Ramadan 2027
A month of fasting by day, and of shared tables after sunset.
Countdown to Ramadan 2027
Dates
When is Ramadan?
Ramadan 2027 falls from Monday, 8 February 2027 to Tuesday, 9 March 2027 (expected; it can move by a day).
Astronomical projections put the first fast on about 8 February 2027, with Eid al-Fitr on 9 or 10 March, subject to moon sighting.
Date checked against khaleejtimes.com
| Year | Dates | Length | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 19 February – 19 March 2026Thu – Thu | 29 days | Past |
| 2027 | 8 February – 9 March 2027Mon – Tue | 30 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
- Spirit & Ancestry
- Tradition
- Islamic
- Where
- Istanbul, Marmara
- Crowd
- Observed by Muslims worldwide
- UNESCO
- Not inscribed
Ramadan is observed by Muslims everywhere, from Jakarta to London. We follow it in Istanbul, where lit messages hang between minarets and the city's day is quietly reorganised around sunset.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, the month in which Muslims believe the Qur'an was first revealed. Adults who are able fast from dawn to sunset, giving up food and drink, and the days are given over to prayer, reflection, charity and patience. Because the lunar year is about eleven days shorter than the solar one, Ramadan moves backwards through the seasons.
In Istanbul the fast is broken at the call to prayer each evening with iftar, often beginning with a date and water. Families gather at home, municipalities set up long public tables, and the courtyards around the great mosques stay busy late into the night. Before dawn, drummers still walk some neighbourhoods to wake people for sahur, the pre-fast meal.
Culture
Traditions, food and music of Ramadan
Traditions
What actually happens
- Iftar — the meal that breaks the fast at sunset, often shared with neighbours and strangers.
- Sahur — the pre-dawn meal, announced in parts of Istanbul by a neighbourhood drummer.
- Mahya — lit messages strung between the minarets of imperial mosques, an Ottoman custom.
- Tarawih — extra night prayers held in mosques throughout the month.
Food
The table, widened
- Ramazan pidesi, a round, sesame-topped flatbread baked mainly during this month, with dates, olives and soup at iftar.
- Güllaç, a delicate dessert of thin starch sheets soaked in sweetened milk and rose water.
Music
Sound of the crowd
The soundtrack is the call to prayer, which marks the exact end of each day's fast, and Qur'an recitation in mosques. The davulcu's drum before dawn, and the chanted verses that sometimes come with it, are the closest thing Ramadan has to a street performance.
Religion
Why this date
Fasting in Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The elderly, the sick, pregnant or travelling people and young children are exempt. The last ten nights are especially important, as one of them is Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Power. The month ends with Eid al-Fitr.
History
How it survived
Mahya lights date back to the Ottoman period and are still hung over mosques such as the Sultanahmet and Süleymaniye. In 2023 UNESCO added the iftar tradition, as nominated by Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Iran and Uzbekistan, to its intangible heritage list — the communal meal rather than the month itself.
History
How it got here
Mahya lights date back to the Ottoman period and are still hung over mosques such as the Sultanahmet and Süleymaniye. In 2023 UNESCO added the iftar tradition, as nominated by Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Iran and Uzbekistan, to its intangible heritage list — the communal meal rather than the month itself.
610 CE
Revelation
Islamic tradition dates the first revelation of the Qur'an to Ramadan.
624 CE
Fasting ordained
The fast of Ramadan becomes an obligation for the early Muslim community.
Ottoman era
Mahya
Illuminated messages between minarets become an Istanbul Ramadan custom.
2023
Iftar recognised
UNESCO inscribes iftar and its social traditions on its intangible heritage list.
Travel & practical
Visiting Istanbul for Ramadan
Getting there
Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen serve the city; the metro and ferries keep running throughout the month.
What to expect
Most restaurants stay open by day for non-fasting customers. Expect busy roads and full restaurants just before sunset.
Practical notes
Eat and drink discreetly in public by day, dress modestly at mosques, and avoid visiting during prayer times.
Plan the trip with free AltFTool tools
FAQ
Ramadan: common questions
Straight answers to what people ask most about Ramadan.
When is Ramadan in 2026 and 2027?
In Türkiye, Ramadan 2026 ran from 19 February to 19 March, with Eid al-Fitr on 20 March. Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February and end on 8 or 9 March, but the exact dates depend on the lunar calendar and the moon sighting, and can differ by a day between countries.
Why does Ramadan start on different days in different countries?
Some authorities rely on sighting the new crescent moon, others on astronomical calculation, so the start can vary by a day.
Can non-Muslims visit Istanbul during Ramadan?
Yes. Life continues normally by day, and many visitors enjoy the evening atmosphere. Simply be considerate about eating in public.
Do I need to fast to join an iftar?
No. Guests are commonly welcomed at public and private iftars.
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