Kuwait National Day

Kuwait National Day

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  1. 1899Kuwait signs protection agreement with Britain
  2. 1961Kuwait becomes independent from Britain
  3. 1991Liberation from Iraqi occupation follows Gulf War

The story behind the day

25 February marks Kuwait National Day, celebrating the accession of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, the ruler who led Kuwait to independence in 1961. Independence itself came on 19 June, but the February date suits the cooler season and honours the state-builder.

The day became Kuwait's main national celebration alongside Liberation Day on 26 February, which remembers the end of Iraqi occupation in 1991. Together the two dates make late February a period of sovereignty, survival and public celebration.

Today National Day is marked with fireworks, lights, flags, concerts, decorated cars and family outings along Gulf Road and Kuwait City's waterfront. Visitors see red-white-green-black flags, water-spray play, malls, beaches and a strong festive Gulf atmosphere.

Across Kuwait, the day is bright and social. Families gather for machboos, grills, sweets, coffee and picnics, while the national story is framed by monarchy, oil-era modernity and memory of liberation.

  1. 202625 February 2026 · Wednesday
  2. 202725 February 2027 · Thursday
  3. 202825 February 2028 · Friday
The Kuwaiti flag
Kuwait flag

The Kuwaiti flag has green, white and red horizontal bands with a black trapezoid at the hoist. The Pan-Arab colours are linked to Arab poetic symbolism: green for fertile lands, white for deeds, red for swords or sacrifice, and black for battlefields or resolve.

Kuwaiti celebration food is Gulf, maritime and rice-based, with fish, lamb, spices, dates, coffee and sweets at the centre of family gatherings.

What to eat

Machboos lahamKuwait's national dish — fragrant saffron rice with slow-cooked Gulf fish, dried lime and a tomato-based sauce.
Mutabbaq samakWhole spiced lamb on a bed of cardamom rice — Kuwait's celebration feast dish for national days and weddings.
JireeshGrilled Gulf shrimp with lemon and sumac — the seafood of the Gulf with Persian and Kuwaiti spice traditions.
MargoogFried dough balls drenched in date molasses — Kuwait's most famous sweet, sold at markets and distributed at celebrations.
SamboosaSlow-cooked Gulf rice with lamb and Gulf spices including dried lime and saffron — a Kuwaiti variation of the regional pilaf.
LuqaimatFresh Medjool dates — Kuwait's most important traditional food, eaten with Arabic coffee at every social occasion.

What to drink

Arabic coffeeGreen cardamom Arabic coffee served from a dallah pot — Kuwait's ceremonial welcome drink, poured from right to left in order of respect.
Karak teaKarak chai — strong black tea with evaporated milk and cardamom — Kuwait's most widely drunk tea, adopted from the South Asian tea tradition.
LabanTamarind juice — sour, cooling and served chilled; a widely consumed Kuwaiti soft drink at outdoor celebrations.
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Kuwait culture

Kuwaiti culture blends Gulf seafaring, pearling memory, merchant families, diwaniya gatherings, oil wealth and modern urban life. National Day makes that identity loud and visible.

Gulf Road celebrationsThe waterfront fills with flags, cars, crowds and fireworks.
Diwaniya cultureSocial reception rooms are central to political and family conversation.
Pearling heritageBoats and songs recall the pre-oil economy of the Gulf.
Kuwait TowersThe landmark towers are lit and photographed during national celebrations.