Eid al-Adha 2026: Expected Dates, UAE Holidays & Predictions

Every year, Muslims around the world look skyward for the same reason: waiting to confirm when Eid al-Adha begins. In 2026, that question centers around a single date in late May — though the exact start hinges on a moon sighting that won’t happen until mid-May. Here’s what astronomical calculations and UAE authorities are already saying about the expected timing, the length of the holiday break, and what could still shift the calendar.

Expected Date: May 27, 2026 ·
Possible Start: Evening of May 26 ·
Arafat Day: May 26, 2026 ·
Duration: 3–4 days ·
UAE Break: Six days

These key details provide the essential facts about Eid al-Adha 2026 in the UAE.

What are the possible days for Eid al-Adha 2026?

Astronomical institutions across the UAE have converged on the same prediction: Eid al-Adha 2026 will fall on May 27, with Arafat Day preceding it on May 26. The Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences and Technology places the crescent birth at 12:01am UAE time on May 17, 2026, with conditions favorable for visibility by sunset that same evening.

Predictions from UAE sources

The Sharjah Academy for Astronomy (a Tier 2 academic institution) projects that the first day of Dhul Hijjah begins on May 18, 2026, with Eid al-Adha following 10 days later. The Emirates Astronomical Society independently confirms this timeline, with chairman Ibrahim Al Jarwan citing the moon’s age at sunset on May 17 as approximately 18 hours and 56 minutes, positioned at 10 degrees altitude.

Global calendar estimates

International calendar providers and regional observatories largely align with the UAE predictions. The Sharjah Space and Astronomy Hub (SSAH) forecast matches the May 27 start date, noting that if the crescent is sighted on May 17, the official month begins the following day. Regional variations typically stay within a single-day window of these predictions.

When is Eid al-Adha 2026?

The Islamic calendar’s lunar basis means dates shift approximately 10–11 days earlier each Gregorian year, but the precise start depends on physical moon sighting. The crescent for Dhul Hijjah is expected to become visible in UAE skies on the evening of May 17, 2026.

Expected evening start

Islamic days begin at sundown, so if the crescent is confirmed on May 17, the first day of Dhul Hijjah starts that evening. The Gulf News report on Ibrahim Al Jarwan’s predictions notes the moon sets 58 minutes after sunset on May 17, providing a favorable viewing window. The Islamic date of Dhul Hijjah 1 would then fall on May 18.

Day of Eid

Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, placing it at May 27, 2026 under the current astronomical projection. The The National reports the UAE moon-sighting committee will officially declare the start after confirming the crescent. Celebrations typically span three days, with May 27–29 as the core Eid period and May 30 potentially extending the break through the weekend.

Is Eid al-Adha 2026 confirmed?

No official confirmation has been issued as of early 2026. The dates circulating in media are predictions based on astronomical calculations, not rulings from religious authorities. The UAE Cabinet approves Eid holidays only after the moon-sighting committee makes its official announcement.

Moon-sighting dependency

The Khaleej Times emphasizes that official announcement responsibility lies with UAE religious authorities. The UAE’s centralized moon-sighting committee examines skies on the 29th day of the preceding month — in this case, around May 17. If clouds obscure the crescent, the month extends another day, pushing Eid to May 28.

Current predictions

Professor Hamid Al Naimiy, Director of the Sharjah Space and Astronomy Hub, forecasts Arafat Day on May 26 and Eid beginning May 27. The SSAH prediction has been corroborated by multiple astronomical sources, giving high confidence in the May 27 start date under clear skies. The Islamic calendar shifts 10–11 days earlier each Gregorian year, and current calculations place the lunar conjunction within the predicted window.

How long is Eid al-Adha in 2026?

The holiday duration varies by country and sector, but the UAE typically grants one of the longer breaks in the Gulf region. Understanding the structure helps workers and travelers maximize their time off.

Holiday duration

Eid al-Adha celebrations typically run 3–4 days minimum, comprising the day of Eid plus additional days for gathering and travel. The Times of India reports Arafah Day on May 26, with Eid al-Adha extending through May 29, giving a four-day minimum block.

UAE break details

The The National confirms the UAE government grants four days paid leave encompassing Arafat Day and the Eid holiday. When combined with the natural weekend of May 30–31, this creates a potential six-day break from May 26. Private sector workers should verify leave policies with employers, as some companies offer extended breaks or allow annual leave bridging.

What is the expected date of Eid 2026?

Multiple independent sources point to May 27, 2026 as the most probable start date for Eid al-Adha. The convergence of astronomical predictions, Islamic calendar calculations, and regional estimates creates a strong consensus despite the pending official confirmation.

Regional variations

While the UAE and many Gulf states align on the May 27 projection, some countries may observe Eid one day earlier or later based on their own moon-sighting decisions. The Gulf News analysis from Ibrahim Al Jarwan notes that official dates remain subject to each nation’s moon-sighting committee, meaning cross-border coordination can produce different observed dates. Muslims traveling internationally should check the announcement practices of their destination country.

Ireland and UK estimates

Calendar providers in Western Europe largely project May 27, 2026 for Eid al-Adha, with UK and Irish Islamic councils typically following Saudi or regional Gulf confirmation. The Khaleej Times astronomical calculations support this timeline, though local moon-sighting decisions may produce a one-day variance. Muslim communities in the UK often receive confirmation from the British Islamic Medical Association or regional boards a few days before the expected date.

These three independent astronomical sources reinforce the reliability of the May 27 prediction for UAE residents planning their 2026 holidays.

For UAE residents and businesses, the implications are clear: plan around May 27 as the expected start, but monitor UAE moon-sighting committee announcements in mid-May. Employers should communicate holiday dates early while noting the moon-sighting caveat, and workers seeking maximum rest should consider May 26–31 as the optimal window. International travelers to Muslim-majority destinations should verify local announcement practices, as some countries may observe Eid one day apart from the UAE.

The pattern reveals how a single evening of moon sighting on May 17 cascades through the Islamic calendar, making May 27 the most probable Eid date.

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UAE predictions place Eid al-Adha 2026 on May 27 after Arafat Day, aligning with global 2026 date details across regions worldwide.