Key dates, 2026 to 2027
All of these are expected dates. Each Islamic month begins with the new moon, so any of them can move by a day. Not every family marks every date, and customs differ from one community to the next.
-
Start of Rajab
1 Rajab 1448 · expected
One of the sacred months, and the start of the run-up to Ramadan.
In the kitchen: A good time to plan the freezer: shami kebabs, haleem and yakhni all freeze well.
-
Isra and Mi'raj
27 Rajab 1448 · expected
Remembers the Prophet's night journey and ascension. Many families mark the night before.
In the kitchen: Families who gather often share a big pot of pulao or biryani.
-
Mid-Sha'ban
15 Sha'ban 1448 · expected
Shab-e-Barat in South Asian families. Ramadan is about two weeks away.
In the kitchen: Finish the freezer prep and make your Ramadan shopping list.
-
Ramadan begins
1 Ramadan 1448 · expected
The month of fasting. The first fast is expected on or around this day.
In the kitchen: For iftar: harira, chicken corn soup, pakora and haleem. For suhoor: something slow-releasing.
-
Laylat al-Qadr
27 Ramadan 1448 (expected) · expected
The Night of Power, sought in the last ten nights of Ramadan, often on the 27th.
In the kitchen: Keep cooking simple in the last ten nights: freezer meals and one-pot dishes.
-
Eid al-Fitr
1 Shawwal 1448 · expected
The celebration at the end of Ramadan, on 9 or 10 March depending on the moon.
In the kitchen: The big family meal: biryani, qorma, kebabs. Order the meat a few days ahead.
-
Day of Arafah
9 Dhu al-Hijjah 1448 · expected
The day the pilgrims stand at Arafah. Many people fast.
In the kitchen: A light suhoor and a simple iftar; plan the Eid food the day before.
-
Eid al-Adha
10 Dhu al-Hijjah 1448 · expected
The festival of sacrifice, on 16 or 17 May depending on the moon.
In the kitchen: Kaleji is a first-day favourite, then karahi, kebabs and pulao. Whole and half lambs are cut to your list; order early.
-
Islamic New Year
1 Muharram 1449 · expected
The start of the Hijri year 1449.
In the kitchen: A quiet family dinner.
-
Ashura
10 Muharram 1449 · expected
Many fast on the 9th and 10th of Muharram.
In the kitchen: In many South Asian homes, haleem is cooked and shared in Muharram.
-
Mawlid an-Nabi
12 Rabi al-Awwal 1449 · expected
Marked by many families and mosques as the Prophet's birthday.
In the kitchen: Food is often cooked to share with neighbours: a big pot of biryani or pulao.
About the dates
The Islamic year has twelve lunar months of 29 or 30 days, so it's about eleven days shorter than the calendar on your wall. That's why Ramadan comes round earlier each year: in 2027 it's in February and March, and over the next few years it moves into the colder, shorter days of winter, which makes for earlier iftars.
The dates here follow the Umm al-Qura calendar. Many Glasgow mosques confirm the start of Ramadan and the day of Eid the evening before, once the moon has been looked for. Check with your own mosque before you plan the big meal.
Prayer times
We don't print prayer times here, because they change every day through the year. For Glasgow, see the timetable from Glasgow Central Mosque, or the one from your local mosque. In Ramadan, the times for suhoor and iftar come from the same timetable.
Planning the food
- Before Ramadan: batch-cook and freeze. Shami kebabs, haleem, yakhni stock and pakora mix all keep well. The Ramadan kitchen guide has the shopping list.
- For Eid: plan the menu and order the meat ahead. The Eid feast guide has a countdown, and the crowd calculator works out how much meat and rice you need.
- Big orders: whole and half lambs are cut to your list. Order ahead and collect from 44 Kilmarnock Road when it suits you.
- Through the rest of the year: see our year for BBQ season, back to uni and winter warmers.
Questions
When does Ramadan 2027 start in Glasgow?
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on or around Monday 8 February 2027, depending on the moon. Mosques in Glasgow announce the start the evening before. Our Ramadan kitchen guide has a shopping list and a week of iftar ideas.
When is Eid al-Fitr 2027?
Eid al-Fitr is expected on Tuesday 9 March 2027, or the day after if the moon isn't seen. Order your meat a few days ahead: see order ahead.
When is Eid al-Adha 2027?
Eid al-Adha is expected on Sunday 16 May 2027, or the day after, depending on the moon. Whole and half lambs are cut to your list, so tell us early.
When is the Islamic New Year?
1 Muharram 1449 is expected on Sunday 6 June 2027. Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, follows nine days later.
Why do mosques sometimes give different dates?
Each Islamic month starts with the new moon. Some mosques wait for the moon to be seen, locally or abroad, and others follow a calculated calendar, so the same day can be marked a day apart. Follow your own mosque.
When should I order meat for Eid?
As early as you can, and at least a day or two before. Use our order ahead page, or ask at the counter.