When Is Ramadan 2027?

Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on Monday 8 February 2027 (the first fast), with the first taraweeh prayers on the evening of Sunday 7 February. The exact start depends on the sighting of the new crescent moon.

Last updated: 8 November 2026

Ramadan dates 2025–2030

The table shows the first day of fasting according to the Umm al-Qura calendar used in Saudi Arabia, and the last day of fasting before Eid. Many countries confirm the start by moon sighting, so your local start can be one day later.

Why does Ramadan move every year?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which follows the moon rather than the sun. Twelve lunar months add up to about 354 or 355 days, roughly 11 days shorter than the 365-day Gregorian year. That gap is why Ramadan arrives about 11 days earlier each year: in 2025 it began on 1 March, in 2027 it begins in early February, and by 2030 it will start in early January. Over about 33 years Ramadan travels through every season, so the length of each day's fast also changes, especially far from the equator.

Each Islamic month begins when the thin crescent of the new moon becomes visible after sunset. Some countries rely on astronomical calculation, some on an official sighting committee, and some follow Saudi Arabia's announcement. When the crescent cannot be seen on the 29th evening, the month runs to 30 days. That is why dates published months in advance are always described as expected.

What happens during Ramadan?

Adult Muslims who are able to do so abstain from food and drink, including water, from dawn until sunset. The day usually starts with a pre-dawn meal called suhoor and the fast is broken at sunset with iftar, traditionally beginning with dates and water. Evenings are busy: mosques hold extra night prayers called taraweeh, families visit each other and many people give charity, including zakat al-fitr before Eid. The last ten nights are considered the most important, and one of them, Laylat al-Qadr, is commemorated as the night the Quran was first revealed.

Children, older people, travellers, pregnant women and people who are ill are generally exempt, and missed days can be made up later.

How Ramadan changes daily life in different countries

• Gulf states: working hours are usually shortened by law for the month. Eating or drinking in public during daylight is discouraged, and shopping malls stay open late into the night.
• Indonesia and Malaysia: afternoon Ramadan bazaars sell food for iftar, and the end of the month brings a huge homecoming migration (mudik in Indonesia, balik kampung in Malaysia).
• Turkey and Egypt: drummers may walk the streets before dawn to wake people for suhoor, and cities fill with lanterns and decorations.
• The UK, Europe and North America: life continues as normal, but mosques host community iftars and many supermarkets stock Ramadan food.

Travelling during Ramadan 2027

Visiting a Muslim-majority country in February or early March 2027 is perfectly possible, and evenings can be the most atmospheric time of year. A few practical points help:

• Restaurants that serve non-fasting guests during the day may close their street-facing areas; hotel restaurants usually stay open.
• Museums, banks and offices often keep shorter hours. Check opening times the week you travel.
• Traffic peaks in the hour before sunset as everyone heads home for iftar.
• Flights and hotels get busy and expensive in the final days of Ramadan, when many people travel home for Eid.

How long is Ramadan 2027?

Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days. On the Umm al-Qura calendar Ramadan 1448 has 29 days, ending on Monday 8 March 2027, which would make Eid al-Fitr fall on Tuesday 9 March. If the Shawwal crescent is not seen on 8 March, the month completes 30 days and Eid moves to Wednesday 10 March. See our Eid al-Fitr 2027 page for the countdown.

Frequently asked questions

When does Ramadan 2027 start?

It is expected to start on Monday 8 February 2027, with the first night prayers on the evening of 7 February. Some countries may begin on 9 February depending on the moon sighting.

When does Ramadan 2027 end?

The last fast is expected on Monday 8 March or Tuesday 9 March 2027, followed by Eid al-Fitr on 9 or 10 March.

Why is Ramadan earlier every year?

The Islamic calendar is lunar and about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year, so Ramadan moves about 11 days earlier each year.

Is the start of Ramadan the same everywhere?

Not always. Countries that rely on local moon sighting can begin a day after those that use calculation or follow Saudi Arabia.

How long is a Ramadan fast?

From dawn to sunset. In February 2027 that is roughly 12 to 13 hours in much of the Middle East and South Asia, and shorter in northern Europe.

Sources: Umm al-Qura Calendar (Saudi Arabia) · The National – Ramadan 2027 UAE dates · Khaleej Times – likely dates for 2027