Festivals
The Islamic year includes sacred observances marking key events in Islamic history and spiritual practice. These range from the two major Eids — Eid al-Fitr celebrating the end of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha during Hajj — to days of fasting, remembrance, and night worship throughout the year.
About Islamic Festivals & Holy Days
The Islamic year is marked by a rich calendar of religious observances, from the two great Eids to days of fasting, nights of worship, and months of heightened devotion. These events follow the Hijri lunar calendar, meaning their Gregorian dates shift by about 11 days each year, cycling through all seasons over approximately 33 years.
Zaman tracks all major Islamic festivals and significant dates throughout the Hijri year. The festivals page shows upcoming events with their Hijri and Gregorian dates, organized by category — Eid celebrations, fasting days, Hajj-related observances, nights of worship like Laylat al-Qadr, days of remembrance, and the sacred months. Each date is calculated using astronomical new moon data and the crescent visibility criterion you select.
Whether you're preparing for Ramadan, planning around the two Eids, or looking up when the Day of Arafah falls this year, this page gives you a complete overview of the Islamic calendar's most important dates — all calculated for the current Hijri year and updated automatically as each month is confirmed.
Key Islamic Observances
Ramadan (9th month) is the month of fasting from dawn to sunset, during which Muslims abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs. The last ten nights are especially significant, containing Laylat al-Qadr — the Night of Power, described in the Quran as "better than a thousand months" (Al-Qadr 97:3).
Eid al-Fitr (1 Shawwal) celebrates the end of Ramadan with special prayers, charitable giving (Zakat al-Fitr), and festive gatherings. Eid al-Adha (10 Dhul Hijjah) coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage and commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. It involves the Qurbani (animal sacrifice) and distribution of meat to the needy.
Other significant observances include the Day of Arafah (9 Dhul Hijjah), considered the most important day of the year; Ashura (10 Muharram); Mawlid an-Nabi (12 Rabi al-Awwal), the Prophet's birthday; and Isra Mi'raj (27 Rajab), commemorating the Prophet's night journey and ascension.
Related Islamic Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the major Islamic festivals?▾
The two major Islamic festivals (Eids) are Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Fitr ("Festival of Breaking the Fast") is celebrated on 1 Shawwal, marking the end of Ramadan. Eid al-Adha ("Festival of Sacrifice") is celebrated on 10 Dhul Hijjah during the Hajj pilgrimage season. Both involve special congregational prayers, charitable giving, family gatherings, and festive meals. These are the only two days in the Islamic year when fasting is prohibited.
When is Ramadan?▾
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic Hijri calendar. Because the Hijri calendar is lunar, Ramadan falls approximately 11 days earlier each Gregorian year, cycling through all seasons over about 33 years. The exact start date depends on the sighting of the new crescent moon (or astronomical calculation, depending on your authority). Zaman shows the upcoming Ramadan dates calculated using your selected crescent visibility criterion.
What is Laylat al-Qadr?▾
Laylat al-Qadr ("The Night of Power" or "Night of Decree") is described in the Quran as "better than a thousand months" (Al-Qadr 97:3). It commemorates the night the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It falls on one of the odd-numbered nights during the last ten days of Ramadan (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th). Muslims spend these nights in intensive prayer and worship seeking this blessed night.
What is the Day of Arafah?▾
The Day of Arafah falls on 9 Dhul Hijjah, the day before Eid al-Adha. It is considered the most important day in the Islamic calendar. Pilgrims performing Hajj gather on the plains of Arafat near Mecca for prayer and supplication — standing on Arafat is the essential pillar of Hajj. For non-pilgrims, fasting on this day is highly recommended, with the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ saying it expiates the sins of the previous and coming year.
What is Ashura?▾
Ashura falls on 10 Muharram, the first month of the Islamic year. It has significance across Islamic traditions. Sunni Muslims commemorate it as the day Allah saved Prophet Musa (Moses) and the Israelites from Pharaoh, and fasting on this day is recommended (along with either the 9th or 11th of Muharram). For Shia Muslims, Ashura is a major day of mourning marking the martyrdom of Imam Husayn, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.
What is Isra Mi'raj?▾
Isra Mi'raj commemorates Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ miraculous night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem (al-Isra) and his ascension through the heavens (al-Mi'raj), traditionally observed on 27 Rajab. During this journey, the five daily prayers were prescribed. Many Muslims mark this night with special prayers and remembrance. The event is referenced in the Quran: "Glory be to the One Who took His servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa" (Al-Isra 17:1).
How are Islamic festival dates determined?▾
Islamic festival dates are determined by the Hijri lunar calendar. Each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon, so dates can vary by 1–2 days between regions and communities depending on the crescent visibility criterion used. Zaman calculates festival dates using astronomical data and supports multiple criteria (Umm al-Qura, ISNA, MABIMS, and others) so you can follow the convention used by your local authority.
What are the sacred months in Islam?▾
Islam designates four months as sacred (al-ashhur al-hurum): Muharram (1st month), Rajab (7th month), Dhul Qa'dah (11th month), and Dhul Hijjah (12th month). The Quran states: "Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve months... of these, four are sacred" (At-Tawbah 9:36). During these months, warfare was traditionally forbidden, and good deeds are considered to carry greater reward.