Islamic Holiday Dates 2026 and 2027
| Holiday | Hijri date | 2026 (Gregorian) | 2027 (Gregorian) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Islamic New Year | 1 Muharram | Tue 16 June | Sun 6 June |
| Ashura | 10 Muharram | Thu 25 June | Tue 15 June |
| Mawlid al-Nabi | 12 Rabi al-Awwal | Tue 25 August | Sat 14 August |
| Isra and Mi'raj | 27 Rajab | Fri 16 January | Tue 5 January and Sat 25 December |
| Mid-Sha'ban | 15 Sha'ban | Tue 3 February | Sat 23 January |
| First day of Ramadan | 1 Ramadan | Wed 18 February | Mon 8 February |
| Laylat al-Qadr | Last 10 nights of Ramadan | Evenings of 9–18 March | Evenings of 27 February – 7 March |
| Eid al-Fitr | 1 Shawwal | Fri 20 March | Tue 9 March |
| Day of Arafah | 9 Dhul Hijjah | Tue 26 May | Sat 15 May |
| Eid al-Adha | 10 Dhul Hijjah | Wed 27 May | Sun 16 May |
Dates follow the Umm al-Qura calendar used in Saudi Arabia. The actual start of each month depends on local moon sighting and can differ by a day or more between countries, so confirm Eid dates and other key days with your local mosque. Islamic days begin at sunset, so each observance begins on the evening before the date shown (the Laylat al-Qadr row already lists those evenings). To check any other date, use our Hijri to Gregorian converter.
Ramadan & Laylat al-Qadr — The Month of Fasting
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Hijri calendar, when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset as the fourth pillar of Islam. It is the month in which the Qur'an was first revealed, and it ends with Eid al-Fitr.
Laylat al-Qadr
The Night of Power, described in the Qur'an as better than a thousand months (97:3). The Prophet ﷺ told Muslims to seek it in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan. — Sahih al-Bukhari
The Last Ten Nights
Many Muslims increase night prayer, Qur'an recitation and du'a throughout these nights, and some spend them in i'tikaf (spiritual retreat) in the mosque.
For the rules of fasting and a day-by-day routine, read our complete Ramadan guide.
Eid al-Fitr — The Festival of Breaking Fast
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is one of the two major Islamic festivals. It is a day of gratitude to Allah for the strength to complete the month of fasting, and a celebration of spiritual renewal.
Key Practices
Zakat al-Fitr (obligatory charity before the prayer), Eid Salah (two rak'ahs with extra takbirat), wearing best clothes, visiting family, exchanging gifts, and sharing festive meals.
Spiritual Significance
The Prophet ﷺ said: "For the one who fasts, there are two joys — joy when breaking the fast, and joy when meeting their Lord." — Sahih Muslim
The Eid prayer is offered in congregation on Eid morning and follows the same basic movements explained in our guide on how to pray Salah. Zakat al-Fitr is a small fixed amount per person; the annual zakat on savings is separate, and you can work it out with our zakat calculator.
It is haram (forbidden) to fast on Eid day. The day is exclusively for celebration, gratitude, and joy.
Eid al-Adha — The Festival of Sacrifice
Eid al-Adha is the greater of the two Eids, commemorating Prophet Ibrahim's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son Isma'il in obedience to Allah. It coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage.
Prophetic Hadith
"There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah." — Sahih al-Bukhari
The First 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah
These are the most virtuous days of the entire year. Muslims are encouraged to increase worship, fasting (especially the 9th — Day of Arafah), dhikr, charity, and good deeds.
Day of Arafah (9th)
Fasting on this day expiates sins of the previous year and the coming year. For Hajj pilgrims, standing at Arafah is the most important pillar of Hajj.
Recommended Acts
Fasting, extra prayers, abundant dhikr (SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah), reading Qur'an, and giving charity.
Islamic New Year (Hijri New Year)
The first day of Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar. It commemorates the Hijrah — the Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ migration from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE, a turning point in Islamic history.
Unlike secular New Year, the Islamic New Year is a time for quiet reflection, gratitude, and spiritual renewal — not festivities. Muharram is one of the four sacred months.
Learn the names and meanings of all twelve Hijri months in our Islamic calendar guide.
Ashura — The Day of Deliverance
Ashura commemorates the day Allah saved Prophet Musa (Moses) and the Children of Israel from Pharaoh. The Prophet ﷺ found the Jews of Madinah fasting this day and said: "We have more right to Musa than you," and he fasted it and commanded fasting it.
Fasting Ashura
Sunnah to fast the 10th of Muharram. The Prophet ﷺ recommended also fasting the 9th to differ from the People of the Book.
Reward
"Fasting the day of Ashura, I hope that Allah will expiate the sins of the year before it." — Sahih Muslim
Mawlid al-Nabi — The Prophet's Birthday
The 12th of Rabi al-Awwal is widely recognized as the birthday of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Practices vary across the Muslim world — some celebrate with gatherings of praise and Seerah readings, while others consider the day important but do not observe a specific celebration.
Common Observances
Recitation of Qur'an, Seerah (biography) lectures, nasheed (devotional poetry), communal meals, and sending salawat (blessings) upon the Prophet ﷺ.
Scholarly Perspective
Scholars differ on whether a formal celebration is recommended. All agree on the importance of loving, following, and sending blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ daily.
Isra & Mi'raj — The Night Journey
This night commemorates the miraculous journey of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Masjid al-Haram (Makkah) to Masjid al-Aqsa (Jerusalem) — the Isra — and his ascension through the heavens — the Mi'raj — where the five daily prayers were ordained.
Shab-e-Barat (Mid-Sha'ban Night)
The 15th night of Sha'ban is regarded by many scholars as a blessed night. Some hadiths mention that Allah looks upon His creation on this night and forgives all except those who associate partners with Him or harbour enmity.
Recommended Acts
Voluntary night prayers, seeking forgiveness, fasting the next day (15th Sha'ban), and making abundant du'a.
Scholarly Note
While some scholars consider the hadiths about this night weak, others grade them as acceptable when combined. The key is moderation and sincerity.
Hajj Season — The Annual Pilgrimage
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam, obligatory once in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able. Millions of Muslims gather in Makkah to perform rites tracing back to Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
Read how Hajj fits with prayer, zakat and fasting in our guide to the five pillars of Islam.
"Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or transgression shall return [free from sin] as on the day their mother bore them." — Sahih al-Bukhari
Regular Sunnah Fasting Days
Beyond the annual occasions, the Prophet ﷺ practiced regular voluntary fasting throughout the year. These are excellent habits for ongoing spiritual growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Islamic holidays are there?
Islam has two festivals observed by all Muslims: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Alongside them are sacred days and nights such as the Day of Arafah, Ashura, Laylat al-Qadr and the Islamic New Year, plus occasions like Mawlid al-Nabi, Isra and Mi'raj and Mid-Sha'ban that some communities mark. Which Muslim holidays are also public holidays depends on the country.
Why do Islamic holiday dates change every year?
The Hijri calendar is lunar: each month begins with the new crescent moon and lasts 29 or 30 days. Twelve lunar months add up to about 354 or 355 days, roughly 11 days shorter than the solar year. Islamic holidays therefore arrive 10 to 11 days earlier in the Gregorian calendar each year and pass through every season over about 33 years.
What are the two main Eids and how do they differ?
Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Breaking the Fast, falls on 1 Shawwal and marks the end of Ramadan; Zakat al-Fitr is paid before its prayer. Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, falls on 10 Dhul Hijjah during Hajj and remembers Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son. Both begin with a congregational Eid prayer, and Eid al-Adha also includes the Qurbani sacrifice.
Why can Eid fall on different days in different countries?
Each Islamic month starts when the new crescent moon is seen, and it cannot be seen everywhere on the same evening. Some countries rely on a local sighting, some follow Saudi Arabia's announcement, and others use astronomical calculations. As a result, Eid can fall a day apart, occasionally two, between countries or even between mosques in the same city.
Are Ashura and Mawlid observed by all Muslims?
Observance differs between communities. Many Sunni Muslims fast on Ashura, while for Shia Muslims it is also a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Husayn at Karbala. Mawlid is celebrated with gatherings and poetry in many countries, while other communities do not hold a specific celebration. Scholars hold different views on both, so practice varies from place to place.
What is the Day of Arafah?
The Day of Arafah is 9 Dhul Hijjah, the day before Eid al-Adha. Pilgrims spend it in prayer on the plain of Arafat near Makkah, the central rite of Hajj. Muslims who are not on pilgrimage are encouraged to fast that day, which the Prophet ﷺ said expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year (Sahih Muslim).
Have a broader question about Islamic belief or practice? See our frequently asked questions about Islam.
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