The Biggest Muslim Holidays You Should Know About

Universal kids faces during any holiday
Universal kid's faces during any holiday | © Phalinn Ooi / Flickr
Jessica Harn

Muslim holidays encompass a wide range of topics, emotions, and religious events, and they are celebrated in different Muslim communities around the globe. From the mourning of the death of religious leaders to the celebration of charity and humbleness, here are some of the biggest holidays that Muslims celebrate throughout the year.

Loved by over 40s

Ramadan

Probably the most well-known Muslim holiday, Ramadan falls on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and constitutes a month of fasting, going to mosques, giving to charities, and doing good deeds. It is a time of deep reflection for Muslims, and as Ramadan stands as one of the five pillars of Islam, this month is especially poignant for many.

In many Muslim countries, people will decorate their homes and neighborhoods with bright lights, giving Ramadan the nickname “the Christmas of Islam”

Laylat Al-Qadr

Laylat Al-Qadr is the night that Muslims believe the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, and although the exact date is not known, it likely falls during the last 10 days of Ramadan. It is one of the most important nights of the year for Muslims, and most will go to the mosque to pray, recite the Quran, ask for forgiveness, or give to charity.

Many Muslims will spend this evening and night reading the Quran

Eid Al-Fitr

The Eid Al-Fitr holiday is a feast and time of celebration that marks the end of Ramadan and the end of fasting. Many Muslims will hold large dinners with friends and families, and some may even participate in neighborhood soup kitchens or the giving out of food to celebrate and give thanks for all the blessings they have.

A female police officer dancing in the main square of Mogadishu to celebrate the coming of Eid Al-Fitr

Eid Al-Adha

Known as the “Feast of Sacrifice,” this Muslim holiday commemorates the day on which the Prophet Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his son in accordance with his obedience towards God. To remember the beauty of sacrifice, Muslims will sacrifice (or sometimes just buy) a lamb and divide it into three parts: one to give to the poor, the second to give to nearby relatives or friends, and the third for the family to eat.

Many Muslims make an extra effort in helping at charities and giving thanks for all the blessings they have

Ashura

Celebrated a bit differently by the Sunni and the Shia school of Islam, this day falls on the 10th day of the Muslim month of Muharram. For Sunnis, this is the day on which the Prophet Moses and the Israelites were saved from the Pharaoh, and many remember this through giving thanks by fasting. For Shias, however, this day is for mourning, as it was the day when anti-Muslin forces murdered the Prophet Mohammad’s grandson Hussein Ibn Ali in the year 680 AD.

For many Shia Muslims, this is a day of mourning as it commemorates the day Hussein Ibn Ali was murdered along with the rest of his family at the Battle of Karbala

Arba’een

A specifically Shia commemoration, this day falls on the 40th day after the day of Ashura, in a night of remembrance and grieving for the murder of the Prophet Mohammad’s grandson Hussein Ibn Ali by the tyrant Yazidi on the 10th of Muharram in the year 680 AD. It is a common Muslim practice to remember those who have died on the 40th day after their passing, and Shia Muslims today still spend this day remembering Hussein’s justice, bravery, and the good he did for the Muslim community in the early days of Islam.

The city of Karbala in Iraq, where Hussein Ibn Ali was killed, holds the greatest commemoration events and marches in the world and brings in more worshipers than Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Eid Al-Ghadeer

The anniversary of the day that the Prophet Mohammad proclaimed that Ali Ibn Abu Talib would be his successor, according to the Shia school of thought, Eid Al-Ghadeer is a celebration of the Prophet’s chosen line of succession after him. Many Shia Muslims commemorate this day by attending lectures and reading the history of both the Prophet and Ali Ibn Abu Talib while also trying to reconcile with the different viewpoints held by their Sunni brothers and sisters in the Islamic faith.

Mosques are usually packed on this day

Mawlid An-Nabi

This holiday is the celebration of the Prophet Mohammad’s birthday and takes many shapes and forms across different Muslim communities across the globe. Some Muslims will sing songs and celebrate with joy, while others will read about the life of the Prophet Mohammad or attend lectures at the mosque. Some Muslims will even fast to show thankfulness to God for their Prophet.

A boy looks up to his father during prayer
culture trip left arrow
 culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Keen to explore the world?

Our passionately curated premium small-group trips are an invitation to connect with like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences.