ramadan 2026: What to Expect and When the Fast Will Likely Begin
Muslim communities worldwide are preparing for ramadan 2026, which is expected to fall in mid-February 2026. While astronomical calculations give a likely window for the start and finish of the holy month, exact dates will be confirmed locally after sightings of the new moon. Below is a concise guide to the anticipated schedule, how the date is set, and what communities in Eastern Time should expect.
Likely start and finish dates (Eastern Time)
Based on lunar-cycle calculations, ramadan 2026 is expected to begin on the evening of February 17, 2026 (ET), with the first full day of fasting on February 18, 2026 (ET). The month will run for 29 or 30 days depending on the lunar observation, placing Eid al-Fitr—the festival that marks the end of Ramadan—around March 18 or March 19, 2026 (ET).
Those dates are forecast windows rather than fixed appointments. Communities will confirm the start of fasting only after local religious authorities announce whether the new crescent moon has been sighted. For planning purposes, many mosques and institutions publish tentative calendars that note the possible start and end dates, then update them once a sighting is declared.
Why exact timing varies: moon sightings, calculations and community practice
The Islamic calendar is lunar, and a month begins when a new crescent moon becomes visible after sunset. Some communities rely on direct local sightings, others accept regional or global sightings, and some use astronomical calculations to determine dates in advance. Those differences lead to variation in start dates across countries, regions and even within cities.
Weather and horizon conditions can prevent a visible crescent on the predicted evening, pushing the start of ramadan back by a day. Conversely, if observers confirm the crescent early, the month may begin on the earlier projected date. Faith leaders typically communicate their chosen method for sighting well in advance so worshippers can make travel, work and school arrangements.
Practical impacts for communities in Eastern Time
Because ramadan 2026 is expected in February, fasting hours in the Eastern Time zone will be shorter than during summer months—generally in the neighborhood of 11 to 12. 5 hours, depending on exact location and whether the month is 29 or 30 days. Sunrise and sunset times will determine Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and Iftar (evening meal) schedules, so local mosques will publish daily prayer and meal times once the month starts.
Organizers of community Iftars, taraweeh prayers and charity drives should finalize logistics now: meal planning, volunteer staffing and COVID-19 health guidance if still relevant. Employers and schools typically receive advance notice from community leaders when a likely start window is shared, but official adjustments—such as closures or schedule changes—depend on local religious decisions.
Ramadan brings heightened communal activity and charitable initiatives. Even before a final date is set, many organizations publish tentative schedules and volunteer sign-ups to prepare for the anticipated mid-February start. Worshippers and community members are encouraged to monitor announcements from their local religious authorities for the official moon-sighting decision that will finalize the opening night of ramadan 2026 (ET).
