With just 100 days remaining until Ramadan 2026 in the UAE, the anticipated start of the holy month and the schedule for the 3-day Eid Al Fitr public holiday have been disclosed.
100 days left until Ramadan 2026 in the UAE: Expected dates of the holy month and details of the 3-day Eid Al Fitr holiday revealed.
The countdown to one of the most sacred periods of the year is now underway. In just 100 days, the UAE will observe the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan.
Falling in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Ramadan is a time dedicated to fasting from sunrise to sunset, deep spiritual reflection, and generosity through charitable deeds. As with all Hijri months, its beginning is officially determined by the sighting of the crescent moon.
According to astronomical predictions, Ramadan in 2026 is expected to begin on Thursday, February 19.
As Ramadan concludes, UAE residents can look forward to the year’s first extended weekend with the celebration of Eid Al Fitr — the festival honoring the end of fasting. The nation grants three public holidays for the occasion.
The UAE Moon-Sighting Committee officially declares the beginning of Ramadan on the eve of the new month. Nevertheless, astronomers are often able to estimate the start and end of Islamic months with considerable accuracy using precise calculations.
Khadijah Ahmad, Operations Manager at the Dubai Astronomy Group, noted that Ramadan is projected to commence on February 19.
She explained “If the crescent moon is spotted in the UAE on the evening of February 17, the first day of Ramadan would fall on February 18. However, this scenario is unlikely since the moon will be difficult to observe that night. The crescent should be easily visible on February 18, making February 19 the probable start of the holy month.”
As with every month in the Islamic Hijri calendar, the duration of Ramadan—either 29 or 30 days—depends on the sighting of the crescent moon. The most recent calendar released by Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department indicates that Ramadan is likely to last 29 days this year.
“The ideal time to observe the crescent for Eid will be the evening of March 19. Therefore, Eid Al Fitr is anticipated to be on Friday, March 20,” explained Khadijah.
The conclusion of Ramadan will mark the UAE’s first extended weekend of the year. The nation observes the first three days of Shawwal — the lunar month that follows Ramadan — as public holidays in celebration of Eid Al Fitr.
If Ramadan spans 29 days, the break will be from Friday, March 20, to Sunday, March 22 (Shawwal 1–3), offering those with a Saturday–Sunday weekend three days off.
However, if the holy month continues for 30 days, an additional day off would be added, starting from Thursday, March 19, resulting in a four-day weekend. Current astronomical predictions, though, point to a 29-day Ramadan, which would mean a three-day holiday from March 20 to 22.
While the UAE can occasionally shift some public holidays to form extended weekends, this rule does not apply to Eid celebrations.
Ramadan in 2026 will take place during the cooler season, resulting in slightly shorter fasting durations than the previous year.
The first day of fasting will last around 12 hours and 46 minutes, compared to 13 hours and 16 minutes on the opening day of Ramadan this year.
Toward the end of the month, fasting hours will gradually increase to about 13 hours and 26 minutes — still less than the nearly 14-hour fasts observed in 2025.
Throughout the UAE, Ramadan brings a noticeable shift to daily routines. Work and school hours are reduced, creating a calmer, more peaceful pace. As the sun sets, the call to prayer fills the air, signaling families and friends to come together and break their fast with dates.
Following the evening prayers, mosques stay open well into the night, welcoming worshippers for Taraweeh and Qiyam-ul-Layl prayers.
