Eid Al Fitr is expected to take place either on Sunday, March 30, or Monday, March 31, depending on the sighting of the moon
Eid Al Fitr 2025 is a special occasion for Muslims and is a time for celebration with family and loved ones. It marks the end of the month of Ramadan, a period of month-long fasting for Muslims around the world, and the start of Shawwal, the tenth month in the Islamic calendar.
Eid Al Fitr is the second public holiday in the UAE this year following the Gregorian New Year on January 1. According to legislation passed by the UAE cabinet, Eid Al Fitr 2025 will be celebrated for three days, Shawwal 1 to 3, by both the public and private sectors.
Eid Al Fitr 2025 expected dates
Eid Al Fitr is expected to take place either on Sunday, March 30, or Monday, March 31, depending on the sighting of the moon. Unlike the widely used Gregorian calendar, the Islamic calendar operates on the lunar cycle. The sighting of the moon determines the end of the month-long period of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid. Therefore, the official Eid holiday has not been announced yet. The UAE moon-sighting committee is expected to make the official announcement just before the end of Ramadan.
The UAE cabinet’s legislation states that if the month of Ramadan completes 30 days, day 30 shall be deemed an official holiday in the UAE added to the Eid Al Fitr holiday. This would mean the UAE will have a four-day holiday.
If the crescent moon is sighted on Ramadan 29, the holiday will begin on Sunday, March 30, and run until Tuesday, April 1. Taking into account the weekend, it would mean a four-day holiday for UAE residents.
However, if the moon is not sighted on the 29th, the month of Ramadan will be 30 days and the 30th day will be considered a holiday in addition to the first three days of Shawwal. In this case, Eid Al Fitr 2025 will begin on Monday, March 31, and run until Wednesday, April 2. In addition to the weekend, UAE residents would have five days off (Saturday to Wednesday).
Notably, Eid Al Fitr is among the two main holidays celebrated in Islam, the other being Eid Al Adha.
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UAE holiday calendar for 2025
According to legislation passed by the UAE cabinet, the public and private sectors will observe the following holidays this year:
Gregorian New Year | January 1 | One day Eid Al Fitr | Shawwal 1 to 3 | Three days Arafa Day | Thu Al-Hijjah 9 | One day Eid Al Adha | Thu Al-Hijjah 10 to 12 | Three days Hijri New Year | Muharram 1 | One day Prophet’s Birthday | Rabi’ Al Awal 12 | One day National Day | December 2-3 | Two days
With the exception of Eid Holidays, the Cabinet may – pursuant to a resolution it issues – transfer any of the public holidays to the beginning or end of the week, the legislation added. Local governments may determine any other public holidays, not stipulated in this resolution, for their own government departments and corporations on any occasions related to it or for any other reason, the legislation said.
