serve traditional Saudi dishes, dates, and Arabic coffee
• Display a timeline of Saudi Arabia’s unification and Vision 2030 milestones
  
  

Tip for Remote Teams: Send a digital celebration kit with flags, Zoom backgrounds, or even local snack vouchers.

2. Launch a Saudi National Day Quiz or Trivia Game

Engage employees with a fun and educational quiz covering:

• Saudi history
• The founding of the Kingdom
• Vision 2030
• Famous landmarks and traditions
  
  

Tools to Use: Kahoot, Quizizz, Google Forms

Remote-Friendly: Host it live on Zoom or Teams with small prizes for top scores.

3. Share Employee Spotlights Featuring Saudi Team Members

Celebrate your Saudi employees by giving them the spotlight.

Ideas:

• Share interviews, video clips, or fun facts about their hometowns
• Let them talk about what the Saudi National Day means to them
• Create a social media campaign: #SaudiVoicesAtWork
  
  

This helps honor local culture, build empathy, and strengthen cross-cultural understanding in diverse teams.

4. Organize a Saudi-Themed Potluck or Virtual Recipe Share

Encourage employees to bring home-cooked Saudi dishes or snacks to work. If your team is remote, create a virtual recipe board and host a cooking session online.

Popular Dishes:

• Kabsa
• Samboosa
• Mutabbaq
• Jareesh

You can even vote on the best recipe and share a digital cookbook with everyone!

5. Run a Saudi National Day Art or Design Contest

Let employees showcase their creativity through:

• Poster design competitions
• Digital artwork or motion graphics
• Traditional calligraphy or poetry
  
  

HR Tip: Display winning entries around the office or in your internal newsletter. For remote teams, create a shared gallery online using Google Drive or Trello.

6. Offer Flexible Hours or an Additional Half Day Off

National Day already falls on a public holiday, but offering flexible hours around it (especially for Sunday or Wednesday) can help employees:

• Celebrate with family
• Avoid traffic and overcrowding
• Recharge
  
  

This small gesture goes a long way in showing your team that you care about work-life balance.

7. Distribute National Day Swag & Gifts

Send branded or meaningful items such as:

• Saudi flag pins
• Customized mugs or notebooks
• Eco-friendly tote bags with National Day slogans
• QR codes linking to Vision 2030 projects
  
  

Remote Tip: Ship gifts in advance to remote employees or offer digital gift cards with themed designs.

8. Incorporate a Social Impact Initiative

Use this national occasion to give back to the community. Involve your team in:

• Donating to local charities
• Volunteering in Saudi-led social projects
• Planting trees or supporting environmental causes aligned with Vision 2030
  
  

This reflects national values and supports CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) goals.

9. Host a Virtual Panel on Vision 2030 & Saudi Progress

Bring in guest speakers or team members to discuss:

• How Saudi Arabia has evolved under Vision 2030
• Opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship
• The role of workplaces in shaping the Kingdom’s future
  
  

Make it interactive with polls, breakout rooms, or follow-up surveys.

10. Create a Social Media or Hashtag Campaign

Amplify your internal celebrations externally by:

• Posting team photos or stories
• Sharing employee testimonials
• Using popular hashtags:
  
  
  • #SaudiNationalDay
  • #اليوم_الوطني_السعودي
  • #Vision2030
  • #UnificationOfTheKingdom
  • #SaudiPride
    
    

This also boosts your employer branding on platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram.

HR Tips for Organizing Saudi National Day in the Workplace

1. Plan in Advance: Give employees time to prepare and participate, especially remote teams across different time zones.
   
   
2. Keep it Inclusive: Celebrate Saudi culture while making sure all employees, regardless of nationality, feel welcome to participate.
   
   
3. Align with Company Values: Tie celebrations to broader initiatives like diversity, wellness, or sustainability.
   
   
4. Document & Reflect: Take photos, gather feedback, and share a recap post. This builds internal momentum for next year.
   
   

How to Engage Remote Employees on Saudi National Day

With more teams working from home or across borders, don’t leave remote employees out of the fun:

• Send digital invites and care packages
• Host live or recorded events for flexible participation
• Create Slack/Teams threads for photo sharing and greetings
• Gamify celebrations with points, polls, and prizes
• Offer an online “Saudi Culture 101” session
  
  

This builds virtual team cohesion and ensures all employees feel part of the celebration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Saudi National Day a public holiday in 2025?

Yes, Tuesday, September 23, 2025, is an official public holiday in Saudi Arabia. Many companies offer 1–2 days off.

2. Why should companies celebrate Saudi National Day at work?

It shows cultural appreciation, boosts morale, strengthens team spirit, and supports employee engagement.

3. Can remote employees participate in Saudi National Day celebrations?

Absolutely! With digital tools, remote employees can join quizzes, attend virtual events, and receive care packages or gifts.

4. What are the best HR practices for Saudi National Day?

Plan ahead, keep celebrations inclusive, align with company goals, and document the day for internal and external sharing.

Ready to Celebrate?

Saudi National Day is not just a celebration of the Kingdom’s unification; it’s a chance to unify your team, foster pride, and boost morale. Whether your employees are in the office, working remotely, or spread across regions, there are plenty of creative ways to engage them on this special occasion.

With a thoughtful approach and inclusive planning, your National Day celebration can reflect both Saudi culture and your company values, leaving a lasting impact long after the holiday ends.