In this article
Saudi public holidays 2026
Every Riyadh school closes for Saudi national holidays. The fixed dates are firm, but the two Eid holidays follow the Hijri lunar calendar and are confirmed by official moon sighting only a day or two ahead, so treat them as indicative until announced.
| Holiday | Expected date(s) 2026 |
|---|---|
| Founding Day | Sunday 22 February |
| Eid al-Fitr | around Friday 20 to Monday 23 March (indicative, moon sighting) |
| Eid al-Adha | around Wednesday 27 to Saturday 30 May (indicative, moon sighting) |
| Saudi National Day | Wednesday 23 September |
Ramadan in 2026 is expected to run from around 18 February to 19 March, and during the fasting month schools shorten the teaching day rather than closing. The Eid al-Fitr school break usually extends well beyond the two public holiday days.
State school term dates 2025 to 2026 (MoE)
For the 2025 to 2026 year the Ministry of Education moved state schools back to a two semester structure. Pupils started on Sunday 24 August 2025 and the year ends on Thursday 25 June 2026. The confirmed break anchors are below; exact semester boundary dates vary slightly between schools and the Ministry adjusts them year on year, so confirm against your school's published calendar.
| Period | Dates |
|---|---|
| Year start | Sunday 24 August 2025 |
| Autumn break | Friday 21 to Saturday 29 November 2025 |
| Interim winter break | around Friday 9 to Saturday 17 January 2026 (indicative) |
| Eid al-Fitr break | around 20 March 2026 (indicative, moon sighting) |
| Eid al-Adha break | around 27 May 2026 (indicative, moon sighting) |
| Year end | Thursday 25 June 2026 |
| Summer holiday | late June to late August 2026 |
These dates are the published anchors for the public system. Where a 2026 date has not been formally confirmed it is shown as indicative and will be updated once the Ministry publishes the final calendar.
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International school term dates
British and IB international schools in Riyadh run a three term year that maps onto the English and international school pattern rather than the Ministry calendar. A representative 2025 to 2026 shape used by these schools is shown below.
| Term | Dates (2025-26, indicative) |
|---|---|
| First term | Mon 8 September to Thu 18 December 2025 |
| Spring term | Sun 4 January to Tue 17 March 2026 |
| Summer term | Sun 29 March to Thu 2 July 2026 |
| Summer holiday | early July to late August 2026 |
American curriculum schools in Riyadh instead run a two semester August to June year with shorter mid semester breaks. All of these schools still close for Eid and Saudi national days, which take precedence over imported holidays. For the differences between systems, see our curriculum guides, and for the wider national picture our Saudi Arabia country guide.
Planning the year
Two planning notes. First, the Eid al-Fitr break is the natural long travel window for Riyadh families, but because the date moves you should keep return flights flexible until the holiday is confirmed. Second, the long summer break from late June lines up with the hottest months in Riyadh, when many families leave the Kingdom entirely, so book early. Budget the year against our Riyadh international school fees guide, and when you are ready to compare schools the Riyadh schools directory lists term dates and fees side by side.
Exam season and where families settle
For international schools in Riyadh the IB Diploma and IGCSE examination season falls in May and June, so the summer term carries the heaviest revision load and Year 11 and Year 13 cohorts often finish their timetabled lessons before the rest of the school. State schools assess at the end of each semester, concentrating tests in January and June. Because Ramadan in 2026 sits in late February and March, schools time internal assessments to avoid the fasting weeks where they can. Expatriate families in Riyadh tend to settle in the compounds and northern districts such as Al Nakheel, Hittin and the Diplomatic Quarter, where the British, American and IB schools and their bus routes are concentrated. Mapping the exam windows against the moveable Eid breaks is the single most useful thing a new family can do before booking any travel.
Common questions
When do schools break up in Riyadh? State schools end the 2025 to 2026 year on Thursday 25 June 2026. International schools on the three term calendar break up for the summer in early July 2026. Both also break for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
How long is the summer holiday in Riyadh? The state school summer break runs from late June to late August, around nine weeks. Three term international schools break from early July to late August, a similar length.
When does the 2026 school year start in Riyadh? State schools began the 2025 to 2026 year on Sunday 24 August 2025. The 2026 to 2027 year is expected to start in late August 2026. Confirm the exact date with the Ministry of Education.
Do Eid dates change the Riyadh school calendar? Yes. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha follow the Hijri lunar calendar and are confirmed by moon sighting, so the exact school break dates are announced only a day or two ahead and can shift the surrounding week.
How does Ramadan affect schools in Riyadh? Schools shorten the teaching day during Ramadan, expected to run from around 18 February to 19 March 2026, rather than closing. The longer break comes with Eid al-Fitr at the end of the month.