Key takeaways
- Expected Eid al-Fitr: Tuesday, March 9, 2027 (FCNA calendar); possibly Wednesday, March 10 where local sighting is used
- Zakat al-fitr is paid for each person before the Eid prayer; ask your mosque for the 2027 amount
- Eid is marked with the morning prayer, family visits, meals, gifts and charity
- Small gold gifts (a coin, a pendant, earrings) are a lasting alternative to cash Eidi
- Eid al-Adha 2027 is expected around mid-May; the date is confirmed closer to the time
When is Eid al-Fitr 2027 in Canada?
Eid al-Fitr is the first day of Shawwal, the month after Ramadan. Like every Islamic month, it starts with the new crescent moon.
| Method | Expected last fast | Expected Eid al-Fitr |
|---|---|---|
| Fiqh Council of North America (calculation) | Monday, March 8, 2027 | Tuesday, March 9, 2027 |
| Local moon sighting | March 8 or 9, 2027 | March 9 or 10, 2027 |
The FCNA calendar puts 1 Shawwal 1448 on Tuesday, March 9, 2027. Moonsighting.com, which uses the FCNA criteria, says the crescent can be seen in North America on the evening of March 8. Mosques that wait for a confirmed local sighting will announce on the evening of the 29th of Ramadan. Check with your mosque for its final date and Eid prayer times.
Eid al-Fitr is not a statutory holiday in Canada. If it falls on a work or school day, many employers and school boards allow time off for religious observance. Ask your employer or school early.
What is Eid al-Fitr and how is it celebrated in Canada?
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan. The Government of Canada describes Muslims coming together to celebrate the end of fasting, "while praying as well as sharing meals and exchanging gifts and greetings" with family and loved ones.
- Eid prayer. The day starts with a congregational prayer in the morning. In large cities, some mosques hold it in big rented halls to fit everyone.
- Zakat al-fitr. Before the Eid prayer, each household pays zakat al-fitr (also called fitrana) for every member, so that people in need can celebrate too. It is based on the cost of a staple food, and mosques and Muslim charities in Canada announce a per-person amount each year. Ask your mosque for the 2027 amount.
- Family and food. People wear new or best clothes, visit relatives, and share sweet dishes that differ by the family's heritage.
- Gifts. Children often receive money, called Eidi in many South Asian families. Gifts for parents, spouses and newlyweds are common.
What do you say on Eid?
- Eid Mubarak means "blessed Eid". It is the most common greeting in Canada and works in any language.
- Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum means "may Allah accept from us and from you". Many people say it after the Eid prayer.
If you are writing to a colleague or neighbour, a short "Eid Mubarak, wishing you and your family a happy Eid" is warm and correct.
Is gold a good Eid gift?
Gold is a traditional gift in many Muslim families from South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia, especially for brides, newlyweds, daughters and mothers. It is a gift that keeps its value, unlike most gifts. Keep it in proportion: Eid is about gratitude and sharing, and a small piece is as welcome as a large one.
A few tips if you choose gold:
- Check the karat. 24K is 99.9% gold, 22K is 91.6% (stamped 916), 21K is 87.5% (common in Gulf jewellery), 18K is 75%.
- Ask for the weight in grams and compare the price with the day's gold rate. The difference is the making charge.
- Coins and small bars have little or no making charge, so more of your money goes into gold.
- Keep the receipt. It helps with exchanges and, if gold is kept as savings, with working out zakat later.
How do you plan for Eid when the date is not fixed?
Because Eid depends on the moon, the date can move by a day. A little planning helps.
- Work and school. Ask for both possible days early, March 9 and March 10, 2027, and confirm once your mosque announces.
- Gifts. Order or buy gifts by the first week of March so a one-day shift does not matter. If you are ordering jewellery or engraving, allow extra time.
- Family abroad. Eid can fall on a different day in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh or the Gulf than in Canada. If you send Eidi or a gift home, check the date where your family lives.
- Zakat al-fitr. Pay it in the last days of Ramadan, before the Eid prayer, so it reaches people in time.
What are good Eid gift ideas?
- For children: Eidi in a decorated envelope, a small 24K gold coin, a silver bracelet
- For a mother or wife: gold earrings, a light chain, a pendant, a prayer mat or perfume (attar)
- For newlyweds: a gold coin or a pair of bangles
- For anyone: dates, sweets, a Quran with a nice cover, or a donation in their name
Planning further ahead? Eid al-Adha 2027 is expected around Sunday, May 16, based on the Umm al-Qura calendar. The Fiqh Council of North America follows the Hajj authorities' announcement, so the date will be confirmed closer to the time.
To price a gift before you shop, use our gold value calculator with the gold price per gram in Canada.