Faith · Seasonal · Eid ul Fitr 2026
Eid ul Fitr 2026 in the UK: date, prayer, and cultural notes.
Eid ul Fitr 2026 is expected on Friday 20 March 2026 in the UK, subject to moon-sighting confirmation from Wifaqul Ulama UK and HMCC UK. This page collects the expected date, Eid prayer guidance, Zakat al-Fitr, and community cultural notes gathered by our contributors.
A note on tradition: this page reflects mainstream Sunni and Shia UK practice. Regional cultural notes are contributed by named editors.
The expected date
Eid ul Fitr 1447 AH is expected on the evening of Thursday 19 March 2026, with Eid prayer on the morning of Friday 20 March. Confirmation follows the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon by Wifaqul Ulama UK or HMCC UK. Details on moon-sighting are at UK moon-sighting.
وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ
“So that you complete the number of days and that you glorify God for that to which He has guided you.”
Quran 2:185 · Surah al-Baqarah · translation: Sahih International
Zakat al-Fitr
Zakat al-Fitr is due from every Muslim who has food surplus to their needs on the night of Eid. The 2026 UK rate is set annually by the National Zakat Foundation and by mosques; it is typically around GBP 5 per person. It must be paid before Eid prayer to count. Route your payment via a registered UK partner: Zakat calculator and partners.
Eid prayer
Eid prayer is prayed in congregation shortly after sunrise. Most UK mosques hold two or three sittings between 7:30 am and 10:30 am. Check your local mosque’s timetable the evening before; timings are published only after moon-sighting confirms the day.
“The Messenger of God prayed the two Eid prayers without any call to prayer.”
Sunan Abi Dawud · Book of Prayer (Book 2) · Hadith 1148 · narrated by Ibn Abbas
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