Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on Monday 8 February 2027, and Eid al-Fitr is expected on Tuesday 9 or Wednesday 10 March 2027. These are expected dates: each country confirms them by moon sighting or its own calculation. Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia list 10 March as the Hari Raya Puasa holiday, while the UAE expects 9 March if the crescent is seen.
Key takeaways
- Ramadan is expected to start on 8 February 2027, and the first day may differ by country.
- Eid al-Fitr is expected on 9 or 10 March in the UAE; Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia list 10 March.
- Indonesia adds collective leave on 9, 12 and 15 March, so its break is longer than the headline holiday.
- Google says retailers shift from value messages at the start of Ramadan to deals as Eid approaches.
- Build a one-to-two-day buffer into every Eid launch and keep a second version of time-sensitive posts.
When does Ramadan start in 2027?
Ramadan is expected to start on Monday 8 February 2027. The Khaleej Times quotes the UAE Astronomy Centre: Ramadan is expected to begin on 8 February 2027 in the UAE. A Jordan News report on the Saudi Hijri calendar also gives Monday 8 February. Malaysia's 2027 holiday circular lists Awal Ramadan on 8 February too, marked "subject to change".
In Arabic the month is رمضان. The dates remain expectations until each country's authority announces the sighting. The Jordan News article notes that Arab and Islamic countries differed on the start of the Hijri year 1448, so do not assume every market starts on the same day.
When is Eid al-Fitr 2027?
Eid al-Fitr is expected on Tuesday 9 March or Wednesday 10 March 2027. In Arabic it is عيد الفطر, and in Thai it is อีดิลฟิตรี. The table shows what each official source says.
| Market | Eid al-Fitr holiday | Source and notes |
|---|---|---|
| UAE | 9 March if the crescent is seen on 8 March; otherwise 10 March | Khaleej Times, citing the Astronomy Centre; the article says official dates could differ |
| Saudi Arabia | Not confirmed in the pages I opened | Only the Ramadan start (8 February) was verified |
| Singapore | Wednesday 10 March (Hari Raya Puasa) | Ministry of Manpower |
| Malaysia | Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 March (Hari Raya Aidilfitri) | FMM circular; subject to change |
| Indonesia | 10 and 11 March, with collective leave on 9, 12 and 15 March | Ministry of State Secretariat joint decree |
Because an Islamic month lasts 29 or 30 days, the sighting decides whether Ramadan ends a day earlier or later. That is why the UAE gives two dates.
How should you phase a Ramadan campaign?
Use three phases: before Ramadan, during it, and the run-up to Eid. Google's Think with Google guidance on Ramadan marketing describes the same shift in retail ads.
- Before Ramadan (from November 2026 to early February). Plan, brief and approve content. This is SOMIN's working rule of 12 to 14 weeks ahead, not an industry average.
- Start of Ramadan (from 8 February). Think with Google says experienced retailers go beyond competitive prices and emphasise value and convenience, such as fast delivery.
- Approaching Eid (late February to early March). The same page says retailers focus more on highlighting deals in their ads, as shopping activity rises as Eid nears.
- Eid and after (9 to 12 March). Greetings, gifting and travel, then a soft return to normal offers.
The page also estimates that Ramadan drove US$144 billion in retail sales across Southeast Asia and the Middle East and North Africa. Treat that as scale context, not a forecast for 2027.
What differs between MENA and Southeast Asia?
The religion and the rhythm are shared, but the holidays, languages and surrounding events differ. MENA markets such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia wait for official sighting announcements. Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia already list holiday dates, with Indonesia adding collective leave.
- Overlap with Lunar New Year. Lunar New Year is on 6 February, two days before Ramadan, so Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia see both seasons together.
- Valentine's Day. 14 February falls inside Ramadan, so check the tone of romantic content.
- Language. Use Arabic for the Gulf, Bahasa Indonesia and Malay for Indonesia and Malaysia, and the local greeting each time. See content localisation in Asia is not translation.
For all other 2027 dates, use the APAC and MENA marketing calendar, and for the regional context read Middle East travel marketing and the APAC festive calendar guide.
How do you handle moon-sighting uncertainty?
Plan for two possible dates and make the choice late. Do not hard-code a single Eid date into scheduled posts.
- Prepare two versions of Eid greetings, one for 9 March and one for 10 March.
- Schedule only content that works on either day, and hold date-specific posts until the announcement.
- Re-check official sources in late January for Ramadan and at the end of Ramadan for Eid.
- Give approvals to a named person who can act the same evening.
FAQ
When does Ramadan 2027 start?
It is expected to start on Monday 8 February 2027, according to the UAE Astronomy Centre and the Saudi Hijri calendar. The exact day depends on the moon sighting in each country.
When is Eid al-Fitr 2027?
Expected on 9 March (UAE, if the crescent is seen on 8 March) or 10 March. Singapore lists 10 March; Malaysia and Indonesia list 10 and 11 March.
Why do the dates differ by country?
Islamic months follow the moon and last 29 or 30 days, and countries confirm them by sighting or by their own calculation. Different methods can give different days.
How long before Ramadan should brands start planning?
SOMIN's working rule is 12 to 14 weeks, which means November 2026 for the February 2027 start. It is a planning guideline, not a measured average.
Is Indonesia's Eid break longer than the public holiday?
Yes. The joint ministerial decree lists 10 and 11 March as national holidays and adds collective leave on 9, 12 and 15 March.
Sources
- Khaleej Times, expected 2027 dates in the UAE
- Jordan News, first day of Ramadan 2027
- Singapore Ministry of Manpower, public holidays
- FMM circular on Malaysia's 2027 public holidays
- Indonesia, Ministry of State Secretariat, 2027 holidays and collective leave
- Think with Google, winning Ramadan marketing strategy
