CONFIRMED: Saudi Arabia announces Eid Al-Adha 2026 dates
This just in
Saudi Arabia has just announced the start of Dhul-Hijjah and has subsequently confirmed the Eid Al-Adha 2026 dates.
The Crescent for the month of Dhul Hijjah was seen today, and tomorrow (Monday May 18) will be the first day of Dhul Hijjah 1447. Meaning that the Eid Al-Adha 2026 dates will begin on Wednesday May 27 and last until Friday May 30.
NEWS: The Crescent for the month of Dhul Hijjah was SEEN today subsequently tomorrow i.e Monday, 18 May 2026 will be the first day of Dhul Hijjah 1447
Day of Arafah: Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Eid Al Adha: Wednesday, 27 May 2026 pic.twitter.com/wnQWUZwksn— Inside the Haramain (@insharifain) May 17, 2026
While Eid al-Fitr is normally confirmed a day before, Eid Al-Adha’s crescent is sighted nearly two weeks before the day, when the crescent is sighted, it also helps finalise the date of Eid Al-Adha as it falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijjah. The Hajj pilgrimage begins on Dhul Hijjah 8 and lasts until Dhul Hijjah 13. On the Gregorian calendar, Hajj 2026 is taking place between Monday May 25 to Friday May 30, with Day of Arafah falling on Tuesday May 26
In the Islamic lunar calendar, Eid Al-Adha falls on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah and lasts for three days. The holiday commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to obey God by sacrificing his son. God then provided him with a lamb to sacrifice in his son’s place.
Animals are now sacrificed to commemorate the occasion, and the meat is divided into three portions: one portion is for friends and relatives, one is for the sacrificer and his family, while the rest of the meat is distributed to the poor and the needy.
One of the five pillars of Islam, Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which every Muslim must make at least once in their lifetime if they can. Read more about Hajj leave and your entitlement here.
While we’re still waiting on the public holiday announcements and the confirmation of the Eid Al-Adha 2025 crescent. Visit @HRSD_SA. Stay tuned to What’s On Saudi Arabia for the latest.
