Most years do not have major Muslim holidays in December because Islamic holidays follow the Hijri lunar calendar, which shifts 10–12 days earlier each year.
However, depending on the year, certain Islamic observances or community-specific events may fall in December.
In this guide you will find the what to expect each year, and which Islamic dates can occur in the month of December.
Do Muslims Have Holidays in December?
No major global Muslim holidays—such as Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha—regularly fall in December.
Because the Islamic (Hijri) calendar is lunar and shorter than the Gregorian calendar, Islamic holidays move through all months over a 33-year cycle.
Some years will have minor Islamic observances in December depending on moon-sighting and the current Hijri month.
Why Muslim Holidays Rarely Fall in December
- Islamic calendar = 354 or 355 days
- Gregorian calendar = 365 or 366 days
- This creates a 10–12 day yearly shift
- Result: Islamic holidays rotate through every month, including December only occasionally
So even if an Eid falls in December once, the next year it will shift into November, then October, and so on.
Major Muslim Holidays & Why They Don’t Stay in December
Here are the major Islamic holidays and why December seldom includes them:
1. Eid al-Fitr
Marks the end of Ramadan.
Moves earlier by ~10 days yearly → rarely matches December.
2. Eid al-Adha
Comes 70 days after Eid al-Fitr.
Also shifts yearly → may fall in December once every few decades only.
3. Islamic New Year (Muharram 1)
Moves through all seasons, including December occasionally.
4. Mawlid an-Nabi
The Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (observed in some countries).
Also rotates through the entire Gregorian calendar.
What Islamic Dates Can Fall in December?
Depending on the year, December may include:
- Days within Jumada al-Awwal
- Days within Jumada al-Thani
- Days within Rajab (approaching a sacred month)
- Community-specific observances, such as Shia remembrance dates
These months generally do not include universal public holidays, but they hold spiritual significance.
How to Know if December Has a Muslim Holiday
The only accurate way is to check:
- A Hijri/Gregorian conversion calendar
- Your local mosque or Islamic authority
- A reliable online Islamic date calculator
Because moon-sighting may vary by region, dates can differ by 1 day.
Conclusion
Most years do not include major Muslim holidays in December, but December can still align with various Islamic months or community observances depending on the Hijri calendar.
If you need accurate Islamic dates for December each year, the best approach is to check a current Islamic calendar, since lunar months shift annually.
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