When will the Day of Arafah & Eid al-Adha 2026?

Astronomical calculations have provided early predictions for the expected dates of the Day of Arafah and Eid al-Adha 2026, based on the sighting of the crescent moon of Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH.

Experts note that the central astronomical conjunction will occur on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 11:01 PM Saudi time. According to data, the crescent moon is likely to be visible after sunset on Sunday, May 17, 2026, depending on weather conditions and visibility in the Arab and Islamic world.

The analysis shows that in Riyadh, sunset on the observation day will occur at 6:30 PM, while the moon is expected to set at 7:29 PM. This means the crescent may remain visible for approximately 59 minutes, with an age of nearly 19 hours and 29 minutes, increasing the chances of successful sighting.

Based on these predictions, Monday, May 18, 2026, is expected to mark the beginning of Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH, subject to official moon sighting confirmation in Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries.

Following this timeline, the Day of Arafah is expected to fall on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, which is regarded as the most significant day of Hajj.

Consequently, Eid al-Adha 2026 is likely to begin on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 (10 Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH), marking one of the most important Islamic celebrations observed worldwide.