Eid al-Adha, known as the 'Festival of Sacrifice', is expected to begin on Wednesday 27th May and end on Friday 29th May 2026. The date varies annually according to the Islamic calendar.
Muslim families celebrate by feasting together on dishes such as lamb, chicken, and rice, often accompanied by delicious puddings. Children wear their best clothes, receive gifts, and sometimes have their hands decorated with henna.
Many people attend mosque in their finest attire. The festival honours the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God, before a ram was provided instead.
Eid al-Adha also marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the five pillars of Islam. For more information, visit BBC Bitesize.
