The dates for Eid-ul-Azha in Pakistan for the year 2026 will be determined by the sighting of the crescent moon that marks the start of Dhu’l-Hijjah (Zil Hajj).
Preliminary forecasts indicate that if the new moon is sighted on May 17, Dhu’l-Hijjah would commence on May 18, placing Eid celebrations between May 27 and May 29. However, if the moon is not visible and the current lunar month completes its full 30 days, Eid is expected to shift by one day, occurring between May 28 and May 30.
The ongoing lunar month, Dhul-Qaida, began on April 19. The official moon-sighting session conducted by Pakistan’s Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is scheduled around May 17, when authorities will confirm the start of Dhu’l-Hijjah.
Based on these tentative projections, public holidays for Eid are anticipated from May 27 to May 29. Should these dates coincide with the weekend, a significant portion of the population could benefit from an extended break lasting up to five days. Alternatively, if the moon sighting shifts by a day, holidays may fall between May 28 and May 30, potentially creating another opportunity for a long weekend.
Officials have emphasized that the final dates will only be announced following the official moon-sighting confirmation.
