When is Eid 2026? Check the Date and Why Does it Vary Every Year?

Festivals often bring people together in a spirit of joy, tradition and community. Among the many celebrations which are observed all over the world, Eid-ul-Fitr has a special place in the hearts of millions.

The festival celebrates the culmination of the holy month of Ramadan, which is dedicated to fasting, praying, giving charity and spiritual reflection. 

After a month of discipline and devotion, Eid comes along as a day of gratitude and happiness and togetherness.

However, many people are wondering what the date of Eid in 2026 is. Since the Islamic festivals follow the lunar calendar, the date is always changing and each year depends on the sighting of the crescent moon.

Recently, Fatehpuri Masjid Imam Mufti Mukarram Ahmad told PTI, that the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee of the mosque has contacted many places, and was cnformed that the moon was not sighted.

So, Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated across most of India on Saturday, March 21, 2026, following the conclusion of the 30-day Ramadan fast.

While, whole nations is awaits for Saturdy, March 21, to celebrate the Eid, but Kerala will celebrate the festival a day earlier, on Friday, March 20, 2026.

Clerics in the state, including Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal and Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar, confirmed that the Shawwal moon was successfully sighted at Chettippadi in Parappanangadi.

Eid 2026 Date: March 20 or March 21?

Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of the month year of Shawwal (10th month of Islamic calendar) The start of Shawwal is only confirmed with the inauguration of the crescent moon.

According to the present astronomical prediction and religious authorities:

The Shawwal moon is sighted on the evening of 19 March 2026 in the Saudi Arabia, and here, the Eid is celebrated on 20 March 2026, including, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Turkey

As, in India, the moon was not sighetd, after the confirmation from Fatehpuri Masjid Imam Mufti Mukarram Ahmad to Naib Shahi Imam Syed Shaban Bukhari of Jama Masjid. So, whole India will celebrate the Eid on 21st March 2026, accept the Kerala.

The Kerala state has confirm that the moon is sighted at the Chettippadi in Parappanangadi. So, here the Eid will be celebrated on 20 March 2026.

Why does the Date of Eid Change from Year to Year?

Unlike the Gregorian Calendar, Islamic Calendar is based on the lunar cycle. Each month starts on the sighting of the new crescent moon in the sky.

As there are ten to eleven fewer days in the lunar year than in the solar year, the Islamic festivals recede annually in the Gregorian calendar.

Due to this system, it is not known with certainty when the day of Eid is because of sighting the moon.

To conclude, Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 is expected to fall on either 20 March or 21 March, depending on the sight of Shawwal crescent moon. 

In India the date for the festival will most likely be celebrated on 21 March 2026 but the final date will be officially announced on the sighting of the moon.

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