Eid al-Adha 2026: confirmed dates across the US

Eid al-Adha 2026 is expected to fall on or around Tuesday 26 May, based on the projected Saudi moonsighting for the month of Dhul-Hijjah 1447. American Muslim communities will confirm the exact date in the days before, with announcements from ISNA, ICNA, and regional fiqh councils. As of mid-April, the projection is firm but not final.

What is Eid al-Adha?

Eid al-Adha — the Festival of Sacrifice — commemorates the prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. It is observed on the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah, the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. It coincides with the conclusion of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.

When is the prayer?

Eid al-Adha prayer is offered in congregation in the morning, typically between 30 minutes and one hour after sunrise. Major American mosques host multiple sittings to accommodate larger-than-usual turnout. Many cities have congregations that exceed mosque capacity; outdoor gatherings in parks and convention halls are common in Detroit, Chicago, Houston, and the New York metro area.

ICNA, ISNA, and Fiqh Council positions

For decades, American Muslims have observed Eid on slightly different dates depending on which moonsighting authority their community follows. Three major positions:

• ISNA and ICNA: Both follow the Fiqh Council of North America, which since 2006 uses astronomical calculation rather than physical moonsighting. This produces a consistent, predictable date for the entire continent.
• Saudi-following communities: Many mosques follow the official Saudi announcement, which is based on physical moonsighting in Saudi Arabia.
• Local moonsighting communities: A smaller group of mosques requires actual moonsighting from within North America, often producing dates one day later than the calculated dates.

For 2026, the calculated date and the projected Saudi date are expected to coincide on Tuesday 26 May. Local moonsighting communities may observe Wednesday 27 May.

Hajj and Eid al-Adha

Hajj begins on the eighth day of Dhul-Hijjah and concludes on the twelfth or thirteenth. The Day of Arafah falls on the ninth day — the most significant day of Hajj. For Muslims not on pilgrimage, fasting on the Day of Arafah is recommended in classical Islamic teaching. Eid al-Adha follows Arafah by one day.

Sacrifice and charity

Many American Muslims observe the sunnah of qurbani (sacrifice) by donating money to recognised charities to perform the sacrifice on their behalf in regions where it directly feeds families in need. Major American Muslim charities including Islamic Relief USA, Helping Hand for Relief and Development, and Zakat Foundation of America run qurbani programs each year.

WhiskAI coverage

We will update this article and the homepage Hijri context strip as confirmation arrives from regional authorities in the days before Eid. For prayer times on the day itself, your city page will display the regular Fajr through Isha schedule; check your local mosque for Eid prayer timing.