Hari Raya Haji 2026: Date, Public Holiday & Significance

If you’re already planning your 2026 calendar, you might be wondering exactly when Hari Raya Haji will land. The short answer is Wednesday, 27 May 2026 — but as with any Islamic holiday, the exact date depends on a moon sighting.

Expected date (Malaysia/Singapore): Wednesday, 27 May 2026 (subject to moon sighting) ·
Number of public holiday days in Malaysia: 1–2 days depending on state ·
Number of public holiday days in Singapore: 1 day ·
Alternative name: Eid al-Adha / Hari Raya Aidiladha

Six key facts at a glance, one pattern: the date is consistent across Malaysia and Singapore, but the number of public holiday days varies by state.

What date is Hari Raya Haji in 2026?

Expected date for Malaysia and Singapore

Hari Raya Haji 2026 is expected to fall on Wednesday, 27 May 2026 in both Malaysia and Singapore, according to official holiday calendars. The Singapore Ministry of Manpower (Singapore’s official labour regulator) lists this date as a public holiday, and the The Star (Malaysian news agency) reports that Malaysia’s official date is 27 May 2026.

However, the exact date is subject to the sighting of the Zulhijjah crescent moon, expected on the evening of 26 May 2026. Local moon-sighting committees in each country will make the final call.

Official confirmation status

As of now, both Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower and the Malaysian government have published 27 May 2026 as the expected date. The MOM press release for 2026 public holidays confirms the date. The timeanddate calendar also lists it as a federal holiday. Some astronomical calculations suggest a possible alternative date of Friday, 6 June 2026, but this is less likely for Southeast Asia, where moon-sighting tends to follow the actual crescent visibility.

The implication: For anyone planning travel or time off, the 27 May date is highly reliable, but waiting for the official moon-sighting announcement is the safest bet.

Is Hari Raya Haji a public holiday in 2026?

Public holiday status in Malaysia

Yes, Hari Raya Haji is a national public holiday in Malaysia on 27 May 2026. According to timeanddate, all states observe the first day as a federal holiday. In addition, the states of Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, and Terengganu also observe a second day on 28 May 2026 as a public holiday. The Malaysia Public Holiday site confirms this variation.

Public holiday status in Singapore

In Singapore, Hari Raya Haji is a one-day public holiday on 27 May 2026. The Ministry of Manpower lists it as a gazetted public holiday, meaning most businesses and government offices are closed.

Hari Raya Haji 2026 in the UK

In the United Kingdom, Hari Raya Haji is not a public holiday. Muslim communities observe the festival privately, with prayers and family gatherings. The UK government does not list it as a national holiday.

Hari Raya Haji 2026 in the Philippines

The Philippines recognizes Hari Raya Haji as a regional holiday in Muslim-majority areas, particularly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. However, it is not a nationwide public holiday.

The pattern: The public holiday status varies significantly across countries, with Malaysia and Singapore offering the most generous official time off, while the UK and Philippines offer limited recognition.

What is the significance of Hari Raya Haji?

Religious meaning of Eid al-Adha

Hari Raya Haji, also known as Eid al-Adha or the Festival of Sacrifice, commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. According to Islamic tradition, God provided a ram to sacrifice instead. The festival is a reminder of faith, devotion, and submission to God.

Connection to the Hajj pilgrimage

The festival marks the end of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca that every able-bodied Muslim is required to undertake at least once in their lifetime. The day of Eid al-Adha coincides with the 10th day of Zulhijjah, the month of Hajj. The timeanddate notes that the date is directly tied to the lunar calendar and the Hajj.

Key rituals: Qurban (animal sacrifice) and prayers

On the morning of Hari Raya Haji, Muslims perform special Eid prayers at mosques or open prayer grounds. After prayers, the Qurban (sacrifice of livestock such as sheep, goats, or cows) is performed. The meat is divided into three parts: one for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for the poor and needy. This practice emphasises charity and community.

The takeaway: Hari Raya Haji is not just a holiday; it is a profound religious observance that combines pilgrimage, prayer, and acts of charity.

How long is Eid al-Adha 2026?

Duration of the festival

Eid al-Adha is traditionally observed over 3–4 days, known as the Tasyrik days. The main day is the first day of the festival. In Islamic tradition, the days following the main celebration are also part of the festival, during which the Qurban meat is distributed. The eCentral.my calendar indicates that the Tasyrik days for 2026 are 27–30 May 2026. According to PublicHolidays.com.my, the festival is a nationwide holiday.

Public holiday vs. religious observance

While the religious festival lasts several days, the public holiday is typically only the first day in Malaysia and Singapore. Some countries, such as Saudi Arabia, observe longer public holidays for Eid al-Adha. In Malaysia, the additional second day for selected states extends the official break for some residents. For most Muslims, the full religious observance lasts several days, even if only one day is a public holiday.

The trade-off: Muslims in Malaysia and Singapore get one (or two) days off work, but the spiritual significance continues for the full Tasyrik period.

Timeline: What happens when?

The signal: The moon sighting on 26 May is the critical moment that determines the official start of the festival.

What we know and what’s still uncertain

Confirmed facts

• Malaysia and Singapore have declared 27 May 2026 as a public holiday for Hari Raya Haji (Singapore MOM, timeanddate).
• Singapore observes a one-day public holiday (MOM press release).

What’s unclear

• Exact date depends on moon sighting on 26 May 2026 – could shift by one day.
• Some astronomical calendars suggest 6 June 2026, but this is less likely for Southeast Asia.
• Additional public holiday on 28 May in Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, Terengganu is subject to state government confirmation.

“The official date of Hari Raya Haji 2026 will be announced after the sighting of the Zulhijjah crescent on 26 May 2026.”

— Malaysian Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM) official statement

“Muslims in Singapore are advised to refer to the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) for the confirmed date of Hari Raya Haji 2026.”

— Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS)

For Muslims in Malaysia and Singapore, the choice is clear: mark 27 May 2026 on your calendar, but keep an eye on the moon-sighting announcement on 26 May — or risk missing the first day of prayers.

For those planning ahead, the date for Hari Raya Haji 2025 in Singapore offers a useful reference point for understanding the annual observance.

Frequently asked questions