Ramadan and Hajj 2027 dates: February 8, May 15 and May 16

In short

• Ramadan 1448: 8 February to 8 March 2027, Eid al-Fitr on 9 March (Umm al-Qura calendar; the real date can shift by one day).
• Hajj days (8–13 Dhul Hijjah): 14–19 May 2027, the Day of Arafah on 15 May and Eid al-Adha on 16 May.
• The last ten days of Ramadan start on 28 February; book hotels and permits months ahead.

Ramadan 1448 AH is expected to begin on Monday, 8 February 2027, and the Day of Arafah is expected on Saturday, 15 May, with Eid al-Adha on Sunday, 16 May. These are the dates of the Umm al-Qura calendar used in Saudi Arabia. Below you will find all the dates in one place, what the two seasons feel like in Makkah and Madinah, and a planning timeline so that bookings and permits are not left to the last minute.

Key dates at a glance

• 1 Ramadan 1448: Monday, 8 February 2027 (the month lasts 29 or 30 days).
• The last ten days: from 21 Ramadan, Sunday, 28 February; the busiest days and nights at the two mosques.
• Eid al-Fitr (1 Shawwal): Tuesday, 9 March 2027.
• 1 Dhul Hijjah 1448: Friday, 7 May 2027.
• Hajj rites (8–13 Dhul Hijjah): from Friday, 14 May to Wednesday, 19 May 2027.
• Day of Tarwiyah: Friday, 14 May. Day of Arafah: Saturday, 15 May. Eid al-Adha: Sunday, 16 May. Days of Tashreeq in Mina: 17–19 May.

How these dates are set, and why they can shift

Saudi Arabia uses the Umm al-Qura calendar, which fixes the months by astronomical calculation. In practice the start of a month is announced after the moon is sighted, so the real date can move by one day. Many other countries follow their own local announcements, which means the holiday can begin a day later where you live than in Makkah. When you plan a trip, keep one spare day on both sides and prefer bookings that can be changed or refunded until the dates are confirmed.

Ramadan 2027 in Makkah and Madinah: what to expect

Ramadan is the busiest time to be at the two holy mosques. The first day of fasting in Makkah is about 12 hours 37 minutes long, and the evenings are filled with the Tarawih prayers, so many visitors rest in the afternoon and spend the evening at the mosque. The number of visitors grows every year, with the largest crowds in the last ten days.

Near the Haram you will see iftar meals and dates handed out to those who are fasting; plan to break your fast at the mosque and avoid crossing the crowds at sunset. Expect longer walks, stricter crowd management around the mosque and much slower roads, and allow extra time for any trip by taxi.

In Madinah, a visit to the Rawdah requires a permit booked in the Nusuk app. Outside Ramadan the slots usually open one to two weeks ahead, in Ramadan only a few days ahead, and they sell out within minutes, so keep the app ready and do not rely on queueing at the door.

Hajj 2027: what you need to know now

Hajj is possible only with an official Hajj permit. During the Hajj season you cannot stay in Makkah or enter the holy sites on a tourist, Umrah, visit or work visa, and violators face fines, deportation and an entry ban; in 2025 fines of up to SAR 20,000 were announced. If you plan to go, work through an authorised operator and your country’s official Hajj quota procedure, and check the current rules before you pay anyone.

The schedule by date: 8 Dhul Hijjah (14 May) is the Day of Tarwiyah, when pilgrims move to Mina; 9 Dhul Hijjah (15 May) is the Day of Arafah; 10 Dhul Hijjah (16 May) is Eid al-Adha; 11–13 Dhul Hijjah (17–19 May) are the days of Tashreeq, spent in Mina. The details of the rites are explained by your authorised Hajj operator and the official sources; ZiyaraGo does not give religious instructions.

May is hot in Makkah; temperatures are often above 40 degrees. Prepare for the heat with an umbrella, light clothing, plenty of water, and check the health requirements and vaccinations of the Saudi Ministry of Health before you travel.

A planning timeline

• Now to December: decide on Ramadan or Hajj, check the passport validity and the visa rules, and start comparing hotels near the Haram.
• December to January: book flights and a hotel with free cancellation; prices for Ramadan rise sharply as the date approaches.
• One to two months ahead: prepare your Umrah permit and the Rawdah slot in Nusuk, buy insurance and take care of the vaccinations.
• The last weeks: check the official announcement of the start of the month and keep your plans flexible by a day.

Count your budget in advance: the accommodation, the flights, the transport between Makkah and Madinah, meals and, for Hajj, the sacrifice. Our Ramadan page and Hajj page keep the countdown, the calendar and the prayer times, and our guides to Madinah in one, two and three days and Makkah beyond the Haram help to fill the free hours.

Questions and answers