UAE Residents May Enjoy a 4-Day Eid Al Fitr 2026 Holiday

The anticipated Eid Al Fitr holiday for UAE residents in 2026 could stretch to four days, contingent on the sighting of the Shawwal crescent. Ramadan commenced on February 18, 2026, leading to a countdown for Eid festivities.

Ramadan and Eid Celebration Timeline

Fasting will last for either 29 or 30 days, depending on lunar visibility. The key date for determining the length of the holiday is March 18, the 29th day of Ramadan. On this date, official moon-sighting committees will convene to visualize the Shawwal crescent.

Eid Al Fitr Holiday Duration

The UAE’s official public holiday calendar stipulates that Eid Al Fitr is celebrated from Shawwal 1 to 3. In 2026, Eid falls between March 20 and March 22. The exact date hinges on whether the crescent is seen on March 18.

• If the crescent is sighted on March 18, Eid will start on March 19, leading to a four-day holiday from March 19 to March 22.
• If not sighted, Ramadan will extend to 30 days, starting Eid on March 20, resulting in a potential three-day break.

Holiday Confirmation

Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department has earmarked March 20 to March 22 as the probable Eid period for 2026, pending official sighting confirmation. Notably, a Cabinet resolution assures that if Ramadan lasts 30 days, the last day will also count as an official holiday.

Understanding the Shifting Dates

The Islamic Hijri calendar is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, causing Islamic months to move earlier each year within the solar calendar. In 2026, this results in Eid Al Fitr occurring in the third week of March.

Attention now focuses on March 18, when the moon’s visibility will determine the length and start of the Eid Al Fitr holiday in the UAE.