Eid al-Fitr 2027
March 9, 2027
About Eid al-Fitr 2027
Eid al-Fitr 2027 is expected on Tuesday 9 March 2027. The date is expected and confirmed by moon sighting: Eid al-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, the month after Ramadan, and begins when the new crescent moon is sighted, so celebrations may start a day later in some countries.
| Year | Expected date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday 20 March 2026 |
| 2027 | Tuesday 9 March 2027 |
| 2028 | Sunday 27 February 2028 |
What is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Breaking the Fast, marks the end of Ramadan, the month of daytime fasting observed by Muslims worldwide. It is one of the two major festivals in Islam, alongside Eid al-Adha, and is celebrated over one to three days depending on the country. The day begins with a special congregational prayer shortly after sunrise, often held outdoors or in large venues, followed by visits to family and friends, new clothes, gifts for children and shared meals.
Before the Eid prayer, Muslims are required to pay zakat al-fitr, a charitable donation that allows poorer families to celebrate too. In the UK, Eid prayers are held at mosques and in parks such as Small Heath Park in Birmingham, which regularly hosts one of the largest gatherings in Europe. Dates and prayer details are published by mosques and by the Muslim Council of Britain. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, Eid moves around 11 days earlier each year.
Why it matters for marketers and organisations
Eid al-Fitr is the biggest celebration of the year for around four million British Muslims and is a public holiday in many countries, so employers should expect annual leave requests, sometimes at short notice because the exact date is confirmed only a day or two before. Schools may see high absence on the day. Retailers, food brands and restaurants see strong demand for gifts, sweets, clothing and family dining, and Eid gifting has become a recognised commercial season in the UK and US. The right angle is warmth and inclusion: an Eid Mubarak greeting, flexible leave and products that respect the occasion.
Ideas: how to mark Eid al-Fitr
- Allow staff to book Eid leave provisionally and confirm the exact day once the moon is sighted.
- Send an Eid Mubarak message from leadership to staff and customers on the day.
- Host an Eid lunch or sweet table in the office in the days after the festival.
- Stock an Eid gift range with cards, sweets and children’s gifts, launched in the last week of Ramadan.
- Support a local mosque or community group with a donation or volunteering for Eid prayers.
- Publish a short explainer on Eid customs for colleagues who are unfamiliar with them.
- Offer family meal deals or a special menu in hospitality venues for the three days of celebration.
- Avoid scheduling important deadlines or events on the expected date and the day after.
Key facts
- Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar.
- Zakat al-fitr must be paid before the Eid prayer and is usually the cost of a meal per person.
- Eid al-Fitr is a public holiday in more than 40 countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, Malaysia and Indonesia.
- The 2021 Census counted 3.9 million Muslims in England and Wales.
- The traditional greeting is Eid Mubarak, meaning blessed festival.
Frequently asked questions
When is Eid al-Fitr 2028?
Eid al-Fitr 2028 is expected on Sunday 27 February 2028, following a Ramadan that is expected to begin on Friday 28 January 2028. Final dates depend on moon sighting and may differ by a day between countries.
Why does the date of Eid change every year?
The Islamic calendar is based on the cycles of the moon and has 354 or 355 days, so Islamic months move around 11 days earlier each year against the Gregorian calendar. Over about 33 years Eid passes through every season.
What is the difference between Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha?
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan. Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, comes about 70 days later at the end of the Hajj pilgrimage and commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son.
Published 28 August 2026: dates checked for 2026 to 2028.
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