Although there are variables that make determining the specific date difficult, Eid al-Adha 2024 is expected to fall on June 17.
Eid al-Adha commemorates the Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail (peace be upon them) — specifically, their obedience to God. As part of the tradition to commemorate them, Muslims at this time sacrifice certain kinds of livestock (typically a sheep or cow) and distribute fresh meat to the poor both near them and around the world. This practice, called udhiyah (also known as qurbani), occurs on the morning of Eid al-Adha, which falls during Hajj season.
Eid al-Adha 2024: Understanding the basics of the Islamic calendar
Hajj falls in the Islamic calendar month of Dhul-Hijjah, which is named in reference to the pilgrimage itself. Exactly when Eid al-Adha falls each year is in part determined by when Saudi Arabia announces the schedule for Hajj.
Some scholars use a method of calculation to determine when Dhul-Hijjah 2024 (or any month) will begin — well in advance — based on patterns of the moon’s orbit around the earth and more. The Muslim tradition, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) established, is to sight each of the 12 lunar months’ new crescents with the naked eye in the western sky immediately after sunset.
Similar to Eid al-Fitr, it is still too early to definitively say when Eid al-Adha 2024 will be. However, because of the difference in how many days are in an Islamic calendar year and the Gregorian calendar year, the events of the Islamic calendar year typically occur 11 days earlier each Gregorian year.
For example, some mosques have already announced Eid al-Adha will fall on June 28, 2023. Because the Hijri (Islamic) year is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year, it is reasonable to expect Eid al-Adha 2024 to fall on June 17.
As always, God knows best.
See also: When is Ramadan 2024?
