Eid al-Adha 2026: it's on Wednesday 27 May 2026 in France

What is the date of Eid al-Adha 2026?

According to astronomical calculations, Eid al-Adha 2026 is scheduled for Wednesday 27 May 2026 (10 Dhul Hijjah 1447). This date corresponds to the day of sacrifice (yawm an-nahr).

As every year, the final date will be confirmed by the sighting of the new crescent moon. It may vary by one day depending on the country.

Why does Eid al-Adha 2026 fall on 27 May?

Eid al-Adha is observed on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Hijri calendar. Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, it has about 354 days a year — 11 days fewer than the Gregorian calendar. This is why the date of Eid al-Adha moves forward by roughly 11 days each year in the civil calendar.

In 2026, the month of Dhul Hijjah 1447 begins on 17 May 2026 according to astronomical calculations (Umm al-Qura, the official Saudi calendar). The 10th of Dhul Hijjah, day of sacrifice, therefore falls on Wednesday 27 May 2026.

Two methods are used by Muslims to confirm the date: astronomical calculation (used by most Muslim countries) or direct sighting of the crescent moon (ru'yat al-hilal). In France, the Grand Mosque of Paris traditionally follows the decision of the Muslim Theological Council, which may rely on either method depending on the year.

Eid el-Kebir, Tabaski, Eid al-Adha: same celebration

Several names refer to the same religious celebration depending on the region of the Muslim world:

• Eid al-Adha (عيد الأضحى) — official Arabic name, literally “festival of the sacrifice”.
• Eid el-Kebir (“the great festival”) — common name in the Maghreb and France.
• Tabaski — name used in West Africa (Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast, Guinea).
• The Greater Eid or the 2nd Eid — as opposed to Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan.

Whichever name is used, the date is the same everywhere: Wednesday 27 May 2026.

The days of tashriq: 28, 29 and 30 May 2026

The three days following Eid are the days of tashriq (ayyam at-tashriq). The sacrifice remains valid during these days. In practice, you have from 27 to 30 May 2026 to perform your sacrifice.

The Day of Arafah: 26 May 2026

The eve of Eid, 26 May 2026, corresponds to the Day of Arafah. Fasting on this day is highly recommended for non-pilgrims. According to an authentic hadith, it expiates the sins of the past year and of the year to come.

When to pray the Eid al-Adha 2026 prayer in France?

The Eid prayer (Salat al-Eid) is performed on the morning of Wednesday 27 May 2026, in congregation, after sunrise and before the sun reaches its zenith. It is a Sunnah mu'akkadah (confirmed Sunnah) according to most schools of jurisprudence.

In mainland France, the prayer window extends approximately from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM depending on the city and the season. Major mosques typically organise multiple waves between 7:30 and 10:00 AM to accommodate the crowd. A few examples:

• • Paris / Île-de-France: generally around 7:00-9:00 AM
• • Lyon: slots 7:30-9:30 AM
• • Marseille: 7:00-9:00 AM depending on the mosque
• • Toulouse, Bordeaux, Nice: variable, 7:30-10:00 AM

Check directly with your local mosque about 7-10 days before Eid, when precise timings are published.

How to prepare your sacrifice properly?

Do not delay booking your sheep. Every year, stocks run out quickly as Eid approaches. Here are the key steps:

1. 1Book early — Prices go up and availability shrinks as Eid approaches. See our guide to sheep prices in France 2026.
2. 2Choose a trusted service — Make sure the sacrifice is performed according to the Sunnah and supervised by an imam.
3. 3Demand proof — A personalised video is the best guarantee that your sacrifice has indeed been carried out.

Can you delegate your sacrifice?

Yes, delegation of the sacrifice (tawkil) is perfectly valid according to all four schools of Islamic jurisprudence. It was the practice of many Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

With Qurbaniya, your sacrifice is performed by a qualified sheikh, in accordance with the Sunnah, and you receive a personalised video as proof.

The differences between Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr

The two Eids should not be confused. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, while Eid al-Adha commemorates the sacrifice of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and coincides with the pilgrimage (Hajj).

Eid al-Adha is considered the greatest celebration in Islam. It is the day when Muslims who have the means perform the ritual sacrifice.

The story of Eid al-Adha: the sacrifice of Ibrahim

Eid al-Adha commemorates the trial of Ibrahim (Abraham, peace be upon him), whom Allah commanded in a dream to sacrifice his son. According to Islamic tradition, this son is Ismail (Ishmael). Father and son both accepted the divine order in total submission.

At the moment of sacrifice, Allah substituted a ram sent from paradise in place of Ismail, rewarding Ibrahim's unwavering faith. It is in memory of this act of submission (islam) that Muslims sacrifice an animal every year on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah.

The account is mentioned in the Qur'an (Surah As-Saffat, verses 100-111). The Eid sacrifice is not a mere ritual: it is the expression of total obedience to Allah and of sharing with those most in need (the meat is traditionally divided into three parts: family, relatives, the needy).

The Hajj pilgrimage 2026: full calendar

Eid al-Adha is part of the wider cycle of the Hajj, the great pilgrimage to Makkah, the fifth pillar of Islam. Here is the full 2026 calendar (Hijri ↔ Gregorian correspondence):

For pilgrims, the 9th of Dhul Hijjah (Day of Arafah) is the most intense moment of the Hajj: they gather on Mount Arafah to invoke Allah. For non-pilgrims, it is a day on which fasting is strongly recommended.

Does Eid al-Adha fall on the same day everywhere in the world?

Not always. Although most Muslim countries align with the Saudi decision (the astronomical method Umm al-Qura), discrepancies of one day can exist depending on the method adopted locally.

In 2026, the main regions are expected to follow this calendar:

• • Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Jordan: 27 May 2026 (astronomical calculation)
• • France, Belgium, Switzerland: 27 May 2026 (most federations align with the Saudi decision)
• • Maghreb (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia): 27 May 2026, sometimes +1 day depending on local moon sighting
• • West Africa (Tabaski): generally aligned, may shift by 24 hours
• • Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan: 27 May 2026 expected, to be confirmed by local sighting

The final date is always confirmed the day before (26 May 2026), after the official sighting of the new crescent moon in countries that follow this method. In France, the Night of Doubt is announced by the official Muslim institutions.