Ramadan 2026 Dates Confirmed: Exact Start, End & Key Fast Times

For Muslims around the world, Ramadan 2026 is forecast to start on the evening of Tuesday 17 February and continue until 21 March, according to preliminary astronomical calculations from the UK-based charity Human Relief Foundation. Other organizations, including Muslim Aid, note that the first fast could fall as late as Thursday 19 February, because the month officially begins only after the new crescent moon is seen locally or regionally. Al Jazeera’s astronomy desk likewise projects that most countries will declare the first day of fasting on 18 or 19 February depending on visibility conditions. Why the two-day window? • Ramadan follows the lunar calendar, so each new month begins with the physical sighting of the 29-hour-old crescent (hilal). • Weather, geography and differing jurisprudential criteria mean that reports can vary by a full sunset, pushing the start from Tuesday night into Wednesday or Thursday in some regions. Projected end and Eid al-Fitr Assuming a 29- or 30-day month, Eid al-Fitr 1447 AH is expected to fall between the evenings of 20 and 22 March 2026, with most calendars marking Friday 20 March for early-sighting countries and Saturday 21 March for later ones. Final confirmation will likewise rely on local moon-sighting committees. Key timings to bookmark • First Taraweeh prayers: Tuesday 17 or Wednesday 18 February after Isha. • First Suhoor: predawn of 18 or 19 February (check local prayer timetable). • Final fast likely ends at Maghrib on 19 or 20 March, pending moon report. Preparing for Ramadan 2026 1. Download a city-specific Ramadan 2026 timetable once your national authority issues it, typically 24–48 hours before the first fast. 2. Schedule annual leave or shortened work hours early; 2026’s dates fall squarely in late winter for the Northern Hemisphere, giving fasting hours of roughly 11.5–13 hours. 3. Budget for higher grocery demand and charity (zakat al-fitr) well in advance. 4. If you live far from a main mosque, subscribe to your country’s official moon-sighting text alert or app to avoid confusion on start and Eid days. Frequently searched questions • When will Ramadan 2026 start in Saudi Arabia? Authorities in Mecca traditionally follow local sighting; forecasts lean toward Wednesday 18 February but may shift if the crescent is viewed a night earlier or later. • Does Ramadan 2026 last 29 or 30 days? Astronomers suggest a strong chance of a 30-day month, yet the final count depends on the 29th-night crescent test. • Will daylight saving affect fasting hours? No; the Islamic calendar ignores civil clock changes, but check your local fajr and maghrib times after any DST shift. Bottom line Mark 17-19 February 2026 as the probable window for the first fast, keep an eye on your national moon-sighting body for official confirmation, and expect Eid al-Fitr to arrive around 20 or 21 March. Planning ahead now will help you enter Ramadan spiritually focused and logistically ready.