Saudi's 89th National Day takes place on Monday, but celebrations are already in full swing. Social media is awash with various green-and-white themed activities as the kingdom's citizens show their patriotism.
Saudi is marking the national holiday this year with a four-day holiday, from September 20 to 23.
Here's how people have been commemorating National Day so far:
1. Airport celebrations in Dubai
Many of the Saudi nationals celebrate the four-day weekend with a trip to Dubai, so it's fitting that Dubai International Airport came to the party – quite literally.
شاهد بالفيديو ..
— أخبار السعودية (@SaudiNews50) September 19, 2019
.
كيف استقبل مطار دبي الرحلة القادمة من الرياض تزامناً مع اليوم الوطني السعودي؟
.#السعودية #الإمارات #اليوم_الوطني_السعودي_89
. pic.twitter.com/RJr0alHOF1
Dubai's main airport has gone all out this year, bedecking the arrivals terminal in green and white decorations and having helpers on hand to meet incoming flights from Saudi Arabia with little gifts and souvenirs.
One video shows an influx of Saudi travellers into the UAE being greeted by national Saudi songs, and staff members wearing patriotic shawls and waving flags, giving out Saudi-themed goodie bags to visitors.
فريق #هويتي في #مطارات_دبي الذي يتضمن ممثلين عن الشركاء الاستراتيجيين، يستقبل الاخوة الزوار السعوديين القادمين الى الامارات عبر #مطار_دبي_الدولي بالورود والهدايا التذكارية احتفالا بمناسبة #اليوم_الوطني_السعودي #الامارات_والسعودية_قلب_واحد #الإماراتي_سعودي_والسعودي_إماراتي pic.twitter.com/0djg0m1BjH
— Dubai Airports (@DubaiAirports) September 19, 2019
2. Meditating at Al Qara Mountain
The 75-metre-high mountain in the Al Ahsa region is known for its cool climes, so it's the perfect summer escape for many Saudis. It's home to caves that are known not only for their distinctive shape, but also the cool air that can be found inside, making them a hot spot for domestic tourists. The cave network, made up of 28 linear passageways, totals 1.5 kilometres in length.
For Saudi National Day this year, it's become home to those seeking relaxation time as part of a meditation event.
3. A colourful new plane
Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) have commemorated the occasion with a Saudi Arabian-inspired Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
It's the first in a series of special liveries being launched by the airline, which is paying tribute to Adnoc's key international trading markets, industry partners, as well as the destinations served by Etihad.
4. A moving video
Saudi Aramco, Saudi Arabia's national petroleum and natural gas company, has produced a slick new advertisement which has racked up millions of views since its release just three days ago. For National Day, the two and a half minute clip pays tribute to the kingdom's past achievements, and its "future glory" through the story of a young boy making his way around the country.
عزك لقدام وأمجادك ورا.#نستاهلك_يا_دارنا #همة_حتى_القمة
— أرامكو (@Saudi_Aramco) September 19, 2019
في #اليوم_الوطني89، تحتفل #أرامكو السعودية بوطنٍ نفخر بإنجازاته. هنا لحظات من ذاكرة المملكة العربية السعودية منذ تأسيسها وحتى يومنا الحالي.
رتوت تغريدتنا حتى تصلك معلومة عن أحد مشاريع المملكةhttps://t.co/SsmtcPl01Y pic.twitter.com/CiBND9pfer
There are some magnificent landscapes to be seen, which is perhaps a good teaser for what's to come, as the country opens itself up for tourism. At the time of writing, the video had been watched 7.4 million times.
5. Dazzling fireworks
It's a time-honoured way to celebrate a special occasion, and the skies are already lighting up across Saudi. Although the main fireworks displays are scheduled in Jeddah and Riyadh for Monday, smaller displays have taken place in various locations across the country already.
For the main event in Jeddah, 700,000 fireworks are set to be fired from just off the Al-Hamra Corniche.
In Dubai, several parts of the city will also light up on Monday night.
Happy national day 🇸🇦
— جود (@juod_66) September 21, 2019
89 year of pride💚💚#اليوم_الوطني_السعودي_89 pic.twitter.com/7Xh0JfeSnX
If you're around the Dubai Marina or JBR, there will be a fireworks display over The Beach and Bluewaters, with an Ain Dubai backdrop. A separate display will light up The Pointe on Palm Jumeirah.
Dubai Festival City Mall's Imagine show has also been turned into a fire, lasers and lights show, set to Saudi music until Monday night.
The Burj Khalifa will also be lit with the Saudi flag on Monday. There will also be a special Dubai Fountain rendition of the country's national anthem.
6. Colourful performances
Several wide-ranging events and activities are planned for the 13 regions across the country for the long weekend.
In Riyadh, a concert was held on Saturday, entitled "mettle to the top", which is inspired by the slogan of this year's National Day, which is a quote from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman: "Saudis' mettle is like that of the Tuwaiq mountain." It featured dance troupes and a military parade.
________________
Read more:
Etihad and Adnoc celebrate Saudi National Day with special livery Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Celebrate Saudi National Day in Dubai with fireworks and live music
________________