Eid al-Adha 2026 France Date Saudi Arabia Announcement

French Muslims are preparing for Eid al-Adha, one of the most important festivals in Islam. As in many countries, the final date will depend on the announcement of the beginning of Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar.

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Saudi Arabia, which hosts the holy sites of Islam and the pilgrimage to Mecca, must conduct the official observation of the crescent moon on the evening of Sunday, May 17. If the crescent is sighted, the month of Dhul Hijjah will begin on Monday, May 18 and Eid al-Adha will fall on Wednesday, May 27. If no confirmed sighting occurs, the celebration could be postponed by one day.

A date still dependent on lunar observation

In France, several mosques and Muslim organizations are expected to await the Saudi announcement before communicating their own guidance to the faithful. Some mosques directly follow Saudi Arabia’s decision, while others rely on astronomical calculations or local announcements.

This is why the date of Eid can sometimes vary from one country to another, or even between different communities. Since the Islamic calendar is lunar, the beginning of each month depends on the appearance of the new crescent. Weather conditions, the method used, and the reference country can therefore lead to slightly different dates.

The celebration expected around May 27 in France

In France, Eid al-Adha 2026 is expected around Wednesday, May 27, but the exact date remains linked to confirmation of the beginning of Dhul Hijjah. The prefecture of Nord also indicates that the celebration will be observed "around May 27, 2026," with confirmation expected a few days before.

Eid al-Adha, also called Eid el-Kebir, commemorates the sacrifice of Abraham. The celebration is marked by Eid prayers, family visits, shared meals, donations to the needy, and, for those who wish, the ritual sacrifice of an animal.

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In France, this practice is strictly regulated. The Ministry of Agriculture reminds that slaughter related to Eid must be organized in approved slaughterhouses, sometimes temporary ones, in order to comply with health and regulatory requirements.