When Is Eid al-Adha 2027? Date, Qurbani Days and the Days of Tashreeq

Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, falls on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, the day after the pilgrims’ standing at Arafah. It commemorates the readiness of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah, and the ram that was sent in his place. It is the greater of Islam’s two Eids, and lasts — in its days of sacrifice and takbir — well beyond a single day.

Eid al-Adha 2027: the schedule

Day	Date (Umm al-Qura)	What happens
8 Dhul-Hijjah	Friday 14 May 2027	Day of Tarwiyah; pilgrims go to Mina
9 Dhul-Hijjah	Saturday 15 May 2027	Day of Arafah — fast if not on Hajj
10 Dhul-Hijjah	Sunday 16 May 2027	Eid al-Adha — Eid prayer, sacrifice begins
11 Dhul-Hijjah	Monday 17 May 2027	Day of Tashreeq
12 Dhul-Hijjah	Tuesday 18 May 2027	Day of Tashreeq
13 Dhul-Hijjah	Wednesday 19 May 2027	Last Day of Tashreeq; sacrifice ends at sunset (majority view)

Saudi Arabia announces the start of Dhul-Hijjah after looking for the crescent on the evening of 29 Dhul-Qa’dah — expected on Thursday 6 May 2027. If the moon is not seen, every date above moves one day later.

In 2026 Eid al-Adha was on Wednesday 27 May. In 2028 it is expected on Friday 5 May.

Why most of the world celebrates on the same day

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr often differ by a day between countries. Eid al-Adha differs much less, because Hajj — and the Day of Arafah — follows Saudi Arabia’s determination of Dhul-Hijjah, and most countries align their Eid al-Adha with it. A few countries that follow strict local sighting, especially in South Asia, sometimes celebrate a day later.

The story behind the day

The Quran describes how Ibrahim saw in a dream that he was sacrificing his son, and how his son replied: “O my father, do as you are commanded; you will find me, if Allah wills, among the patient” (37:102). When both had submitted, Allah called out to Ibrahim and ransomed the son “with a great sacrifice” (37:107). Muslims commemorate this submission each year with their own sacrifice — a reminder, as the Quran says, that “it is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is the piety from you that reaches Him” (22:37).

Qurbani (udhiyah) in brief

Who sacrifices: the majority of scholars regard qurbani as a highly emphasised Sunnah for those who can afford it; the Hanafi school holds it is obligatory (wajib) for every adult Muslim who meets the threshold of wealth.

Which animals: sheep, goats, cattle or camels, meeting minimum ages — commonly one year for a goat, six months to one year for a sheep (depending on school and condition), two years for cattle and five years for camels. A sheep or goat counts for one person; a cow or camel can be shared by up to seven.

Condition: the animal should be healthy and free from obvious defects — not blind in one eye, clearly lame, clearly sick, or emaciated.

Timing: the sacrifice is valid only after the Eid prayer. “Whoever sacrifices before the prayer, it is only meat he has offered his family; it is not part of the sacrifice” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5560). It continues until sunset on the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah according to many scholars, or the 12th according to others — 16 to 19 May 2027, or 16 to 18 May.

Distribution: it is recommended to divide the meat into thirds — for your household, for relatives and friends, and for the poor — though any division that includes giving some away is acceptable.

Hair and nails: those intending to sacrifice are instructed not to cut their hair or nails from the start of Dhul-Hijjah (evening of 6 May 2027) until their sacrifice (Sahih Muslim 1977).

Through a charity: most Muslims in the West arrange qurbani through a charity or a local butcher. Book early, confirm that the sacrifice will be performed after the Eid prayer in the country where it is carried out, and keep your receipt.

Sunnahs of the day of Eid al-Adha

• Takbir from Fajr on the Day of Arafah until ‘Asr on the 13th, after each prayer, and freely at other times.
• Ghusl, best clothes and perfume.
• Delay eating until after the prayer — the Prophet ﷺ would not eat on the day of al-Adha until he returned, then eat from his sacrifice (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 542). This is the reverse of Eid al-Fitr.
• Go to the Eid prayer early, by one route, and return by another.
• Sacrifice, share the meat, visit family and make the day joyful.
• Greet others: Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum.

Sacrificing locally or abroad

Many Muslims in Europe, North America and Australia now arrange their qurbani overseas through charities, where the meat goes to people in need. Others prefer to sacrifice locally and share the meat with family and neighbours, as the Prophet ﷺ did. Both are valid. Points worth weighing:

• Sunnah of eating from it: it is recommended to eat some of your own sacrifice. If it is carried out abroad, you will not be able to, though the sacrifice is still valid.
• Timing across time zones: the sacrifice must happen after the Eid prayer in the place where it is carried out. Reputable charities account for this; ask if unsure.
• Distribution: sacrificing where there is greater need can multiply its benefit, which is why many scholars encourage it, especially in times of famine or conflict.
• Local animal welfare and law: in many Western countries, sacrifice must be carried out in a licensed abattoir. Do not slaughter at home unless it is legal and you are trained.

Some families combine the two: one sacrifice locally for the household and neighbours, and one abroad for those in need.

The Days of Tashreeq

The 11th, 12th and 13th of Dhul-Hijjah are called the Days of Tashreeq — originally from the drying of sacrificial meat in the sun. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The Days of Tashreeq are days of eating, drinking and remembrance of Allah” (Sahih Muslim 1141).

• No fasting on these days (with a narrow exception for pilgrims who could not find a sacrificial animal).
• Keep up the takbir after the prayers.
• Continue the celebration — Eid al-Adha is, in practice, a four-day festival in many countries, with public holidays across the Gulf, Pakistan, Turkey and elsewhere.

Note that 13 Dhul-Hijjah would normally be one of the White Days; because it is a Day of Tashreeq, people who fast the White Days fast the 14th and 15th instead (20 and 21 May 2027).

Eid al-Adha around the world

The festival has many names and customs:

• Turkey: Kurban Bayramı, usually a four-day public holiday with the afternoon of Arafah also off; families visit elders and share sacrificial meat with neighbours.
• Pakistan and India: Bakra Eid or Eid ul-Azha, with livestock markets springing up in cities in the weeks before.
• Indonesia: Idul Adha, with the sacrifice often organised through mosque committees that distribute meat to the whole neighbourhood.
• North and West Africa: Tabaski in Senegal and much of West Africa, and Eid al-Kabir, “the Big Eid”, in Morocco and Algeria.
• The Gulf: government holidays commonly run for several days from the Day of Arafah.

Public holiday lengths are set each year by national governments, so check the official announcement in your country.

Planning for May 2027

• Leave: Sunday 16 May is a weekend day in many Western countries; if your community celebrates on Monday 17 May, plan accordingly. In the Gulf, government holidays typically span from Arafah into the Days of Tashreeq.
• Qurbani: book by early May at the latest.
• Travel: airports and roads around Eid are busy; book early.
• Track the time remaining on our Eid al-Adha countdown.

Summary

• Eid al-Adha 1448: expected Sunday 16 May 2027; Arafah on Saturday 15 May.
• Sacrifice after the Eid prayer, through 19 May (or 18 May) 2027.
• Days of Tashreeq: 17–19 May — no fasting, continue the takbir.
• Most of the world celebrates on the same day, following the Hajj calendar.