Christmas in Saudi Arabia: From Private Homes to Festive Malls Under Vision 2030
December 25, 2025
Christmas in Saudi Arabia has changed a lot over the years. It used to be a quiet, private event mostly for expats, celebrated inside homes. Now, Christmas decorations like trees and lights appear in malls and public places in cities like Riyadh and Jeddah. This shows Saudi Arabia is becoming more open culturally thanks to Vision 2030, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s plan to modernise the country. Events such as Riyadh Season feature festive themes with fake snow and colored lights. But Christmas is still not a public holiday. Workers usually have to work on December 25 unless they work for international companies that allow leave. Public religious symbols like crosses or nativity scenes are still not allowed in public. Private celebrations at home remain legal and popular among expats. Several reasons explain this shift: Vision 2030 promotes a more diverse society and entertainment, a large number of expatriates celebrate Christmas, and tourism and business see festive boosts from seasonal celebrations. To enjoy Christmas safely here, people celebrate privately at home for religious parts or visit malls and events that offer a non-religious festive look. This change is slow and steady, not sudden. Saudi Arabia is carefully balancing tradition with new cultural openness, giving everyone a chance to enjoy Christmas with respect and fun.
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Tags:
Christmas In Saudi Arabia
Vision 2030
Expatriates
Festive Celebrations
Public Decorations
Saudi Cultural Openness
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