There are two main holidays in Islam that are celebrated by Muslims worldwide: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al Adha. The timing of both holidays are set by the lunar Islamic calendar, which is based upon the cycle of the moon, and so is different from the more common, European, solar-based Gregorian calendar. Every year, the Gregorian dates of the Islamic holidays change.
Both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha follow a period of 9 holy days or nights: the last 9 nights of Ramadan for Eid al-Fitr, and the first 9 days of Dhu al-Hijjah for Eid al-Adha. The Night of Power (Arabic: لیلة القدر, romanized: Laylat al-Qadr), one of the last 10 nights of Ramadan, is the holiest night of the year. Conversely, the Day of Arafah, the day before Eid al-Adha, is the holiest day of the Islamic year.
There are a number of other days of note as well as festivals, some common to all Muslims, others specific to Shia Islam or branches thereof.
Additionally, Friday is considered the holiest day of the week, and, in Islamic tradition, is considered a celebration in itself. Friday prayers (Juma) are congregational prayers held in mosques, and Muslims are encouraged to wear clean and refined clothes, perfume, and bathe. It is customary to eat special meals with family on this day.
Holidays
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan (a month of fasting during daylight hours), and Muslims may perform acts of zakat (charity) on the occasion, which begins after the new moon is sighted for the beginning of the month of Shawwal. Celebration begins with prayers on the morning of 1 Shawwal, followed by breakfast, and often celebratory meals throughout the day.
Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, when the Hajj pilgrimage takes place which lasts for four days. Muslims may perform an act of zakat and friendship by slaughtering a sheep or cow and distributing the meat to family, friends, and the poor. Muslims are also encouraged to be especially friendly and reach out to one another during this period.
Religious practices Fasting
Muslims celebrate when they believe the Quran was first revealed to Muhammed by fasting from dawn to sunset during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Fasting is considered a purifying experience so that Muslims can gain compassion and deepen their faith in God. Those with certain health conditions such as diabetes, and children are exempt from fasting. Travelers, and women who are menstruating or nursing a baby, are exempt from fasting but are required to fast later.
Pilgrimage Umrah
Hajj
Eid
Dates of holidays and other days of note The Islamic calendar is based on the synodic period of the Moon's revolution around the Earth, approximately 29 days. The Islamic calendar alternates months of 29 and 30 days (which begin with the new moon). Twelve of these months make up an Islamic year, which is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year. Some Gregorian dates may vary slightly from those given, and may also vary by country. See Islamic calendar.
Holiday Name Hijri Date, 1448 AH Gregorian Date, 2026-27 Islamic New Year 1 Muḥarram 17 June 2026 Tasu'a 9 Muharram25 June 2026 Ashura 10 Muḥarram 26 June 2026 Arbaʽeen 20 or 21 Ṣafar 5 or 6 August 2026 Akhiri Chahar Shambah Last Wednesday of Ṣafar 12 August 2026 Eid-e-Shuja' (Eid-e-Zahra) 9 Rabī‘ al-Awwal 22 August 2026 Mawlid an-Nabī(Birthday of Muhammad) 12 Rabī‘ al-Awwal 25 August 2026 Beginning the Three Holy Months 1 Rajab 11 December 2026 Laylat al-Raghaib 2 Rajab 12 December 2026 Birthday of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib 13 Rajab 23 December 2026 Laylat al-Mi'raj 26 Rajab or 27 Rajab 6 or 7 January 2027 Laylat al-Bara'at 15 Sha‘bān 25 January 2027 Birthday of Hujjat-Allah al-Mahdī 15 Sha‘bān 25 January 2027 First day of Ramaḍān 1 Ramaḍān 10 February 2027 Laylat al-Qadr 21, 23, 25, 27, or 29 Ramaḍān 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 March 2027 Jumu'atul-Wida Last Friday in the month of Ramadan before Eid al-Fitr5 March 2027 Chaand Raat 1 or 2 Shawwāl10 or 11 March 2027 Eid al-Fitr 1 Shawwāl 12 March 2027 Hajj 8–13 Dhū al-Ḥijja 16 - 21 May 2027 Day of Arafah 9 Dhū al-Ḥijja 17 May 2027 Eid al-Adha 10 Dhū al-Ḥijja 18 May 2027 Eid al-Ghadir 18 Dhū al-Ḥijja 26 May 2027 Eid al-Mubahalah 24 Dhū al-Ḥijja 1 June 2027
Notes
References
Further reading Leaman, Oliver, "Festivals of Love", in Muhammad in History, Thought, and Culture: An Encyclopedia of the Prophet of God (2 vols.), Edited by C. Fitzpatrick and A. Walker, Santa Barbara, ABC-CLIO, 2014, Vol I, pp. 197–199.
External links The Umm al-Qura Calendar of Saudi Arabia (with date converter valid from 1937 to 2077)