Millions start checking the calendar months in advance for the next Islamic holiday—and the strongest consensus among astronomical calculations points to May 27, 2026, as the expected date for Eid al-Adha.

4 related posts

Expected Date: May 27, 2026 · Hijri Date: 10 Dhul Hijjah 1447 · Start of Arafat Day: May 26, 2026 · Duration: 3-4 days · Global Variations: Tentative, moon-sighting dependent

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah (Muslim Aid)
  • Arafah Day precedes Eid by one day — the 9th of Dhul Hijjah (STORY Rabat)
  • The UAE Cabinet has approved Arafah Day and Eid holidays as public holidays (Gulf News)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact Gregorian date may shift 24–48 hours depending on official moon sighting (STORY Rabat)
  • Regional holiday lengths vary — some countries extend celebrations through May 31 or longer (Office Holidays)
  • No official Saudi confirmation yet for 2026 dates (Letoonia)
3Timeline signal
  • Hajj begins around May 25 (8th Dhul Hijjah) (Gulf News)
  • Eid al-Adha celebrations run approximately May 27–30 across most regions (STORY Rabat)
  • Days of Tashriq (11th–13th Dhul Hijjah) extend through May 28–30, 2026 (Muslim Aid)
4What’s next
  • Religious authorities will confirm final dates after Dhul Hijjah moon sighting in 2026 (STORY Rabat)
  • Countries following Saudi moon sighting may shift by one day (Khaleej Times)
  • Plan travel and holiday arrangements with May 27 as the most likely start date (BENO)

The table below consolidates the key dates, statuses, and regional information for Eid al-Adha 2026 planning.

Label Value
Primary Date Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Hijri Equivalent 10 Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH
Arafat Day Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Status Expected/Tentative
Hajj Start Estimate May 25, 2026
UAE Holiday Duration 3 days (May 27–29)
Days of Tashriq End May 30, 2026
Variation Window 24–48 hours depending on moon sighting

When is Eid al-Adha 2026?

Astronomical projections from multiple sources converge on May 27, 2026, as the most likely date for Eid al-Adha. This date corresponds to the 10th of Dhul Hijjah in the Islamic calendar, the lunar month that governs the timing of the Hajj pilgrimage and its concluding celebration.

Expected Gregorian date

The consensus among calendar calculations places Eid al-Adha 2026 on Wednesday, May 27. Ibrahim Al Jarwan of the Emirates Astronomical Society has indicated this date as the probable start, with the Day of Arafah falling on Tuesday, May 26, according to Gulf News. The Hajj pilgrimage itself begins around May 25, 2026 (8th Dhul Hijjah).

Hijri calendar alignment

The Hijri calendar is lunar-based, meaning each month begins with the sighting of a new moon. Eid al-Adha always falls on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic year. This fixed Hijri position means the Gregorian equivalent shifts approximately 10–11 days earlier each year, a pattern that brings the 2026 celebration into late May.

Regional variations

While May 27 represents the projected consensus, actual celebrations may vary by country. According to Office Holidays, some nations may observe Eid on May 30–31 or even June 2, depending on their moon-sighting methodology and local religious authority decisions.

The catch

One outlier source (Letoonia) lists June 26, 2026, for Eid al-Adha—contradicting the near-unanimous May 27 projection. Travelers and planners should verify which calendar methodology their destination follows.

What are the two dates for Eid al-Adha 2026?

Eid al-Adha itself always occurs on a single date in the Hijri calendar, but two key dates frame the observance: Arafah Day and the Eid celebration itself.

Primary date and Arafat Day

The Day of Arafah (Yawm Arafat) falls on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah—Tuesday, May 26, 2026. On this day, pilgrims gathered at Mount Arafat complete the central rite of Hajj. For those not making pilgrimage, fasting on Arafah Day is considered highly meritorious, as detailed in guides to intermittent spiritual fasting practices. Eid al-Adha follows on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah—Wednesday, May 27, 2026.

Why dates vary by location

Different countries follow different moon-sighting authorities. Nations that rely on Saudi Arabia’s official sighting may celebrate on a different day than those using local sighting committees or astronomical calculations. STORY Rabat notes that this can result in 24–48 hour differences between countries, occasionally even within the same region.

The implication: anyone planning travel or scheduling around Eid al-Adha 2026 should check the specific dates announced by their local religious authorities rather than relying on a single global date.

Has Eid 2026 been confirmed?

As of now, all available dates for Eid al-Adha 2026 remain projections based on astronomical calculations. No official confirmation has been issued by the Saudi Supreme Court or equivalent bodies for the 2026 Dhul Hijjah moon sighting.

Current status

The May 27 date represents the strongest consensus among calendar sources, verified by eight independent calculations according to research compiled from STORY Rabat. However, Khaleej Times notes that Saudi moon sighting may influence aligned countries, potentially shifting the date by one day.

Factors affecting confirmation

The final determination depends entirely on the actual sighting of the Dhul Hijjah moon, which traditionally occurs near the end of the previous month (Dhu al-Qa’dah). This sighting must be verified by credible witnesses and ratified by religious authorities before a definitive date is announced.

What this means: travelers and businesses should treat May 27 as the expected date while monitoring announcements from local religious councils in the weeks leading up to Dhul Hijjah.

What is the date of Qurbani Eid 2026?

Qurbani Eid is simply another name for Eid al-Adha—the holiday that commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God, before a lamb was provided as a substitute.

Qurbani alignment with Eid al-Adha

The ritual of Qurbani (or Udhiyah)—the sacrifice of an animal—is performed during Eid al-Adha, specifically on the days of Tashriq: the 10th through 13th of Dhul Hijjah. For 2026, this means the sacrifice window opens May 27 and closes May 30, according to Muslim Aid.

Sacrifice timing

The preferred time for Qurbani is after the Eid prayer on the first day, but it remains valid through the three days of Tashriq. Muslim Aid confirms that Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah with the Qurbani sacrifice aligned to this date.

The pattern: regardless of which day you observe Eid in your region, the Qurbani sacrifice follows the same lunar calendar across the Islamic world. Festive preparations often include traditional meat dishes, with regional beef recipes featured in many households during this period.

How many days later is Eid-Ul-Adha 2026?

The countdown to Eid al-Adha 2026 depends entirely on when you’re reading this. The holiday arrives approximately in late May, placing it roughly six months after Eid ul-Fitr (the “Small Eid” marking Ramadan end).

Days from now

If you’re viewing this in early 2026, Eid al-Adha falls about 5–6 months after the start of the year. From mid-2025, it’s roughly 11 months away. The precise day count changes daily, but the May 27 anchor point gives you a concrete target.

Relation to other holidays

Eid ul-Fitr 2026 is expected to fall around March 20–21, marking the end of Ramadan. Eid al-Adha arrives approximately two months later. Importantly, there is no “two Ramadan” scenario in 2026—each Islamic year contains exactly one Ramadan. The Hijri calendar simply continues its cycle through Dhul Hijjah after Ramadan concludes.

What to watch: Ramadan 2027 will begin roughly 10 months after Eid al-Adha 2026, creating the familiar rhythm that Muslim communities follow each year.

Key dates timeline

The timeline below maps the key events from Hajj preparation through the Days of Tashriq.

Date/Period Event
May 25, 2026 Hajj begins (8th Dhul Hijjah) (Gulf News)
May 26, 2026 Arafah Day (9th Dhul Hijjah) (STORY Rabat)
May 27–29, 2026 Eid al-Adha celebrations (10th–12th Dhul Hijjah) (Khaleej Times)
May 28–30, 2026 Days of Tashriq (11th–13th Dhul Hijjah) (Muslim Aid)

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Eid al-Adha occurs on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah
  • Arafah Day falls one day before Eid
  • UAE has officially declared May 26–29, 2026, as public holidays
  • Most projections converge on May 27, 2026, for Eid start
  • Qurbani window spans 10th–13th Dhul Hijjah

What’s still unclear

  • Final date depends on 2026 moon sighting confirmation
  • Regional celebrations may span May 27–31 or longer in some countries
  • No official Saudi announcement yet
  • North American and Indonesian dates less documented

What sources say

These dates have been indicated by Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Astronomical Society.

— Gulf News (Regional news outlet with UAE government connections)

The exact timing depends on the moon sighting for the month of Dhul-Hijjah.

— STORY Rabat (Travel and cultural blog)

Dates may shift slightly by one day depending on the official moon sighting in Saudi Arabia.

— Khaleej Times (UAE English-language newspaper)

Editor’s note

The Eid al-Adha 2026 date of May 27 represents the strongest consensus among available sources, but it remains an astronomical projection until official moon sighting confirmation. Always verify with your local religious authority for the most accurate observance date.

Related coverage: 2026 moon sighting guide fördjupar bilden av Eid ul Adha 2026: Date, Time & Moon Sighting Guide.

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Frequently asked questions

Why might Eid al-Adha 2026 have two dates?

Some countries follow the Saudi moon sighting, while others use local sighting committees or astronomical calculations. This can result in a 24–48 hour difference between countries or even within a single nation, causing Eid celebrations to fall on different calendar dates.

What time does Eid ul Adha 2026 start?

Eid al-Adha begins at sundown on the preceding day due to the Islamic calendar’s lunar system. If Eid is May 27, celebrations technically begin at sundown on May 26. The Eid prayer typically takes place after sunrise on the official day.

Is Eid ul Adha 2026 confirmed in Ireland?

Ireland follows the Islamic calendar for religious observances, and sources like Muslim Pro project May 27, 2026 (10 Dhul Hijjah 1447) as the expected date. However, local mosque authorities make the final determination based on sighting reports.

How does Eid al-Adha 2026 relate to Ramadan?

Eid al-Adha comes approximately two months after Eid ul-Fitr, which marks Ramadan end. Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin around February 17. There is no double-Ramadan scenario—each Islamic year has exactly one Ramadan.

What is Small Eid 2026?

“Small Eid” refers to Eid ul-Fitr, the celebration marking the end of Ramadan. Eid ul-Fitr 2026 is expected around March 20–21, 2026, following the completion of the Islamic month of Ramadan.

How many days until Eid ul Adha 2026 from today?

The countdown depends on your current date. If Eid al-Adha 2026 is May 27, you can calculate days remaining by counting from today’s date to May 27, 2026. Bookmark this page and check back as the date approaches for updated information.

When is Eid ul Fitr 2026?

Eid ul-Fitr 2026 is expected to fall around March 20–21, 2026, marking the end of Ramadan. The exact date depends on the Shawwal moon sighting.

For those planning ahead, the May 27, 2026, date provides a solid anchor—but verify with your local mosque or religious council as Dhul Hijjah approaches. Regional variations mean that your specific observance date may differ by a day or two from the global consensus.