The Saudi occasions calendar: dates and timing

Why do some occasions move every year?

Religious occasions follow the lunar hijri calendar, which is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian — so Ramadan and the two Eids move earlier on the civil calendar each year. That is why there is no “fixed Gregorian date” for these; each year it is computed on the Umm al-Qura calendar and confirmed by the crescent sighting. National occasions — National Day and Founding Day — are fixed on the Gregorian calendar and do not move.

The upcoming hijri occasions

Ramadan (around 8 February 2027): the month of fasting and hosting — the best gifting time is its start. Eid al-Fitr (9 March 2027): the first of Shawwal after Ramadan — hosting sweets rule the day. Eid al-Adha (16 May 2027): the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah, the Hajj and sacrifice season — congratulations are broader and longer. These dates are approximate per the calendar and are finally confirmed by the sighting a few days prior.

The fixed national occasions

National Day (23 September 2026): falls on 23 September each year, celebrating the unification of the Kingdom — a strong season for green gifts and occasion-spirited arrangements for offices and partners. Founding Day (22 February 2027): falls on 22 February, celebrating the roots of the first Saudi state. Both are fixed and unchanging, easy to plan for early — especially for large corporate orders.

Personal occasions: Gregorian or hijri

Newborns, weddings and graduations are personal occasions kept by their date — and some families record them by the hijri calendar. On Nuwa you choose the calendar when saving the occasion: Gregorian with a fixed date, or hijri computed on Umm al-Qura, reminding you on its correct day every year no matter how it moves on the civil calendar.

When to send each occasion’s gift

The general rule: congratulatory gifts arrive on the occasion day or its eve, and hosting gifts — sweets and dates — a day earlier to prepare for guests. Large occasions (a wedding, a corporate order) are booked two weeks ahead. And with same-day delivery within covered cities, even an occasion that catches you late has its gift arrive before sunset if you order before 2 PM.

Let the calendar remind you — with the right math

Instead of tracking how hijri occasions move each year, save them once in the Nuwa calendar — hijri or Gregorian — and we compute their next date on Umm al-Qura and remind you ahead by the days you choose, in the site, by email or on WhatsApp.

Frequently asked

When are the next Ramadan and Eids?

Approximately: Ramadan 8 February 2027, Eid al-Fitr 9 March 2027, and Eid al-Adha 16 May 2027 — per the Umm al-Qura calendar, finally confirmed by the sighting.

When are National Day and Founding Day?

National Day is fixed on 23 September (next 23 September 2026), and Founding Day on 22 February (next 22 February 2027) — they do not move, being Gregorian.

Why do Ramadan and Eid change every year?

Because they are lunar hijri, and the hijri year is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian — so they advance on the civil calendar yearly. Nuwa reminders compute them automatically.

Also from the guide

• When is Eid al-Fitr? Best Eid gift ideas
• Ramadan gifts: when to send them and the best ideas
• Newborn gift: ideas and congratulation etiquette