Eid al-Adha 2027
The feast at the close of the Hajj, shared out in three equal parts.
Countdown to Eid al-Adha 2027
Dates
When is Eid al-Adha?
Eid al-Adha 2027 falls from Sunday, 16 May 2027 to Wednesday, 19 May 2027 (expected; it can move by a day).
Astronomical projections place Eid al-Adha 2027 on 16 or 17 May, to be confirmed by moon sighting.
Date checked against khaleejtimes.com
| Year | Dates | Length | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 27 – 30 May 2026Wed – Sat | 4 days | Past |
| 2027 | 16 – 19 May 2027Sun – Wed | 4 days | Expected |
See every festival by date in the 2026 festival calendar and 2027 festival calendar.
The story
What it is, and why it matters
- Type
- Food & Harvest
- Tradition
- Islamic
- Where
- Mecca, Makkah Province
- Crowd
- Observed by Muslims worldwide; the Hajj itself draws pilgrims in the millions
- UNESCO
- Not inscribed
Eid al-Adha is celebrated by Muslims around the world, but its centre of gravity is Mecca, where it falls during the final days of the Hajj pilgrimage.
Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, remembers the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), who in Islamic tradition was ready to sacrifice his son at God's command before a ram was provided in his place. It begins on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar, the day after pilgrims stand in prayer on the plain of Arafat.
In Mecca and the nearby valley of Mina, pilgrims complete the symbolic stoning of the pillars, make their sacrifice and return to the Kaaba. Elsewhere, families attend Eid prayers in the morning, put on new or best clothes, visit relatives, and — where they can — share the meat of a sacrificed animal with family, friends and people in need.
Culture
Traditions, food and music of Eid al-Adha
Traditions
What actually happens
- Eid prayer — a congregational prayer held shortly after sunrise, often in large open spaces.
- Qurbani — the sacrifice of a sheep, goat, cow or camel, with the meat commonly divided into thirds.
- Day of Arafah — the day before Eid, when many Muslims who are not on Hajj choose to fast.
- Visiting and giving — calling on relatives and neighbours, and gifts or money for children.
Food
The table, widened
- Slow-cooked lamb and rice dishes such as kabsa and mandi across the Arabian Peninsula.
- Sweets including ma'amoul, date-filled pastries baked for both Eids.
Music
Sound of the crowd
The defining sound is the takbir — 'Allahu akbar' repeated in rhythm — recited from the dawn of Arafah through the days of Eid in mosques, homes and streets.
Religion
Why this date
Eid al-Adha is the greater of Islam's two main festivals. It celebrates faith, obedience and generosity, and is tied to the Hajj, one of the Five Pillars. The festive days continue through the three days of Tashreeq that follow.
History
How it survived
The Hajj and its feast trace back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad, who performed his only pilgrimage in 632 CE. Today Saudi authorities manage the pilgrimage with a quota system, and the sacrifices made in Mecca are processed and distributed widely, including abroad.
History
How it got here
The Hajj and its feast trace back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad, who performed his only pilgrimage in 632 CE. Today Saudi authorities manage the pilgrimage with a quota system, and the sacrifices made in Mecca are processed and distributed widely, including abroad.
Antiquity
Ibrahim's test
The story at the centre of the feast is shared, in different forms, by Jews, Christians and Muslims.
632 CE
Farewell Pilgrimage
The Prophet Muhammad's Hajj sets the pattern pilgrims still follow.
20th c.
Mass pilgrimage
Air travel opens the Hajj to Muslims from every continent.
Today
One feast, worldwide
Eid is a public holiday across much of the Muslim world.
Travel & practical
Visiting Mecca for Eid al-Adha
Important
Only Muslims may enter Mecca. Hajj requires an official permit, issued through national quotas and approved operators.
Getting there
Pilgrims usually fly into Jeddah or Medina and travel to Mecca by road or on the Haramain high-speed railway.
Practical notes
Late-spring temperatures in Mecca can be extreme. Follow official heat-safety guidance and stay hydrated.
Plan the trip with free AltFTool tools
FAQ
Eid al-Adha: common questions
Straight answers to what people ask most about Eid al-Adha.
When is Eid al-Adha in 2026 and 2027?
In Saudi Arabia Eid al-Adha began on 27 May 2026, after the Day of Arafah on 26 May. In 2027 it is expected on 16 or 17 May, depending on the sighting of the Dhu al-Hijjah moon; dates can differ by a day between countries.
What is the difference between Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr ends the Ramadan fast. Eid al-Adha comes about two months later and is linked to the Hajj and the story of Ibrahim's sacrifice.
Why is it called Bakrid?
In South Asia the festival is often called Bakra Eid or Bakrid, a name widely linked to the goat (bakra) commonly sacrificed.
How long does it last?
Eid itself is one day, but celebrations and public holidays usually run for three or four days.
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