Good Time to Visit
Weather
The weather in Saudi Arabia is hot and dry, with average temperatures varying from 21°C in the north to 26°C in the south. Daytime temperatures may rise to 50°C in the interior sand deserts. Night-time frosts are common in the north and highlands.
Visitors are advised to bring tropical or lightweight clothing.
For more information on Saudi Arabian weather, see Climate in Saudi Arabia.
Festivals
Most events in the country follow the Muslim calendar, and most visitors to the country are Muslim pilgrims, usually on a journey to Mecca, Islam's spiritual centre. The Hajj to Mecca occurs in mid to late January. The country also hosts a number of motor shows.
The annual Jenadriyah Heritage and Cultural Festival, organised by the National Guard is designed to embrace all aspects of Saudi Arabian traditions and culture. Lasting for 2 weeks, the festival begins with a camel race and features traditional music and national dances.
Public Holidays
The following table shows the public holidays celebrated in Saudi Arabia:
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 23 September | Saudi National Day |
| Variable* | Eid al-Fitr (Ramadan ends) |
| Variable* | Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) |
* Although Muslim holidays always fall on the same day of the Islamic calendar, the date they are celebrated on the Gregorian calendar varies from year to year, due to the fact that the Islamic calendar is lunar whilst the Gregorian calendar is solar. Because this lunar year is about 11 days shorter than the solar year, Islamic holy days usually shift 11 days earlier each successive solar year. The method used to determine when each Islamic month begins also varies from country to country.
