London’s major Eid al-Adha celebration will be the free Eid on the Square event on Saturday, May 30 this year
Experts have given exact dates when the Eid al-Adha 2026 Dhul Hijjah moon are most likely to be sighted in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and parts of the UK. The crescent moon, which marks the start of the Islamic month, is expected to be visible in some locations on Sunday evening (May 17), however confirmed sightings will be needed.
If the moon is seen on this date, Dhul Hijjah – the final month of the Islamic calendar – will begin on May 18, placing Eid al-Adha on or around May 27. Muslims around the world are preparing for the moon sighting, with Eid al-Adha being one of the most important festivals in Islam, usually celebrated over three days.
Among the celebrations will be the major London event, Eid on the Square in Trafalgar Square . The free event will be held on Saturday, May 30 from 12pm to 6pm, marking the 20th anniversary Eid has been held in the iconic Central London location.
The main stage will be hosted by Nadia Ali and Juwayria Ghazali, fencing workshopswill be held by Muslim Girls Fence and fun art and craft workshops in Alif New Beginnings Family Zone. Tuck into some tasty treats from one of the food stalls and browse through a selection of community, charity and retails stalls. It’s a popular event, so please expect queues. Bag searches will take place on entry, so avoid bringing large bags.
When will the new crescent moon be visible in Saudi Arabia?
The Dhul Hijjah moon is expected to be visible on Sunday evening, May 17 in Saudi Arabia, where official moon sightings are expected to be carried out. The Kingdom’s moon sighting committees will look for the crescent shortly after sunset, with astronomers suggesting viewing conditions could be favourable in parts of the Middle East.
If the crescent is confirmed, May 18 would become the first day of Dhul Hijjah. Eid Al-Adha takes place on the 10th day of that month, so would likely begin on May 27. However if the moon is not sighted, the Islamic month of Dhul Qa’dah would complete 30 days and Eid would be pushed back by one day.
When will the new crescent moon be visible in the UK?
Some Muslims in the UK follow moon sightings announced by Saudi Arabia, while others might rely on local sightings. Weather conditions may affect whether the crescent is seen across parts of the UK, and so communities may begin Islamic months on different dates.
In the UK, experts say the crescent moon may be difficult to spot with the naked eye, but telescopes and clear skies may improve visibility. Mosques and Islamic organisations across Britain are expected to issue guidance closer to the expected sighting date.
Why Eid al-Adhadates can differ around the world
Eid dates can vary across the world because different countries and Islamic authorities use different methods to determine the start of the lunar month. Some rely strictly on physical moon sightings, while others use astronomical calculations to predict when the crescent should be visible.
This means Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Pakistan, Morocco and the UK can sometimes announce the beginning of Dhu al-Hijjah on different days.
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