Muslim Festivals

A simple guide for students to understand important Muslim festivals like Ramadan and Bakrid (Eid al-Adha) – when they are observed, what they mean and where to read full details.

Note: Islamic festival dates follow the Hijri lunar calendar and therefore shift every year in the Gregorian (English) calendar. Always check the current year’s calendar or announcements from your local mosque for exact dates.

About Ramadan & Bakrid

Month of Fasting Observed in: 9th month of Islamic (Hijri) calendar
(Shifts each year, usually March–May in recent years)

Ramadan & Eid al‑Fitr

Fasting • Prayer • Charity • Self‑discipline

Ramadan is the holiest month in Islam, during which Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, increase their prayers, recitation of the Qur'an and acts of charity. It helps believers develop self‑control, gratitude and compassion for those in need.

The festival of Eid al‑Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan with special prayers, greetings, new clothes and sharing sweets with family, friends and the poor.

Open Full Ramadan Page
Festival of Sacrifice Celebrated on: 10th day of Dhul Hijjah
(Shifts each year, usually June–July in recent years)

Bakrid (Eid al‑Adha)

Sacrifice • Faith • Sharing with Others

Bakrid, also called Eid al‑Adha, remembers the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah, and how Allah replaced the sacrifice with a ram. It teaches complete trust in God and readiness to give up what we love for a higher good.

On this day, Muslims around the world offer an animal sacrifice (where permitted), divide the meat between family, relatives and the poor, and perform special Eid prayers after the Hajj pilgrimage.

Open Full Bakrid Page

Common questions about Muslim festivals

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic (Hijri) lunar calendar. Many Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, increase prayer and charity, and reflect on gratitude and self-discipline. It ends with Eid al-Fitr.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan. People attend special prayers, wear festive clothes, greet family and friends, and share food and sweets. Charity (zakat al-fitr) is encouraged before the prayer in many communities.

Bakrid, or Eid al-Adha, is the Festival of Sacrifice on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah. It honours Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) willingness to obey God. Muslims who can perform sacrifice share meat with family, neighbours and people in need, and attend Eid prayers.

Islamic months follow a lunar calendar (about 354 days per year), so each Hijri month begins when the new moon is sighted (or by agreed calendar rules). That makes Ramadan, Eid and Bakrid shift earlier each Gregorian year by roughly 10–12 days.

The Hijri (Islamic) calendar counts twelve lunar months from the Prophet Muhammad’s migration (Hijra) to Medina. It is used for religious observance; everyday life in most countries also uses the Gregorian calendar for civil dates.

It depends on the state and year. Many states declare holidays for Eid al-Fitr and/or Eid al-Adha and sometimes other days like Muharram. Always check the official state calendar or school/office notice for the current year.
Continue learning with the India festivals calendar, compare values in About Festivals, or explore Christian festivals and Telugu festivals.