The holy month is expected to begin in mid-February. Here’s what that means for your calendar.
Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin on 18 February, based on current astronomical calculations. As always, final confirmation will come from the UAE’s official Moon-sighting committee closer to the date.
The Islamic calendar is lunar, which means Ramadan shifts earlier each year by roughly 10 to 12 days. This year, the start of Eid Al Fitr is forecast for 20 March, marking the end of the fasting period. Further into the year, Eid Al Adha is expected to fall on 27 May, and the Islamic New Year is likely to begin around 17 June, welcoming in the year 1448 on the Hijri calendar.
These early forecasts are useful for those planning their leave in advance. With some strategic planning, you could potentially turn your annual leave into long breaks, and in some cases stretching to over 40 days off across the year using only 14 days of annual leave. This depends on how your company calculates leave days, whether based on calendar days or working days.
Looking ahead to 2027, Ramadan is expected to begin around 6 February, with Eid Al Fitr likely to fall on 8 March. This pattern of Ramadan landing in the earlier part of the Gregorian calendar is expected to continue until the early 2030s, before shifting toward the end of the year once again.
Whether you’re fasting, travelling, or just planning ahead, it’s always worth keeping an eye on these lunar forecasts, especially in a country where public holidays often come with a welcome chance to unplug.
Discover: Ramadan 2026: When it’s likely to fall in the UAE.
