This paper has two aims: First, to offer an analysis of the way Arab states celebrate and commemorate their national holidays; and second, to compare between the Arab and Western-European models of celebrations. Most of the Arab states are modern creations, formed by the Western powers in the aftermath of World War I, following the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire. Within the processes of nation-building and state-formation, the Arab state used various instruments in order to build the local territorial identity: education, archeology, history, literature – and state celebrations as well. In fact, each nation-state – like the European model – represented itself through a plethora of symbols – of which flag and hymn were the most important – as well as the national calendar, which tells the national historical narrative through the celebration and commemoration of national days. On the basis of the analysis of six Arab case studies (Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Saudi Arabia), this paper will show how state – secular and religious – holidays helped forging the nation and to what extent Western paradigms are relevant to the Arab world. The research shows that four reasons led to the invention of a national calendar. The first is the need to develop a national identity. The second is the regime’s need to establish legitimacy. The third is connected with the regimes’ desire to maintain hegemony and elicit obedience by creating fearful citizens. And finally, national celebrations have a psychological function, responding to the need of the individual to feel part of a larger community. The research found that state celebrations constitute a contesting ground – or negotiation space – between tradition and modernity, and between Islamic and non-Islamic elements. The end result was the formation of a hybrid political culture. The new symbolic market included modern Western and Eastern inventions, as well as Islamic and pre-Islamic traditions – sometimes adopted in a modern guise. This hybridization is not only a product of the colonial period, but of various Arab regimes, which have used this market freely in accordance with their interests and needs.