Ramadan 2026 is landing in February–March, which is why “Winter Ramadan 2026” is trending hard—especially in the USA and Europe. Shorter daylight + cooler weather can make fasting feel more manageable than a summer Ramadan.
Key Takeaways (for busy readers)
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Expected Ramadan 2026 start (evening): Feb 17–19, 2026 (Tue–Thu) — varies by country + moon-sighting method. [Islamic Relief – Ramadan timetable]
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Expected Eid al-Fitr 2026 (Day 1): Mar 20–21, 2026 (Fri–Sat) — confirmed by Shawwal moon sighting. [IslamicFinder – Eid ul Fitr 2026]
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UAE high-intent window (predicted): Mar 20–22, 2026 (Fri–Sun) — many UAE guides forecast a long weekend, but official UAE confirmation can shift by ±1 day. [Gulf News – UAE predicted Eid dates] [Time Out Dubai – UAE Eid dates 2026]
Google Snippet Table (Planning Dates)
| Country/Region | Expected Start (Evening) | Expected End (Evening) | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | Feb 17–19, 2026 (Tue–Thu) | Mar 19–21, 2026 (Thu–Sat) | Winter Ramadan → shorter daylight in many states; confirm locally. |
| UK / Europe | Feb 17–19, 2026 (Tue–Thu) | Mar 19–21, 2026 (Thu–Sat) | Winter Ramadan → cooler weather + earlier iftar vs summer. |
| UAE (Dubai/Abu Dhabi) | ~ Feb 17–19, 2026 (Tue–Thu) | ~ Mar 19–21, 2026 (Thu–Sat) | Final dates follow official moon sighting / announcement. [UAE public holidays – Property Finder] |
Note: These are planning dates. The official start/end is confirmed by local authorities (moon sighting or accepted calculations).
Key Dates: Ramadan 2026 (and why “Winter Ramadan” feels easier)
Because Winter Ramadan 2026 is expected from mid-February into late-March, it’s late winter / early spring across much of the Northern Hemisphere.
That usually means:
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Shorter daylight = shorter fasting hours (in many cities)
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Cooler temperatures for a lot of the US/Europe
If you want a simple, text-only comparison:
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In peak summer, many places can see ~16+ hour fasts (especially at higher latitudes).
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In this winter cycle, many regions often land closer to ~11–13 hours, depending on your city and method. (Always confirm locally because latitude changes everything.)
UAE Eid Vacation Window (what people REALLY want to know)
If you’re targeting UAE/Gulf readers, the highest-intent query is basically:
“Eid al-Fitr holiday 2026 UAE — how many days off?”
What many UAE guides are currently predicting:
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Eid al-Fitr break (expected): Mar 20–22, 2026 (Fri–Sun)
Why it’s not 100% locked yet:
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Eid starts with the Shawwal moon sighting, so the official UAE announcement can move the holiday by one day in either direction.
Why dates vary (and why another country may start 1 day earlier)
Ramadan follows the lunar calendar, so different countries/communities may:
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rely on local moon sighting, or
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use astronomical calculations, or
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accept sightings from other regions
So seeing Feb 17 vs Feb 18 vs Feb 19 across calendars is normal.
Fast way to confirm suhoor & iftar times for your exact city
If your real question is “tell me exactly when to stop eating and when to break the fast”:
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Confirm the expected date range from a reputable Ramadan calendar
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Use a city-specific tool/app to track daily times
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Apps like Muslim Pro, IslamicFinder, or Google Qibla Finder are commonly used for reliable daily time tracking (then match your local method).
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Cross-check with your local mosque Ramadan timetable (often the practical “final word” for your community)
FAQ
When is Ramadan 2026 expected to start?
Most planning calendars place the start around the evening of Feb 17–19, 2026 (Tue–Thu), depending on local confirmation.
When is Eid al-Fitr 2026?
Many sources place Eid Day 1 on Mar 20 or Mar 21, 2026 (Fri–Sat), depending on moon sighting.
How long is the Eid holiday in the UAE (expected)?
A common prediction for the UAE is Mar 20–22, 2026 (Fri–Sun)—but it can shift by a day after the official announcement.
Why is “Winter Ramadan” a big deal?
For many Northern Hemisphere cities, winter/early spring often means shorter daylight (shorter fasting hours) and cooler daytime conditions.
Wrap-up
For planning, Winter Ramadan 2026 is widely expected to run from mid-February into mid/late-March, with a start around Feb 17–19 (Tue–Thu) and Eid al-Fitr likely around Mar 20–21 (Fri–Sat). UAE readers should keep an eye on the predicted Eid break window: Mar 20–22 (Fri–Sun)—then wait for official confirmation.