Eid al-Adha, the second of the two most important holidays in Islam, is just days away.
Millions of Muslims around the world will celebrate the holy day, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, at the end of May this year.
The date of Eid al-Adha depends on the Islamic calendar, which follows the lunar cycle, so the exact moment is determined by the sight of the moon. Many Muslims follow guidelines set by officials in Muslim-majority countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Eid al-Adha comes after Eid al-Fitr, a different holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Here’s what you should know about Eid al-Adha.
When is Eid al-Adha in 2026?
Eid al-Adha will fall on Wednesday, May 27 this year.
Because the Islamic calendar follows a lunar cycle, the exact dates change based on moon sightings each year.
Many Muslims follow the guidelines set by moon sighting committees in Middle Eastern countries. In Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, officials have declared that Eid al-Adha will fall on May 27, according to local news reports.
In some countries, Eid al-Adha is celebrated for several days.
What is Eid?
Eid al-Adha is one of the two Eid holidays celebrated in Islam.
The word “Eid” means “festival” or “feast” in Arabic, according to the University of Florida.
Known as the Festival of Sacrifice, Eid al-Adha commemorates the prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael after God appeared to him in a dream and commanded him to do so. God finally intervened, sending a ram to be sacrificed in Ishmael’s place, according to the Quran.
It falls during Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar during which Muslims are expected to complete the Hajj, the holy pilgrimage to Mecca, if they can, according to Islamic Relief.
Why are there two Eids?
In Islam, there are two Eid holidays: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. However, the two holidays serve two separate and distinct purposes.
Eid al-Fitr, which occurs at the end of the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, marks the breaking of the fast. During the month leading up to Eid al-Fitr, Muslims observe Ramadan, a period of prayer, reflection and abstinence during which they do not eat or drink anything during daylight hours.
The second Eid holiday, Eid al-Adha, falls during the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar and coincides with the end of the holy Hajj pilgrimage season.
Melina Khan is a national trends reporter for USA TODAY. Keep up with her on X @melinakh and Instagram @bymelinakhan.
