According to astronomical forecasts, the holy month of Ramadan in the UAE is expected to begin on Monday, February 8, 2027, and end 29 or 30 days later, around Monday, March 8.

Ramadan is one of the most significant and highly anticipated religious occasions in the UAE, during which Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset.

As the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, Ramadan begins around 10 to 12 days earlier in the Gregorian calendar each year. However, the forecast dates for 2027 are not final. The official start will be announced after the crescent moon is sighted and confirmed by the relevant authorities.

UAE Could Get Five-Day Eid Al Fitr Holiday

Based on current forecasts, the 2027 Eid Al Fitr holiday is expected to begin on Wednesday, March 10, and continue until Friday, March 12.

If these dates are confirmed, many UAE employees could enjoy five consecutive days off when the Saturday and Sunday weekend is included. This could be one of the longest public holidays in the country in 2027.

However, the final dates of the Eid Al Fitr holiday will depend on the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon and an official announcement by the UAE Government.

Changes to Dubai Mall, Transport and Parking Hours

The start of Ramadan also brings changes to some aspects of daily life in Dubai. Public transport services and paid parking hours are usually adjusted during the month to accommodate fasting schedules.

Shops and restaurants generally continue operating as usual, although their opening hours may change. Dubai’s malls and some tourist attractions also typically remain open later at night, giving residents and visitors more time for shopping and leisure after iftar.

Public parking fee hours may also change during Ramadan, with parking potentially free during certain evening and overnight periods around iftar and suhoor.

Salik has also announced that dynamic toll charges at Dubai’s electronic toll gates will follow a different schedule during Ramadan.

Ramadan Customs and Traditions

In the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is a month of fasting, worship, charitable giving, and family and community gatherings.

Muslims fast from dawn until sunset for 29 or 30 days. The meal eaten at sunset is known as iftar, while the pre-dawn meal is called suhoor.

The exact length of Ramadan depends on the lunar cycle and the sighting of the crescent moon. The end of Ramadan and the arrival of Eid Al Fitr are announced once the start of Shawwal is confirmed.

All dates announced for the start of Ramadan and the 2027 Eid Al Fitr holiday in the UAE remain provisional and will not be final until officially confirmed.