Ramadan Calendar UK 2026: Exact Dates, Fasting Times & City Guides
In 2026, Muslims in the UK will fast for up to 17 hours a day, with Ramadan expected to begin around mid-February and end in March. That places sahur before 5am and iftar after 5:30pm in many cities, during one of the coldest, darkest parts of the year.
Those margins leave little room for error, which is why an accurate Ramadan calendar matters. From confirmed dates and daily fasting times to city-by-city variations, here’s what you need to know.
This guide updates everything for Ramadan 2026 in the UK—with confirmed dates, real prayer times, and practical advice for Muslims living in Britain today.
Ramadan 2026 in the UK: The dates that matter
According to UK moon‑sighting organisations and major Islamic charities, Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin on the evening of Wednesday 18 February 2026.
The first fast will likely be on Thursday 19 February 2026. The month is expected to end on the evening of Thursday 19 March or Friday 20 March 2026, depending on the sighting of the moon. Eid al‑Fitr is therefore expected on Friday 20 March or Saturday 21 March 2026.
This uncertainty isn’t a flaw. It’s how the Islamic lunar calendar works. Every UK Ramadan calendar is an estimate until your local mosque confirms it.
Why Ramadan 2026 feels different in Britain
Ramadan 2026 falls almost entirely in late winter. That changes everything.
Fasts are shorter than summer Ramadans, but Fajr is late and Maghrib is early. For many UK Muslims, this makes consistent mosque attendance easier—especially for Isha and Taraweeh.
It also means workdays, school mornings, and commutes matter more than ever. A reliable Ramadan calendar isn’t optional—it’s how you plan your life for 29 or 30 days.
What a Ramadan calendar actually does (and why it matters)
A proper UK Ramadan calendar gives you:
- Suhoor (Fajr) cut‑off times – when fasting begins
- Iftar (Maghrib) times – when fasting ends
- Daily prayer start times – which differ by city
- Awareness of jamaat variation at local mosques
In the UK, prayer times can vary by 10–15 minutes between cities. London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh do not share one timetable.
London Ramadan calendar 2026 (real example)
Using verified calculations published by major UK Islamic organisations, here’s what the first day of Ramadan 2026 in London is expected to look like:
- Date: Thursday, 19 February 2026
- Fajr (Suhoor ends): approx. 05:31
- Sunrise: approx. 07:07
- Dhuhr: approx. 12:19
- Asr: approx. 15:32
- Maghrib / Iftar: approx. 17:26
- Isha: approx. 18:47
These are start times. Jamaat times at mosques such as East London Mosque or London Central Mosque may differ by several minutes.
For full, day‑by‑day London timings, always check an official source like Islamic Relief UK.
Other UK cities: what to know
If you live outside London, never rely on a London‑only calendar.
Manchester & Birmingham are usually a few minutes later for Maghrib. Glasgow and Edinburgh can differ more noticeably, especially near the start and end of Ramadan.
The rule is simple: use a city‑specific Ramadan calendar, ideally from your local mosque or a national charity with verified calculations.
Do non‑Muslims in the UK need to follow Ramadan timings?
No. But understanding them matters.
In workplaces, schools, hospitals, and public services, awareness of Ramadan helps colleagues support fasting Muslims—especially around meetings, physical work, and evening events.
One mistake UK Muslims make every Ramadan
They download a calendar once—and never check it again.
Moon sighting announcements can shift the start or end of Ramadan by a day. The safest habit is simple: confirm with your local mosque on the 29th night.
Halal food after Iftar in London
Ramadan nights in London don’t end at Maghrib. They move to restaurants, dessert spots, and late‑night cafés.
If you’re looking for reliable options, see our detailed guide to halal restaurants across the capital—covering Turkish, South Asian, Middle Eastern, and modern halal dining.
What this calendar really gives you
A Ramadan calendar isn’t about controlling time.
It’s about removing uncertainty—so you can focus on fasting, prayer, charity, and reflection instead of constantly checking the clock.
When Ramadan begins on a cold February evening in 2026, the calendar won’t just tell you when to eat.
It will quietly structure your days—until Eid arrives and the silence after Maghrib feels strange again.
