Eid ul Adha 2026: Date, Time & Moon Sighting Guide

If you’ve been checking calendars for next year’s major Islamic holiday, you’re not alone — and the answer involves a bit of patience. Eid ul Adha 2026 is widely predicted for May 27, but the exact date hinges on something older than any calendar: the sighting of the new moon. Here’s what the astronomical data and Islamic calendar sources actually show.

Expected Date: May 27, 2026 ·
Islamic Calendar: 10 Dhul Hijjah 1447 ·
Duration: 3–4 days ·
Moon Sighting Dependent: Yes ·
Primary Sources: Calendardate, Islamic Relief

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

The confusion around “two dates” stems from how Islamic days begin at sundown rather than midnight. According to CalendarDate, Eid al-Adha 2026 is celebrated from sundown Tuesday 26 May to sundown Wednesday 27 May. Islamic Relief Ireland lists the main celebration day as Wednesday 27 May 2026. Both are correct — they’re the same event viewed through the lens of different calendar systems.

Expected Gregorian dates

The expected Gregorian dates for Eid ul Adha 2026 run from the evening of 26 May through 30 May, with the primary day falling on 27 May. The UK GOV’s HM Nautical Almanac Office predicts that the crescent moon for Dhul Hijjah will be easily visible to the naked eye on 18 May 2026, which supports this timeline.

Islamic calendar alignment

In the Islamic lunar calendar, Eid ul Adha falls on 10 Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH. The Saudi Umm al-Qura calendar, widely followed internationally, predicts Eid on Wednesday 27 May 2026. Islamic Relief Ireland confirms both the Dhul Hijjah start (18 May) and the Eid date (27 May).

The pattern here is straightforward: Islamic tradition marks each day from one sundown to the next, so the “eve” of Eid on 26 May is technically the start of 10 Dhul Hijjah. For planning purposes, treat 27 May as the primary celebration day while recognizing that observances begin the evening before.

What is the date of Qurbani Eid 2026?

Qurbani Eid — another name for Eid ul Adha — is expected on 27 May 2026, corresponding to 10 Dhul Hijjah 1447. The Qurbani (sacrifice) itself can be performed anytime during the three to four days of the festival, from 10 Dhul Hijjah through 13 Dhul Hijjah.

Qurbani period

According to Muslim Aid, Eid ul-Adha is expected to fall on 27 May and end on 30 May, though the exact timing depends on moon sighting. The sacrifice commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to submit to Allah’s command, and it is performed by those who are financially able.

Global variations

Regional moon sighting committees may announce slightly different dates. The UK, for instance, has historically seen split celebrations when local sighting differs from Saudi Arabia. Ireland follows a similar pattern to the UK due to geographical proximity and shared astronomical visibility windows.

The implication for those planning Qurbani: book your sacrifice arrangement early but maintain flexibility, as the exact days your specific mosque observes may shift by a day if local sighting conditions differ from the Saudi calendar.

Has Eid 2026 been confirmed?

No official confirmation exists yet — and that’s normal for a holiday several months away. According to ISNA, Eid ul-Adha will occur approximately on May 27, 2026, though this may shift earlier or later depending on moon sighting at different locations.

Moon sighting dependency

The Islamic calendar is lunar-based, meaning each month begins only when the new crescent moon is sighted. The astronomical new moon for Dhul Hijjah 1447 occurs on 16 May 2026 at 20:01 UT. However, the actual month start depends on physical sighting by authorized committees. The UK GOV’s HM Nautical Almanac Office predicts that the crescent will be easily visible across the British Isles on 18 May 2026.

Current predictions

Multiple authoritative sources align on 27 May 2026 as the expected date: the Saudi Umm al-Qura calendar, Islamic Relief Ireland, and several Islamic calendar websites. The convergence of astronomical data and calendar predictions makes this the most likely date, but local sighting committees retain the final say.

The astronomical picture gives you a reliable working date, but the human confirmation process means you should stay alert to announcements from local Islamic organizations as May approaches.

What is Eid al-Adha?

Eid ul Adha — also called Qurbani Eid or the Festival of Sacrifice — is one of two major Islamic holidays. It falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar, immediately following the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.

Significance

The holiday commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) dream and his willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail as an act of obedience to Allah. At the last moment, Allah provided a ram to substitute, a story that underscores faith, submission, and gratitude. According to CalendarDate, Eid ul Adha is observed on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, commemorating Ibrahim’s sacrifice.

Celebrations

Typical traditions include wearing new clothes, attending Eid prayers at the mosque, visiting family and friends, and sharing festive meals that often include the meat from the Qurbani sacrifice. Muslim Aid notes that celebrations involve sharing meals with loved ones and giving to those in need. The festival typically lasts 3–4 days, from 10 through 13 Dhul Hijjah.

What this means for observers: the holiday combines spiritual reflection with community connection, making it both a personal and communal observance that extends beyond a single day of celebration.

What time is Eid ul Adha 2026?

Eid prayer times vary by location and are typically announced after the Day of Arafat (26 May 2026). According to Gotopray, Eid al-Adha prayer time is typically 15–20 minutes after sunrise, though this varies by city.

Prayer times

Eid prayers consist of two raka’ahs (units of prayer) performed in congregation. The prayer itself usually takes place after sunrise, once the sun has risen enough to clear the horizon. Final times for Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and other Irish cities will be announced by local mosques closer to the date.

Regional differences like Ireland

In Ireland, cities like Dublin, Cork, and Limerick align with the national prediction of 27 May 2026 for Eid, per Hamariweb. The qibla direction in Dublin is approximately 114 degrees west-south-east. The UK moon visibility predictions apply directly to Ireland due to the proximity — if the crescent is visible in London, it is typically visible in Dublin as well.

The practical takeaway: once the Day of Arafat passes on 26 May, your local mosque will publish specific prayer times, so monitor their communications in the final days before Eid.

For Muslims in Ireland planning to observe Eid ul Adha 2026, the path forward is straightforward: treat 27 May as your working date, stay tuned to announcements from Islamic Relief Ireland and your local mosque through May, and be aware that a one-day shift either way remains possible if sighting conditions differ. The astronomical picture is clear — the human confirmation is still a few months away.