The days leading up to National Day turn Kuwait into a sea of green, white, red and black — the colours of the Kuwaiti flag. Cars are decorated with flags, shop windows are filled with national colours and children wear ribbons and face paint. Schools hold special assemblies where children perform songs, recite poetry and present artwork about what Kuwait means to them.
The centrepiece of National Day is the grand parade through Kuwait City. Marching bands play, schoolchildren wave flags, cultural groups perform traditional dances including the ardha, and giant floats decorated with national symbols move slowly through the crowds. The parade is broadcast on television and watched by Kuwaitis everywhere, including those living abroad.
At night, spectacular fireworks are launched over Kuwait Bay. The reflections in the water double every burst of colour, so the sky and the sea both light up together. Families spread picnic blankets on the Corniche waterfront hours before dark to claim the best viewing spots, and the atmosphere is festive and joyful throughout the night.
The national anthem of Kuwait — called 'Al-Nasheed Al-Watani' — is sung at schools, in public squares and in stadiums during the celebrations. Children learn the words by heart at a young age. The anthem and the flag are powerful symbols of shared identity, and during National Day everyone feels the pride of belonging to a country with its own unique history and culture.