Islam has two religious festivals: Eid al-Fitr, on 1 Shawwal at the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, on 10 Dhul Hijjah during the Hajj season. Both follow the lunar Hijri calendar, so they fall about 11 days earlier each year. Other special days, such as Arafah and Laylat al-Qadr, are occasions of worship rather than festivals.
What are the main Muslim festivals?
The two main Muslim festivals are Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. They are the only two annual festivals (Eids) set by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and they are celebrated by Muslims everywhere with prayer, family gatherings, charity and food.
Anas ibn Malik reported that when the Prophet ﷺ came to Madinah, its people had two days on which they used to play and celebrate. He said: "Allah has given you something better than them: the day of al-Adha and the day of al-Fitr" (Sunan Abu Dawud 1134).
The Prophet ﷺ also described Friday as a weekly day of Eid for Muslims. Beyond these, the Islamic year contains several blessed days and nights that Muslims mark with extra worship, such as fasting, prayer and supplication, rather than with festivities.
When are Muslim festivals?
Muslim festivals follow the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, which is lunar. A Hijri year has 12 months of 29 or 30 days each, totaling about 354 or 355 days, so every festival moves about 11 days earlier in the Gregorian calendar each year. Over roughly 33 years, Eid passes through every season.
Each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon. Some communities rely on a local sighting, some follow the announcement of another country, and others use astronomical calculation, which is why Eid can fall on different days in different places. Our guide to the Islamic calendar explains the twelve months and how they are determined.
Muslim festivals and special days at a glance
| Occasion | Hijri date | Type | What Muslims do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eid al-Fitr | 1 Shawwal | Festival | Pay Zakat al-Fitr, pray the Eid prayer, visit family, share food and gifts |
| Eid al-Adha | 10 Dhul Hijjah | Festival | Pray the Eid prayer, offer an animal sacrifice (udhiyah), share the meat with family and the poor |
| Days of Tashriq | 11 to 13 Dhul Hijjah | Part of Eid al-Adha | Remember Allah with takbir, eat and celebrate; fasting is not allowed |
| Friday (Jumu'ah) | Every week | Weekly Eid | Attend the Friday prayer, take a bath, send blessings on the Prophet ﷺ |
| First ten days of Dhul Hijjah | 1 to 10 Dhul Hijjah | Special days | Increase good deeds, dhikr, charity and fasting (except on Eid day) |
| Day of Arafah | 9 Dhul Hijjah | Special day | Pilgrims stand at Arafah; others fast and make supplication |
| Ramadan | Month 9 | Month of fasting | Fast from dawn to sunset, pray Taraweeh, read the Quran, give charity |
| Laylat al-Qadr | One of the last ten nights of Ramadan | Special night | Pray, recite the Quran and make supplication through the night |
| Day of Ashura | 10 Muharram | Special day | Fast, often together with the 9th or 11th of Muharram |
| Islamic New Year | 1 Muharram | Start of the Hijri year | Marked in many places as a public holiday; no specific prescribed worship |
What is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr, "the festival of breaking the fast", is celebrated on 1 Shawwal, the day after Ramadan ends. It marks the completion of a month of fasting, prayer and Quran recitation, and Muslims celebrate it as a day of gratitude to Allah.
The religious festival itself is one day, though in many countries families continue celebrating and visiting for two or three days. A typical Eid al-Fitr includes:
- Zakat al-Fitr: a set amount of staple food per person given to the poor before the Eid prayer. See our full guide to Zakat al-Fitr.
- The Eid prayer: two rak'ahs in congregation in the morning, followed by a sermon.
- Sunnahs of the day: taking a bath, wearing your best clothes, eating a few dates before the prayer and saying the takbir. Our list of 10 Sunnahs on the day of Eid covers each one.
- Family and community: greeting people with "Eid Mubarak", visiting relatives, giving children gifts or money (often called Eidiyah) and sharing special sweets and meals.
What is Eid al-Adha?
Eid al-Adha, "the festival of sacrifice", is celebrated on 10 Dhul Hijjah, the day after pilgrims stand at Arafah during the Hajj. It is sometimes called "Eid al-Kabir" (the greater Eid) and is the larger of the two festivals.
It commemorates the obedience of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon him, who was willing to sacrifice his son when Allah commanded him, before Allah ransomed the son with a great sacrifice (Quran 37:102-107). The festival continues through the three days of Tashriq, from 11 to 13 Dhul Hijjah.
Muslims who can afford it offer an animal sacrifice (udhiyah or qurbani), usually a sheep, goat, cow or camel. The majority of scholars consider this a confirmed Sunnah, while the Hanafi school considers it wajib for those who can afford it. It is recommended to keep some of the meat, give some to relatives and friends, and give some to the poor. Pilgrims in Makkah complete key rites of the Hajj on these days; you can read more in our guide to what the Hajj is.
Which other days are special in Islam?
Besides the two Eids, the Islamic year has several days and nights of special virtue. Muslims honor them through extra worship rather than as festivals.
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah
The Prophet ﷺ said that there are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days (Sahih al-Bukhari). Muslims increase their prayer, dhikr, charity and fasting, and many say the takbir often throughout these days.
The Day of Arafah
On 9 Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafah, the central rite of the Hajj. For those not on pilgrimage, fasting this day is a highly recommended Sunnah; the Prophet ﷺ said it expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year (Sahih Muslim).
Laylat al-Qadr
Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Decree, is the night the Quran was first revealed and is "better than a thousand months" (Quran 97:3). It falls in the last ten nights of Ramadan, most likely on an odd night. Learn more about the date of Laylat al-Qadr as indicated by the Prophet ﷺ.
The Day of Ashura
Ashura falls on 10 Muharram. The Prophet ﷺ fasted on it and said that fasting it expiates the sins of the previous year (Sahih Muslim). He also expressed his intention to fast the 9th as well, so many Muslims fast the 9th and 10th together.
What about other occasions such as the Mawlid?
Some Muslims also mark other dates, such as the Prophet's birthday (Mawlid) on 12 Rabi' al-Awwal in many traditions, the Night Journey (al-Isra wal-Mi'raj), often marked on 27 Rajab, and the middle night of Sha'ban. Scholars differ about whether these should be marked with special gatherings, and about the exact dates of some of them.
What all Muslims agree on is that the two Eids are the festivals prescribed in the Sunnah, and that the other special days above are times for increased worship. If you are unsure about a particular practice in your community, it is best to ask a qualified local scholar.
How can families make Muslim festivals meaningful?
The best celebrations combine worship and joy. Start the day with the Eid prayer, give charity, wear new or clean clothes, and then enjoy family time, food and gifts. Children remember the excitement of Eid for life, so involve them in decorating, preparing food or handing out gifts to neighbors.
For practical ideas, see our guide to activities to celebrate Eid in a halal way. Explaining the meaning behind each festival, from the patience of Ramadan to the obedience of Ibrahim, helps children connect the celebrations to their faith.
Can your family learn about Islamic occasions with a teacher?
Understanding the meaning, history and rulings of each festival makes it far more rewarding to celebrate. The online Islamic studies for kids course at Murouj Academy teaches children about worship, the Islamic calendar and the life of the Prophet ﷺ in live, private one-to-one classes.
Every teacher is a native Arab, and parents choose the teacher for their children. You can also explore one-to-one Quran classes for kids or book a free trial class to get started.
Frequently asked questions
How many Eids are there in Islam?
There are two annual Eids, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Friday is also described in the Sunnah as a weekly day of Eid for Muslims.
Which Muslim festival is bigger, Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha?
Eid al-Adha is often called the greater Eid because it lasts longer, through the days of Tashriq, and coincides with the Hajj. Both are equally recognized as the festivals of Islam.
Why do Muslim festivals change date every year?
The Islamic calendar is lunar and about 11 days shorter than the solar year, so each festival moves earlier in the Gregorian calendar every year.
How long does Eid last?
Eid al-Fitr is one day in religious terms, though many families celebrate for up to three days. Eid al-Adha is followed by the three days of Tashriq, giving four days of celebration.
Is the Islamic New Year a festival?
The Islamic New Year on 1 Muharram is a public holiday in many Muslim-majority countries, but it is not one of the two religious festivals and has no specific prescribed acts of worship.
