When Was Eid Al-Adha 2024? The Definitive Answer on Secure Muslim Calendar Dates

Eid Al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, returns each year with profound spiritual significance across the Islamic world—yet its precise date shifts with the lunar Islamic calendar, making precise timing essential for observance. For 2024, Muslim communities worldwide prepared to celebrate this sacred occasion on Friday, June 14, following the moment local sightings confirmed the first crescent moon of Dhu al-Hijjah. This date marks not only a religious milestone but also a time of communal reflection, charity, and ritual sacrifice, drawing millions in shared devotion.

Understanding when Eid Al-Adha fell in 2024 reveals not just calendar mechanics but also the enduring rhythm of faith across cultures and continents.

Eid Al-Adha is rooted in a timeless tradition dating back over 1,000 years, commemorating the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. The festival unfolds over several days, centered on ritual animal sacrifice (qurbani), sharing meat among family, friends, and the needy, and reflecting deep gratitude.

The timing of Eid Al-Adha is determined by the emergence of the lunar crescent marking the start of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which is 10–12 days shorter than the Gregorian year. This lunar cycle ensures the feast shifts annually, never aligning with fixed Gregorian dates.

The Islamic calendar’s lunar basis creates a fluid, dynamic schedule where Eid moves each year relative to the solar year.

In 2024, the precise moment of Eid Al-Adha occurred on Friday, June 14, as confirmed by astronomical calculations and synchronized global moon-sighting reports. While local communities may rely on regional moon-sighting committees to officially declare the start of Eid, the Spanish-based Islamic organization Firats expressed that visibilities in key regions—including the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Europe—aligned with the predicted crescent appearance on that Friday.

This timing allowed observant Muslims to begin preparations weeks in advance, including spiritual reflections, purchasing sacrificial animals, and arranging communal prayers.

Firats and other recognized Islamic authorities emphasized that the decision to declare Eid is often based on both scientific moon-sighting and consensus across diverse geographic regions to ensure unity in observance.

Uniquely, Eid Al-Adha unfolds over four days, traditionally culminating on June 16, 2024. The sequence unfolds as follows:

• First Day (June 14): Commencement of Eid prayers at dawn, followed by charitable acts and the ritual sacrifice.
• Second Day (June 15): Enhanced communal gatherings and redistribution of meat to extended family and those in need.
• Third Day (June 16): The final day of festivals, often marked by increased prayers and personal reflection.

The 2024 observance coincided with broader cultural observances across Muslim-majority nations and diaspora communities. In Saudi Arabia, home to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, Eid Al-Adha unfolded amid heightened religious activity, including special mosque services and millions participating in Hajj-related rituals before Eid.

Countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan reported large-scale celebrations, with markets brimming with pilgrim attire, ceremonial goods, and halal meat supplies. In Western cities from London to Toronto, Muslim communities organized Eid festivals, open-air prayers, and educational programs, emphasizing interfaith dialogue and integration while preserving core traditions.

Across continents, Saturday, June 14, marked not only the official date but a moment of global synchronization in worship and shared purpose.

Astronomical data played a critical role in pinpointing Eid Al-Adha 2024. Experts analyzed lunar cycles in December 2023 facing into early 2024, predicting the crescent’s visibility at sunset on June 13 in key locations.

Satellite imagery and celestial calculations indicated optimal conditions for moon sighting across the Middle East and North Africa, confirming regional readiness. Firats’ announcement, backed by rigorous scientific input, provided official backing to local efforts, minimizing ambiguity and ensuring coherence among diverse Muslim populations. This blend of traditional faith and modern science reflects how Islam balances spiritual authenticity with contemporary knowledge, maintaining continuity while adapting to global contexts.

The precision of these predictions allows communities worldwide to honor Eid Al-Adha with unity, despite time zone and geographic differences.

Beyond its chronological marker, Eid Al-Adha in 2024 served as a profound reminder of sacrifice, proportion, and compassion.

The ritual of qurbani—offering an animal in memory of Ibrahim’s test—invites introspection on ethical giving and communal responsibility. Families fed countless meals to the less fortunate across countries, reinforcing the festival’s emphasis on equity. In countless homes, the shared experience of breaking bread with loved ones, exchanging gifts, and reflecting on gratitude became expressions of deeper spiritual values.

These practices, enduring for centuries, underscore the festival’s role in strengthening both personal faith and social bonds.

As June 14 dawned, Muslims across continents embraced Eid Al-Adha not merely as a date, but as a vivid symbol of unity, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion.

The timing of Eid Al-Adha remains one of the most observable features of the Islamic calendar, a lunar phenomenon that orchestrates a global