Cultural calendar
Islamic Calendar 2026 (AH 1447–1448)
The Islamic (Hijri) calendar is a 12-month lunar calendar of about 354 days. In 2026, parts of AH 1447 and AH 1448 fall within the Gregorian year.
2026 Islamic month starts (estimated)
Month starts depend on moon sighting and vary by region by ±1 day. The dates below are based on standard astronomical calculations.
| Hijri month | Gregorian start (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Rajab 1447 | Dec 21, 2025 |
| Sha'ban 1447 | Jan 19, 2026 |
| Ramadan 1447 | Feb 18, 2026 |
| Shawwal 1447 (Eid al-Fitr) | Mar 20, 2026 |
| Dhu al-Qa'dah 1447 | Apr 18, 2026 |
| Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 | May 18, 2026 |
| Muharram 1448 (Islamic New Year) | Jun 16, 2026 |
| Safar 1448 | Jul 16, 2026 |
| Rabi' al-Awwal 1448 | Aug 14, 2026 |
| Rabi' al-Thani 1448 | Sep 13, 2026 |
| Jumada al-Awwal 1448 | Oct 12, 2026 |
| Jumada al-Thani 1448 | Nov 11, 2026 |
| Rajab 1448 | Dec 10, 2026 |
Key dates in 2026
- Ramadan begins — around February 18, 2026 (first fast on the 18th; Tarawih prayers start the evening before).
- Laylat al-Qadr — sought in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan; the 27th night falls around March 15–16, 2026.
- Eid al-Fitr (1 Shawwal 1447) — around March 20, 2026.
- Day of Arafah (9 Dhu al-Hijjah) — around May 26, 2026.
- Eid al-Adha (10 Dhu al-Hijjah) — around May 27, 2026.
- Islamic New Year (1 Muharram 1448) — around June 16, 2026.
- Ashura (10 Muharram) — around June 25, 2026.
- Mawlid al-Nabi (12 Rabi' al-Awwal 1448) — around August 25, 2026.
All dates listed follow the Umm al-Qura calculation and are tentative until confirmed by local moon-sighting authorities. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, and Indonesia may announce dates one day earlier or later.
Planning ahead? The Islamic calendar 2027 (AH 1448–1449) has next year's Ramadan, Eid and month-start dates.
Frequently asked questions
When is Ramadan 2026?
Ramadan 1447 is expected to begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 and end on March 19, with Eid al-Fitr on March 20, 2026 — subject to moon sighting (±1 day).
When is Eid al-Adha 2026?
Around Wednesday, May 27, 2026 (10 Dhu al-Hijjah 1447), the day after the Day of Arafah on May 26.
Why does Ramadan move 10–11 days each year?
The Hijri year is about 354 days — 10–11 days shorter than the Gregorian year — so Islamic months drift relative to the seasons.
How is the start of Ramadan determined?
Traditionally by physical sighting of the new crescent moon. Many countries also use the astronomical Umm al-Qura calendar for advance planning.