Eid 2025: What is the difference between Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha?

Time Out Dubai

14-05-2025

Eid, translating to festival, celebration, feast day or holiday, is celebrated by Muslims around the world twice a year, and Eid in Dubai is no different.
The two big Islamic Eid festivals are Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha with both being a time when families and friends come together donning new clothes and plenty of gifts (hello, eidiyas).
It's also a time when Eid sales come into full swing while restaurants pull out all the stops with special Eid dishes.
Eid in Dubai is when the city comes alive (Credit: Adobe Express)
That's not all though. Eid means two public holidays in the UAE, meaning private and public sectors, as well as schools, are given time off to enjoy the holidays.
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But what is the difference between Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha? Allow us to break it down for you.
Eid al Fitr
Both Eids are based on the sighting of the moon. (Credit: Shutterstock)
One of the four main public holidays and one of two Eid celebrations, Eid al Fitr is celebrated around the world by Muslims. The event marks the end of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Translating to the feast of breaking the fast, this Eid falls on the beginning of the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, Shawwal.
Dates
The holiday's official dates are based on the moon, as is the case with the start of Ramadan. And because the Islamic month is either 29 days or 30 days, we don't know when exactly Eid begins until around a day or two before it begins.
This year, Eid Al Fitr began on Sunday March 30 and lasted until Tuesday April 1, giving Dubai residents a bumper four-day weekend off work.
Time off
As part of the festivities, private and public sectors are given three to five days off, sometimes offering a long weekend or two. Schools and universities also get time off.
Eid in Dubai: Eid al Adha
You could pop over to AlUla for a staycation during your time off. (Credit: AlUla)
Eid al Adha is known as the festival of sacrifice (of either a goat, sheep or lamb) that takes place around 70 days after Ramadan and Eid al Fitr. This Eid is celebrated at the end of Hajj season. For both Eids, Muslims attend a special Eid prayer held at mosques, as well as promoting the importance of charity and giving back.
Dates
As with the other Eid and Ramadan, this Eid is based on the sighting of the crescent moon. But with Eid Al Adha falling on the ninth of the Islamic month of Dhu Al Hijjah then we're able to know more than a week in advance when exactly Eid Al Adha begins.
This year the Eid Al Adha break is predicted to begin on Friday June 6, with Arafat Day falling the day before. The break will last until Sunday June 8.
Time off
Private and public sectors and schools and universities are also given time off for this Eid. Known as the shorter Eid, you'll enjoy around three to four days off.
Celebrations
Dubai Mall, and other malls, tend to get really busy during the Eid breaks
As part of the religious festival, for both Eids, Dubai comes alive with decorations, both indoor and outdoor. Houses don lanterns and fairy lights, while restaurants boast limited-edition desserts and dishes.
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Other public holidays in the UAE
UAE flag
In addition to both Eids, people living in the UAE get the Islamic New Year, the Prophet Muhammad's birthday, the UAE National Day and the Gregorian January 1 off work and school.
This article originally appeared in our sister title Time Out Jeddah and has been edited to reflect what happens in Dubai
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