As Ramadan begins across the UAE, attention is already shifting to the upcoming Eid Al Fitr break, with a potential four-day public holiday in March depending on the sighting of the Shawwal crescent.
Fasting commenced on February 18, marking the start of Ramadan 2026. The holy month will last either 29 or 30 days, subject to the lunar cycle. While residents adapt to revised working hours and quieter evenings, focus is turning to March 18 — the 29th day of Ramadan — when official moon-sighting committees will determine whether Shawwal has begun.
What the Official Calendar Says
Under the UAE’s official public holiday framework, Eid Al Fitr is observed from Shawwal 1 to 3. The holiday is non-transferable and applies nationwide.
In 2026, Eid is expected to fall between Friday, March 20 and Sunday, March 22. However, the exact start date depends on whether the Shawwal crescent is sighted on March 18.
Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department has indicated March 20 to March 22 as the expected Eid period for 2026, subject to official confirmation.
Three Days or Four?
If the crescent is sighted on March 18, Eid Al Fitr will be declared the following day, March 19. In that case, residents would receive a four-day break from March 19 to March 22, with Sunday aligning with the UAE weekend.
If the moon is not sighted on March 18, Ramadan will complete 30 days and Eid will begin on Friday, March 20. This would initially result in a three-day break.
However, a UAE Cabinet resolution stipulates that if Ramadan completes 30 days, the 30th day of Ramadan will be treated as an official holiday added to the Eid Al Fitr holiday. This ensures a long weekend at the end of the month regardless of whether Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days.
Why the Dates Change Each Year
The Hijri calendar is approximately 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, causing Islamic months to shift earlier each year relative to the solar calendar. In 2026, this places Eid Al Fitr in the third week of March.
For now, the key date remains March 18, when the sighting of the Shawwal crescent will determine the exact duration of the UAE’s Eid Al Fitr break.
