Explained: Why Eid Al Adha changes date every year
In Dubai, public holidays such as Eid Al Adha move around the calendar and start on a different day every year.
The upcoming four-day long weekend is one of four public holidays in the UAE that rely on the Islamic calendar to determine when it begins.
Also known as the Hijri calendar, the Islamic calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, unlike the more widely used Gregorian calendar, which is based on the sun.
The lunar calendar is used predominantly by Muslims around the world to determine the dates of religious events and observances.
And this fundamental difference impacts how the calendar operates and why Islamic dates shift annually in relation to the Gregorian calendar.
Credit: Pexels
How long is each Islamic month?
Each Islamic month lasts either 29 or 30 days, depending on the moon's visibility. Consequently, a lunar year is approximately 354 or 355 days long, which is about 10 to 12 days shorter than the solar year used in the Gregorian calendar.
Because of the shorter year, Islamic months drift through the Gregorian calendar.
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This discrepancy causes Islamic months to shift backwards through the seasons over a 33-year cycle. Which is why 2024 was the first time in 24 years that Ramadan took place during the winter time. It will keep shifting and eventually take place in the summer again.
In the Islamic calendar, a new month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon. This can sometimes lead to slight variations in the start of months between different regions due to differences in moon sighting. (This also explains why Ramadan and Eid start on different days in different countries).
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Key Islamic celebrations such as Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, and the Hajj pilgrimage are all determined by the Islamic calendar, making them 'movable feasts' relative to the Gregorian calendar.
What are the Islamic calendar months?
The Islamic calendar is also made up of 12 months, each beginning with the sighting of the new moon. These months are:
Muharram Safar Rabi' Al Awwal Rabi' Al Thani Jumada Al Awwal Jumada Al Thani Rajab Sha'ban Ramadan Shawwal Dhu Al-Qa'dah Dhu Al-Hijjah
So… when is Eid Al Adha in 2025?
Officially, we get four days off to mark Eid Al Adha in the UAE.
Eid Al Adha is one of two major festivals for Muslims (the first one being Eid Al Fitr). The Muslim festival of Eid Al Adha marks the conclusion of the pilgrimage to Mecca.
The holiday gives Muslims the chance to come together with their community and celebrate with feasts and family time.
The holidays begins with Arafat Day on Dhu Al Hijjah 9 followed by Eid Al Adha on Dhu Al Hijjah 10, 11 and 12.
Current predictions show that the holiday dates will begin on Thursday June 5 with Arafat Day followed by Eid Al Adha on Friday June 6, Saturday June 7 and Sunday June 8.
More news in Dubai
There will be two Ramadans in 2030 – here's why
This won't happen again until 2063
When you can expect three Eid holidays in one year (yes, three)
Eid, sleep, repeat
UAE public holidays 2026: All the predicted days off next year revealed
Including when we can expect a six-day weekend
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