Ramadan occurs once every year on the Islamic lunar calendar, shifting about 11 days earlier each Gregorian year. Here's why the date changes, when Ramadan falls through 2030, and how the season affects the fasting experience.
Ramadan Comes Once a Year — But Never on the Same Date
If you've noticed that Ramadan seems to fall at a different time each year, you're not imagining it. Your Muslim colleague fasted during summer last year and spring this year. Your neighbour's iftar was at 9pm a few years ago and now it's at 6pm.
Here's why — and when Ramadan will fall for the next several years.
Ramadan Happens Every Year, Without Exception
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar. It occurs once every year, every single year, without exception. It's one of the Five Pillars of Islam, so there's no "skipping a year" or "taking a break."
Every adult Muslim who is physically able fasts for the entire month — roughly 29 or 30 days.
Why the Date Changes: The Islamic Lunar Calendar
The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, meaning it follows the cycles of the moon rather than the sun. Here's the key difference:
- Gregorian calendar (the one most of the world uses): 365 days per year, based on the Earth's orbit around the sun
- Islamic (Hijri) calendar: roughly 354 days per year, based on the moon's phases
Because the Islamic year is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year, Ramadan shifts earlier by approximately 11 days each year on the Western calendar.
This means:
- Ramadan slowly moves through all four seasons over a roughly 33-year cycle
- A Muslim who lives to old age will have experienced Ramadan in every season — summer, winter, autumn, and spring
- The fasting hours change dramatically depending on the season and your location
When Does Ramadan Fall? Upcoming Dates
Here are the approximate Ramadan dates for the coming years (exact dates depend on moon sighting):
| Year | Approximate Start | Approximate End | Eid al-Fitr | |------|-------------------|-----------------|-------------| | 2026 | Feb 18 | Mar 19 | Mar 20 | | 2027 | Feb 7 | Mar 9 | Mar 10 | | 2028 | Jan 28 | Feb 26 | Feb 27 | | 2029 | Jan 16 | Feb 14 | Feb 15 | | 2030 | Jan 5 | Feb 3 | Feb 4 | | 2030 | Dec 26 | Jan 24 (2031) | Jan 25 |
Note: These are estimates. The exact start depends on the confirmed sighting of the new crescent moon, which is why dates can vary by a day or two between countries and communities.
How Is the Start of Ramadan Determined?
This is where it gets interesting — and sometimes controversial.
The traditional method is physical moon sighting. When the crescent moon (hilal) of the new month is spotted after sunset on the 29th of Sha'ban (the month before Ramadan), Ramadan begins the next day. If it's not spotted, Sha'ban completes 30 days and Ramadan starts after that.
In practice, there are two main approaches used today:
1. Local Moon Sighting
Each country or region confirms the moon sighting locally. This means Ramadan might start on different days in different countries — Saudi Arabia might announce it a day before Morocco, for example.
2. Astronomical Calculation
Some scholars and organisations use pre-calculated astronomical data to predict when the new moon will be visible. This allows them to announce Ramadan dates well in advance.
The result? You might see some Muslims starting Ramadan on different days, even in the same city. This usually comes down to which mosque or scholarly authority they follow. Both approaches are considered valid by different schools of Islamic scholarship.
How the Season Affects the Fast
Because Ramadan rotates through the seasons, the fasting experience changes dramatically:
Summer Ramadan (Long Days)
- Northern Europe/Canada: Fasting can last 18-20+ hours
- UK/Northern US: Around 17-19 hours
- Challenges: Extreme thirst, minimal sleep between Taraweeh and suhoor
- Silver lining: These are considered the most rewarding fasts because of the difficulty
Winter Ramadan (Short Days)
- Northern Europe/Canada: Fasting may be only 8-10 hours
- UK/Northern US: Around 10-12 hours
- Challenges: Very early Fajr and suhoor times, but the fast itself is easier
- Silver lining: More manageable for new fasters and those with health concerns
2026: A Spring/Winter Ramadan
This year (2026), Ramadan falls in February-March, meaning relatively moderate fasting hours in most Western countries — roughly 12-14 hours depending on your latitude. It's a sweet spot between the extreme summer and short winter fasts.
The 33-Year Cycle
One of the beautiful aspects of the Islamic lunar calendar is this complete rotation. Here's what it means practically:
- A Muslim born today will fast in every season of the year throughout their lifetime
- No one group of Muslims is permanently advantaged or disadvantaged by geography — everyone takes turns with longer and shorter fasts
- The shared experience of rotating seasons creates solidarity across generations — your grandmother fasted 19-hour summer days too, just at a different point in her life
A Quick Note on Eid
Ramadan ends with Eid al-Fitr, which is determined the same way — by sighting the new moon at the end of Ramadan. When the crescent of the next month (Shawwal) is confirmed, the next day is Eid.
This is why Eid can also fall on different days in different countries, and why your Muslim friends might celebrate on slightly different days.
FAQ
Does Ramadan always last 30 days? It lasts either 29 or 30 days, depending on when the new moon is sighted. Islamic months alternate between 29 and 30 days.
Can Ramadan fall in December? Yes! In fact, by 2030, Ramadan will fall in late December/January again. Over the 33-year cycle, it passes through every month on the Gregorian calendar.
Why don't all Muslims start on the same day? Different countries and communities use different methods (local sighting vs. calculation vs. following Saudi Arabia). It's a scholarly difference, not a division.
What if you live in the Arctic where the sun doesn't set? Muslims in extreme latitudes follow scholarly guidance — typically using the timetable of the nearest city with distinguishable day/night, or following Makkah's timings.
The Bottom Line
Ramadan comes once a year, every year, on the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The date shifts approximately 11 days earlier each year on the Gregorian calendar, cycling through all seasons over 33 years.
For 2026, expect Ramadan around February 18 to March 19. But always confirm with your local mosque or Islamic authority, because the moon — not the calendar — has the final say.
