Key dates for Ramadan and Eid 2027
Expected dates come from the Umm al-Qura calendar, the official calendar of Saudi Arabia. The last column shows the other possible date if the moon sighting differs.
| Event | Expected date | Could also be |
|---|---|---|
| Moon sighting for Ramadan (29 Sha'ban) | Saturday 6 February 2027, after sunset | — |
| First taraweeh prayer | Sunday 7 February 2027, evening | Saturday 6 February, evening |
| First day of fasting (1 Ramadan 1448) | Monday 8 February 2027 | Sunday 7 February 2027 |
| Start of the last ten nights | Evening of Saturday 27 February 2027 | One day earlier |
| 27th night of Ramadan | Evening of Friday 5 March 2027 | One day earlier |
| Eid al-Fitr (1 Shawwal 1448) | Tuesday 9 March 2027 | Monday 8 or Wednesday 10 March |
| Day of Arafah (9 Dhu al-Hijjah) | Saturday 15 May 2027 | One day either side |
| Eid al-Adha (10 Dhu al-Hijjah) | Sunday 16 May 2027 | Saturday 15 or Monday 17 May |
Dates are calculated from the Umm al-Qura calendar on 14 October 2026. They are not official announcements.
Why the date is not fixed yet
The Islamic calendar is lunar. Each month begins when the new crescent moon is seen after sunset on the 29th day of the previous month. If the crescent is not seen, the month completes 30 days. For Ramadan 2027, the sighting is due on the evening of Saturday 6 February 2027, which is 29 Sha'ban 1448. If the crescent is seen that evening, the first fast is on Sunday 7 February. If not, Sha'ban completes 30 days and Ramadan begins on Monday 8 February, which is the date the Umm al-Qura calendar gives. Astronomical calculations are used to plan, but the announcement is what counts.
Who announces Ramadan and Eid
Each country announces its own dates, so the UAE and Saudi Arabia usually, but not always, start on the same day.
- Saudi Arabia: the Supreme Court calls on the public to look for the crescent and announces the result on the evening of the 29th, based on testimony from official observatories and witnesses.
- UAE: the UAE moon-sighting committee meets on the evening of the 29th, reviews observations from the country's observatories, and announces the start of the month through official media.
- Other countries such as Oman, Pakistan and India often start a day later, because they rely on local sighting.
Eid al-Fitr 2027 holidays for the private sector
The holiday dates are announced shortly before Eid, but recent years give a clear pattern. In the UAE, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has given private-sector workers a paid holiday from 29 Ramadan to 3 Shawwal, so if Eid falls on Tuesday 9 March 2027, the break would likely run from Monday 8 to Thursday 11 March, followed by the weekend. In Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has given the private and non-profit sectors four days off starting at the end of the working day on 29 Ramadan, under Article 24 of the labour law's executive regulations. Government employees in both countries often get a longer break. Treat these as estimates until the official circulars are published.
Working hours during Ramadan
Both countries shorten the working day during the holy month. In the UAE, Article 15(2) of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 reduces private-sector working hours by two hours a day during Ramadan, for every employee regulated by MoHRE, whether or not they fast. In Saudi Arabia, Article 98 of the labour law limits working hours for Muslim employees to six hours a day, or 36 hours a week, during Ramadan. Employers may agree flexible or remote arrangements within these limits, and work beyond the reduced hours counts as overtime.
Planning your Ramadan
Knowing the expected dates early helps with leave requests, travel, school planning and budgets. Many people also use Ramadan to pay their zakat, since good deeds in the holy month carry a special reward. Zakat al-Fitr, the small charity paid for each family member, must be given before the Eid prayer; charities in the UAE and Saudi Arabia announce the amount per person each year. Use the tools on this page to check today's Hijri date, convert any date between the Hijri and Gregorian calendars, and work out the zakat due on your savings and gold.