Id Ul-Alha 2026, 2027 and 2028
Islam is the third largest religion in Sri Lanka and the religion’s most holy festival day, Id Ul-Alha, is a national public holiday. Around 10 percent of the population of Sri Lanka is Muslim.
In 2026, Id Ul-Alha falls on Thursday 28 May. The holiday will be on Monday 17 May in 2027.
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 28 May | Thu | Id Ul-Alha |
| 2027 | 17 May | Mon | Id Ul-Alha |
| 2028 | 5 May | Fri | Id Ul-Alha |
| Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates. | |||
For Id Ul-Alha, Sri Lanka’s Muslims will generally attend a local mosque or a public prayer session. They will hear a sermon often related to how Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his son Ishmael at Allah’s command. Allah ultimately provided a goat that replaced Ishmael as the sacrifice.
Some who have are financially and physically able may go on Hajj Pilgrimage to Mecca to model the Prophet Muhammad and commemorate Ibrahim’s faith.
However the pilgrimage to Mecca is generally a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and most Sri Lankan Muslims will stay home and sacrifice an animal, then feast on its meat with family. A third of the meat is kept by the immediate family, a third is given to friends, neighbours, or relatives, and a third is donated to the needy who can’t afford their own Id Ul-Alha feast.
Previous Years
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 Jun | Sat | Id Ul-Alha |
| 2024 | 17 Jun | Mon | Id Ul-Alha |