Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) in Saudi Arabia

Meaning and timing

Eid al-Adha, also called Eid al-Hajj or al-Eid al-Kabeer in Saudi Arabia, commemorates the story of Prophet Ibrahim and his son: in the account described by Saudipedia, God provided a lamb to be sacrificed in place of Ibrahim’s son. Muslims who are able to do so sacrifice an animal and share its meat with family and people in need.[1]

Eid itself falls on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar. In Saudi Arabia, the Supreme Court’s moon-sighting process determines the start of Dhu al-Hijjah and therefore the dates of the Day of Arafah and Eid. The Day of Arafah is the ninth day, so the holiday period can begin before Eid day.[1][2]

For Muslims worldwide, Eid al-Adha is a major religious festival linked to Ibrahim’s story and the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Saudi Arabia has a particular connection because the Hajj takes place in and around Makkah, and the first days of Eid coincide with the pilgrimage.[1]

Prayer, sacrifice and family customs

Eid prayer is held at the Grand Mosque, the Prophet’s Mosque and across the country. The sacrifice follows the prayer; Saudipedia says the permitted period runs through sunset on the thirteenth of Dhu al-Hijjah. Families keep some of the meat and share portions with relatives, neighbors and people in need.[1]

Meat is central to Eid meals, but recipes differ from one Saudi province to another, so there is no single dish that represents every household. Families also prepare Eid gifts, known as Eidiya, for children, and welcome pilgrims returning from Hajj with congratulations and celebration.[1]

Public holiday and closures

The paid holiday for workers covered by the Labor Law is four days, starting on the Day of Arafah. If the holiday overlaps with a weekly rest day, the worker is compensated with an equivalent day before or after the holiday. Government entities that apply the Labor Law under their own regulations have a separate rule: a 2024 Cabinet decision sets their Eid leave at a minimum of four and a maximum of five working days; that decision excludes government entities applying the Civil Service Law.[2][3]

For the public sector, Saudipedia describes the Eid break as running from the fifth through the fifteenth of Dhu al-Hijjah, with the schedule subject to adjustment if it coincides with the weekend. Non-essential government offices close, and classes are usually suspended during public holidays.[1]

Banks and other financial institutions follow SAMA’s published holiday schedule. SAMA also requires banks, exchange centers and payment service providers to keep branches operating during Hajj season in pilgrimage areas, airports and border crossings, and to announce selected branches that open during holiday periods. Check branch hours before visiting; ordinary branch service may be unavailable during the financial-institution holiday.[4]