The Ramadan moon has been sighted, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been celebrating the return of the holy month with iftars and suhoors in Riyadh, longer operational hours at malls, and a new set of mosque guidelines.
What’s more, the Saudi Founding Day is almost here. How do we know? Ithra Founding Day 2026 events have been announced.
The Eastern Province Cultural Center is where all the locals gather for an evening of edutainment and is beloved by young parents.
The center has pulled out all the stops for three days of festivities for the first Saudi public holiday of the year.
Ithra Founding Day 2026 events
The Saudi Founding Day, one of the newest public holidays on the Kingdom’s calendar, is observed on February 22 every year to honor the inauguration of Muhammad bin Saud as the emir of the oasis town of Diriyah in 1727 after the passing of his father, Saud al-Muqrin, the family’s eponymous ancestor.
One of the three national holidays that are not religious in nature, the holiday was first observed in 2022.
Ithra Founding Day 2026 events location
All the workshops, activities, and screenings will be held at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, also known as Ithra.
Ithra Founding Day 2026 events dates
The events will begin tomorrow, Friday, February 20, and end on Sunday, February 22. Your long weekend plans have been sorted.
Ithra Founding Day 2026 events tickets
While no entry tickets are required to enter the Cultural Center, some of the actitvities may be ticketed.
Ithra Founding Day 2026 events
Activities
Cultural Crosswords
Head down to Ithra’s Library for a crossword puzzle game that is both challenging and fun, and discover together words that reflect the beauty of Saudi culture.
Free. midnight-12.30pm. Fri Feb 20. Ithra, ithra.com.
The Souq
A market experience inspired by traditional souqs, featuring handcrafted and traditional products that reflect historic skills and everyday trading practices.
Free. 8.30pm-12.45am. Fri Feb 20. Ithra, ithra.com.
From the Saudi Dining Table
The Ithra Library will host another journey that begins with an engaging theatrical scene, followed by an exploration of the region’s resources and most celebrated products, and concludes with an enjoyable story that reflects the authenticity of Saudi’s culinary heritage.
Free. 8.30pm-11.50pm. Fri Feb 20. Ithra, ithra.com.
Tales of the First Generations
Listen to stories of the past as we revive the age-old art of storytelling. Storytellers share the preserved histories that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Free. 8.30pm-12.45am. Fri Feb 20. Ithra, ithra.com.
Heritage of Our Ancestors
Throughout various challenges, the spirit of Founding Day comes alive… A competition between families, questions spark up and heritage is revealed through al-Matamir, Najdi houses and the traditions of early Saudi life.
Free. 8.30pm-12.45am. Fri Feb 20. Ithra, ithra.com.
Minted History
Learn about the history of Saudi currency and the stories behind every coin and note.
Free. 8.30pm-12.45am. Fri Feb 20. Ithra, ithra.com.
Najdi Majlis Najdi Majlis Experience
Step into the heart of the Najdi House installation and explore how tradition meets science. Through three interactive stations, you will uncover the chemistry of hospitality, the physics of architecture and the geometry of Najdi patterns, all in the Najdi Majlis experience.
Free. 8.30pm-12.45am. Fri Feb 20. Ithra, ithra.com.
Heritage Across the Ages
From the clay walls of yesterday to the warmth of homes today, you and your family are welcomed to hear the story of an old Najdi house as it tells its own tale. A story that takes you through rooms and windows, uncovering the secrets of life in the past.
Free. 8.30pm-12.45am. Fri Feb 20. Ithra, ithra.com.
The Secrets of the Najdi Home
In the heart of clay, stories still breathe, and from ancient corners, hidden secrets awaken anew. A journey through the spaces of the Najdi house, where heritage meets science, and the walls reveal how our ancestors embraced energy and life in their simplest forms.
Free. 8.30pm-12.45am. Fri Feb 20. Ithra, ithra.com.
Katatib Journey
This experience is presented as a live, interactive performance that recreates a traditional kuttab setting, allowing visitors to engage with the learning methods, tools, and atmosphere that shaped early education.
Free. 9.15pm-12.30am. Fri Feb 20. Ithra, ithra.com.
Screening
Flavor of Home: 11pm-11.59pm. Fri Feb 20.
Stories Are Our Treasure: 10pm-10.25pm. Fri Feb 20
Land and History: 9pm-9.36pm. Fri Feb 20.
All screenings require a free ticket, which can be booked via ithra,com.
Saudi Founding Day 2026
Celebrations for the public holiday began early this year with Qasr Al Hukm hosting fun activities for all ages in the Justice Square earlier this month. If you are spending the Saudi Founding Day weekend in Riyadh then make sure to check out the National Museum’s Founding Day celebrations.
Free. Fri Feb 20-Sun Feb 22. Ithra, ithra.com.
