The night skies will light up in Abu Dhabi and Dubai for Saudi National Day.
Celebrated annually on September 23, this is the kingdom’s 92nd National Day, with this year’s slogan being “it is our home”.
The occasion marks the 1932 decree, issued by King Abdulaziz, which renamed the Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
If you're looking to give a gift to a loved one for Saudi National Day, check out our guide here. For those who prefer to go out, in addition to concerts and deals for shopping, hotels and dining, there's plenty happening around the UAE for the occasion, including fireworks in the evening.
Here's where to go to enjoy the light show.
Yas Bay Waterfront
Yas Bay will have fireworks at 9pm for Saudi National Day. For the best seat to watch, there are a few restaurants along Pier71 that will offer unbridled views of the spectacle. Attractions on Yas Island will also light up green including W Abu Dhabi, Clymb Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros World as well as Yas Island hotels.
The Beach, JBR
For those in Dubai, expect to see fireworks across The Beach in JBR starting at 9pm. Whether watching from the beach or the waterfront of nearby Bluewaters Island, there are plenty of good viewpoints. Landmarks including Burj Al Arab, Ain Dubai, Dubai Frame and the Museum of the Future will also light up green in celebration.
Saudi National Day 2022 - in pictures
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
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- 600-seat auditorium
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RESULTS
Men – semi-finals
57kg – Tak Chuen Suen (MAC) beat Phuong Xuan Nguyen (VIE) 29-28; Almaz Sarsembekov (KAZ) beat Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) by points 30-27.
67kg – Mohammed Mardi (UAE) beat Huong The Nguyen (VIE) by points 30-27; Narin Wonglakhon (THA) v Mojtaba Taravati Aram (IRI) by points 29-28.
60kg – Yerkanat Ospan (KAZ) beat Amir Hosein Kaviani (IRI) 30-27; Long Doan Nguyen (VIE) beat Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) 29-28
63.5kg – Abil Galiyev (KAZ) beat Truong Cao Phat (VIE) 30-27; Nouredine Samir (UAE) beat Norapat Khundam (THA) RSC round 3.
71kg – Shaker Al Tekreeti (IRQ) beat Fawzi Baltagi (LBN) 30-27; Amine El Moatassime (UAE) beat Man Kongsib (THA) 29-28
81kg – Ilyass Hbibali (UAE) beat Alexandr Tsarikov (KAZ) 29-28; Khaled Tarraf (LBN) beat Mustafa Al Tekreeti (IRQ) 30-27
86kg – Ali Takaloo (IRI) beat Mohammed Al Qahtani (KSA) RSC round 1; Emil Umayev (KAZ) beat Ahmad Bahman (UAE) TKO round