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Eid al-Fitr 2025 Date: Sunday, March 30 or Monday, March 31

Daniel James Parker Cooper • 2026-07-24 • Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

If you’ve been counting down the last days of Ramadan 2025, you’re probably wondering exactly when Eid al-Fitr will arrive. The holiday’s date hinges on a single crescent moon sighting — a process that blends centuries-old tradition with modern astronomy — and this year it will likely land on Sunday, March 30 or Monday, March 31; here’s how the confirmation works, what the key authorities have decided, and what that means for your plans.

Eid al-Fitr 2025 expected date: Sunday, March 30 or Monday, March 31, 2025 ·
Islamic month: 1st of Shawwal 1446 AH ·
Ramadan 2025 duration: 29 or 30 days, confirmed by moon sighting ·
Countries observing as public holiday: Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, UAE, and many others ·
Moon sighting authority: Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia

Quick snapshot

1Expected Date Range
2Key Confirmations
3Regional Variations
  • Saudi Arabia sets date for many Sunni countries
  • Pakistan: date follows local moon sighting committee
  • India: date from central moon sighting committee
4Ramadan Length
  • Ramadan 2025: expected 29 or 30 days
  • Final confirmation on 29th night of Ramadan
  • Crescent visibility affects length

Six key facts, one pattern: the date is locked within a narrow window, but the final decision depends on a physical sighting that can shift the calendar by a day.

Fact Detail
Event Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast)
Islamic Year 1446 AH
Gregorian Date (expected) March 30–31, 2025
Duration 1–3 days depending on country
Primary Moon Sighting Authority Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia
Common Greeting Eid Mubarak

What date is Eid Mubarak 2025?

Expected Gregorian range for Eid al-Fitr 2025

  • Eid al-Fitr 2025 is expected to fall on Sunday, March 30 or Monday, March 31, 2025, according to the lunar calendar (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia).
  • The date depends on the sighting of the new crescent moon of Shawwal.
  • India declared March 31 as a gazetted holiday for Eid al-Fitr 2025.

Why the date can vary by country

Different countries rely on local moon sighting committees or follow the announcement from Saudi Arabia. For example, Pakistan and India have their own central committees that may declare a different day if the crescent is not visible locally.

Bottom line: The date for most Muslims will be March 30 or 31, with the final word coming from moon sightings on the evening of March 29.

The implication: while the range is narrow, the religious obligation of a physical sighting preserves a centuries-old practice in a modern world.

Did Saudi Arabia confirm Eid-ul-Fitr 2025?

The moon-sighting process in Saudi Arabia

  • Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court called on Muslims in the Kingdom to sight the Shawwal crescent on Saturday evening, March 29, 2025, corresponding to Ramadan 29, 1446 AH.
  • The court asked anyone who sighted the crescent with the naked eye or binoculars to report it to the nearest court and register testimony.
  • Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court had said that if the crescent was not sighted on Saturday, Ramadan would extend to 30 days and Eid al-Fitr would begin on Monday, March 31, 2025 (Gulf News, a news outlet).

Official announcement from the Supreme Court

After the sighting, the Saudi Royal Court announced that the crescent moon was spotted at Sudair and Tamir observatories in the Kingdom, making Sunday, March 30, 2025, the first day of Eid al-Fitr (Al Arabiya English, a news outlet).

Impact of Saudi announcement on other countries

Many Sunni-majority countries follow Saudi’s declaration, though some (like Indonesia and Morocco) have their own sighting process. The Saudi announcement often sets the tone for the global Islamic calendar (Al Jazeera, a news outlet).

The upshot

Saudi Arabia’s confirmation on March 30 was the decisive signal for millions of Muslims worldwide, even though astronomers had predicted the crescent would be invisible on the 29th.

The confirmation from Saudi Arabia, despite astronomical doubts, underscores the primacy of physical testimony over calculation in determining the Islamic calendar.

Is 2025 Ramadan 29 or 30 days?

How Ramadan length is determined

  • Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days based on actual moon sighting (BBC News, a news outlet).
  • For 2025, Ramadan is expected to be 29 or 30 days, with Eid falling on March 30 or 31.
  • The exact length is confirmed in the final two days of Ramadan.

Predicted completion of Ramadan 1446 AH

Astronomers cited by Middle East Eye said the crescent would not be visible from most of the world, including the Middle East, on Saturday, March 29, 2025 (Middle East Eye, a news outlet). The International Astronomy Centre said it would be impossible to see the crescent in the Middle East on Saturday, even with new technology. Yet the Saudi sighting was confirmed, leading to a 29-day Ramadan.

The catch

The discrepancy between astronomical predictions and the official sighting highlights the tension between modern science and traditional religious practice in determining the Islamic calendar.

The result was a 29-day Ramadan, meaning the traditional method overruled astronomical predictions for 2025.

Is Eid Friday or Thursday?

Eid al-Fitr 2025 day-of-week analysis

  • Eid al-Fitr 2025 is expected on a Sunday or Monday (CalendarDate, a calendar resource).
  • Eid al-Fitr 2024 was on Wednesday, April 10.
  • The day shifts by about 10-11 days each Gregorian year.

Comparison with previous years’ dates

In 2024, Eid fell on a Wednesday; in 2023, it was a Friday. The 2025 shift to Sunday/Monday is consistent with the lunar calendar’s drift of 10-11 days per year (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia).

Bottom line: For most people, Eid in 2025 will be a weekend holiday, making it easier to plan communal prayers and family gatherings.

The Sunday-Monday window is a departure from recent years, giving many Muslims a weekend celebration.

How to wish someone a happy Eid?

Common Eid greetings in Arabic and English

  • Common Arabic greeting is Eid Mubarak (Islamic Relief, a humanitarian organisation).
  • Alternate greetings include Eid Sa’id and Happy Eid.
  • Greetings can be exchanged from the evening before Eid through the day of Eid.

Appropriate times to offer greetings

It is customary to greet after the Eid prayer on the morning of Eid, but many also send messages the night before. Including a personal note like “May your celebrations be filled with joy” is a warm touch.

The trade-off

While “Eid Mubarak” is universal, using a local language greeting (like “Selamat Hari Raya” in Indonesia or “Barka da Sallah” in Nigeria) can show deeper cultural awareness.

Choosing the right greeting can deepen the personal connection of the Eid message.

Timeline: How Eid al-Fitr 2025 unfolded

  • Late February 2025 (approx.): Ramadan 1446 AH begins based on moon sighting (Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia).
  • March 29, 2025 (29th Ramadan): Countries search for the Shawwal crescent moon; if sighted, Eid next day.
  • March 30, 2025 (30th Ramadan if not sighted): Alternative date for Eid; final decision by Saudi Supreme Court.
  • March 31, 2025: Observed as Eid al-Fitr holiday in India and other countries following a Monday date.
  • April 1, 2025 (if needed): Third possible day for Eid in countries that start Ramadan later.

The sequence shows how a single sighting ripples across the globe to unify the start of the holiday.

What’s confirmed vs. what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Eid al-Fitr 2025 will fall within the window of March 30 to March 31, 2025.
  • Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court will issue the official announcement (The Times of Israel, a news outlet).
  • India has designated March 31 as a gazetted holiday for Eid.

What’s unclear

  • Exact date will not be official until the Shawwal moon is sighted.
  • Whether Ramadan will be 29 or 30 days depends on moon visibility.
  • Some countries may celebrate on a different day than Saudi Arabia.

The clarity section highlights the system’s inherent reliance on human observation.

Voices on the Eid announcement

The Supreme Court has called on all Muslims in the Kingdom to sight the crescent of the month of Shawwal on Saturday evening, March 29, 2025.

— Saudi Arabia Supreme Court statement, as reported by Al Arabiya English, a news outlet

We have confirmed the sighting of the new moon, and Eid al-Fitr will begin on Sunday, March 30, 2025.

— Saudi Royal Court announcement, as reported by Gulf News, a news outlet

Eid al-Fitr 2025 will be celebrated on March 30 in Ireland, based on the confirmed sighting.

— Islamic Centre Ireland, as reported on Islamic Centre Ireland, a religious authority

Historical records show that Eid al-Fitr 2025 was observed on March 31 in many regions.

— British Online Archives, cited by British Online Archives, an archival database

The voices converge on a core reality: the date was locked by a single physical event.

For Muslims in the US and UK, the confirmation means that most will celebrate on Sunday, March 30, with a smaller number observing on Monday, March 31, depending on local moon sighting. The choice for families and communities is clear: plan your prayers and festivities for the Sunday, but keep Monday as a backup — or risk missing the celebration altogether.

For those tracking regional differences, the predicted dates by country for Eid al-Fitr 2025 are explored in greater detail predicted dates by country.

Frequently asked questions

What is Eid al-Fitr?

Eid al-Fitr is the “Festival of Breaking the Fast” that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. It is a day of prayer, feasting, and charity.

Why does the date of Eid al-Fitr change each year?

The Islamic calendar is lunar, based on moon phases. Each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon, causing the calendar to shift about 10-11 days earlier each Gregorian year.

How is the start of Eid al-Fitr determined?

It is determined by the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon. Religious authorities, such as the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia, gather testimony from reliable witnesses and then announce the date.

What is the difference between Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha?

Eid al-Fitr comes at the end of Ramadan and celebrates the breaking of the fast. Eid al-Adha comes later in the Islamic year, during the Hajj pilgrimage, and commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son.

Are there specific foods or traditions associated with Eid al-Fitr?

Yes, many Muslims begin the day with a special prayer, then enjoy festive meals that often include sweet dishes like dates, pastries, and vermicelli. It is also customary to give charity (Zakat al-Fitr) before the Eid prayer.

How long does Eid al-Fitr last?

Traditionally, Eid al-Fitr is celebrated for one to three days, depending on the country. In many Muslim-majority nations, it is a public holiday that lasts two or three days.

Is Eid al-Fitr a public holiday in non-Muslim countries?

In many Western countries with significant Muslim populations, Eid al-Fitr is not a national public holiday, but it is often recognized by schools and employers as a day of religious observance. Some cities in the UK, US, and Canada allow flexible leave.

The FAQs provide baseline knowledge for anyone navigating the holiday for the first time.



Daniel James Parker Cooper

About the author

Daniel James Parker Cooper

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