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Eid al-Adha 2026 Date: When Is It and What You Need to Know for Qurbani
Eid al-Adha 2026 is expected to begin on Wednesday, 27 May 2026. This date is subject to moon sighting confirmation, as with all Islamic lunar calendar dates. The Festival of Sacrifice marks the completion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage and is the occasion on which every eligible Muslim performs Qurbani.
For Muslims living in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and across the Western world, Eid al-Adha 2026 falls during late May and into early June. This article gives you the full dates, the significance of each day, and what you need to do before Qurbani bookings close.
Eid al-Adha 2026: The Complete Date Calendar
| Islamic Date | Expected Gregorian Date 2026 | Significance |
| 1 Dhul Hijjah | 18 May 2026 (Monday) | Start of Dhul Hijjah — the most sacred month |
| 8 Dhul Hijjah | 25 May 2026 (Monday) | Day of Tarwiyah — Hajj pilgrims depart for Mina |
| 9 Dhul Hijjah — Day of Arafah | 26 May 2026 (Tuesday) | The greatest day of the year. Fasting is strongly recommended. |
| 10 Dhul Hijjah — Eid al-Adha Day 1 | 27 May 2026 (Wednesday) | Eid prayer then Qurbani begins. Most rewarded day for slaughter. |
| 11 Dhul Hijjah — Eid al-Adha Day 2 | 28 May 2026 (Thursday) | Qurbani valid. Days of Tashriq begin. |
| 12 Dhul Hijjah — Eid al-Adha Day 3 | 29 May 2026 (Friday) | Final confirmed day for Qurbani in all four madhabs. |
| 13 Dhul Hijjah | 30 May 2026 (Saturday) | Qurbani valid according to Shafi’i school only. |
Note: All dates are estimates based on astronomical moon sighting calculations. The actual dates for your local community will be confirmed by your country’s official Islamic authority or local moon sighting committee. The USA, UK, Canada, and Australia may observe Eid on slightly different dates.
The Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah: Why They Matter for Every Muslim
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are described in the Hadith as the most beloved days to Allah in the entire year. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
| مَا مِنْ أَيَّامٍ الْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ فِيهَا أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ هَذِهِ الأَيَّامِ“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.”Sahih al-Bukhari — Ibn Abbas (RA) |
This applies to every Muslim, not only those performing Hajj. The ten days leading up to Eid al-Adha are an opportunity for increased ibadah (worship), fasting, charity, and the fulfilment of Qurbani. For those intending to give Qurbani, the Sunnah is to refrain from cutting hair and nails from the 1st of Dhul Hijjah until after the slaughter.
The Day of Arafah: 26 May 2026
The Day of Arafah falls on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah. It is the pinnacle of Hajj, when pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafah in supplication to Allah. For Muslims not performing Hajj, fasting on this day is among the most rewarded acts of worship in the Islamic calendar.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘Fasting on the Day of Arafah expiates the sins of the previous year and the following year.’ (Sahih Muslim)
This is the day before Qurbani begins. Use it for increased remembrance, supplication, and if you have not yet booked your Qurbani, to make that decision.
When Must Qurbani Booking Close?
At Qurbani for Unity, our booking deadline for Eid al-Adha 2026 is 25 May 2026. After this date, we cannot guarantee order processing before the slaughter window opens. All orders placed before the deadline are guaranteed to be performed on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, Eid day itself.
Our Early Bird discount of 15% applies to all orders booked before 1 May 2026. After that, prices return to standard rates.
If you are reading this in April or early May 2026: the time to book is now. The Qurbani window will close before you know it, and this is not an obligation you want to carry into the new Islamic year.
| Book Before 1 May 2026 and Save 15% on Your QurbaniQurbaniForUnity.com/shop |
Frequently Asked Questions About Eid al-Adha 2026 Dates
| When is Eid al-Adha 2026?Eid al-Adha 2026 is expected to begin on Wednesday, 27 May 2026. This is the 10th of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH. Exact dates depend on moon sighting and may vary by one day depending on your country. The Day of Arafah is expected to be Tuesday, 26 May 2026. |
| How many days does Eid al-Adha last?Eid al-Adha lasts three to four days: the 10th, 11th, and 12th of Dhul Hijjah. According to the Shafi’i school, the 13th is also included. Qurbani can be performed on any of these days, though the 10th (Eid day itself) is the most preferred. |
| What is the Day of Arafah and why is it important?The Day of Arafah is the 9th of Dhul Hijjah (26 May 2026). It is the most significant day of Hajj when pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafah. For non-pilgrims, fasting this day expiates sins from two years according to the hadith in Sahih Muslim. It falls the day before Qurbani begins. |
| Can I book my Qurbani after Eid starts?You can book while the Qurbani window is open (10th to 12th Dhul Hijjah) but early booking is strongly recommended. At Qurbani for Unity, booking before our deadline ensures your Qurbani is performed on Eid day itself, the most preferred time. Last-minute bookings may be allocated to the 11th or 12th. |
| What should I do before Eid al-Adha 2026?For those intending to give Qurbani: refrain from cutting hair and nails from the 1st of Dhul Hijjah (18 May 2026) until after your Qurbani is performed. Fast on the Day of Arafah (26 May 2026). Book your Qurbani as early as possible. Make extra dua, increase charity and remembrance of Allah during these blessed ten days. |
