Eid al-Fitr 2028 is on Saturday, February 26, 2028.
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When is Eid al-Fitr 2028?
Eid al-Fitr 2028 falls on Saturday, February 26, 2028.
About Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr is one of the two major festivals of the Islamic year. Its name means the festival of breaking the fast, and it marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. The festival begins on the first day of Shawwal, the month that follows Ramadan. The day usually opens with a special communal prayer held shortly after sunrise, in a mosque or a large open space. After the prayer, families gather for meals, visit relatives and friends, exchange gifts and wear new or best clothes. Giving to charity is an important part of the day, and Muslims are expected to make a donation, known as zakat al-fitr, before the Eid prayer so that poorer families can also share in the celebration.
Eid al-Fitr is a public holiday in Muslim-majority countries, where it usually brings several days off work and school. Customs vary from place to place. Sweet dishes are common, which is why the festival is sometimes called the Sweet Eid, and particular foods are linked to particular regions, such as sheer khurma in South Asia. Children are often given money or gifts. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, the Gregorian date of Eid al-Fitr moves about 11 days earlier each year, and the exact day depends on the sighting of the new moon, so neighbouring countries sometimes celebrate on slightly different days.
Frequently asked questions
What is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr is a major Islamic festival that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. The name means the festival of breaking the fast. It begins on the first day of Shawwal, the month after Ramadan, and is one of the two main festivals of the Muslim year, the other being Eid al-Adha. The day is marked by a special morning prayer, family gatherings, meals, new clothes, gifts for children and giving to those in need.
When is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal in the Islamic lunar calendar, the day after Ramadan ends. Because the Islamic calendar is shorter than the Gregorian year, the festival moves about 11 days earlier each year. The exact day depends on the sighting of the new crescent moon that marks the start of Shawwal, so it can differ by a day between countries. Many calendars publish a calculated date in advance, but the confirmed day is set close to the time.
How is Eid al-Fitr celebrated?
Eid al-Fitr usually begins with a communal prayer held shortly after sunrise, attended in large numbers at mosques and open grounds. After the prayer, people greet one another with the phrase Eid Mubarak, meaning blessed Eid. The rest of the day is given to visiting family and friends, sharing meals and sweet dishes, and wearing new or best clothes. Children often receive money or gifts. Before the prayer, Muslims give a charitable donation called zakat al-fitr so that poorer families can also celebrate.
What is the difference between Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha?
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are the two major festivals of the Islamic year, but they mark different things. Eid al-Fitr comes at the end of Ramadan and celebrates the completion of the month of fasting. Eid al-Adha falls about two months later, during the season of the Hajj pilgrimage, and remembers the Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son. Eid al-Adha is the longer of the two and involves the sacrifice of an animal.
Is Eid al-Fitr a public holiday?
Eid al-Fitr is an official public holiday in Muslim-majority countries, where it commonly brings two to three days off work and school, sometimes more. In countries where Muslims are a minority it is usually not a public holiday, though some have introduced school or local recognition, and many employers allow Muslim staff to take the day off. The date moves each year with the Islamic calendar, so the days off shift around the Gregorian calendar.