Ramadan Start 2026, Canada

The holy month of Ramadan is one of the most sacred periods in the Islamic Calendar. It commemorates when the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims observe Ramadan by fasting, praying, and seeking the blessings of Allah.

Is Ramadan Start a Public Holiday?

Ramadan Start is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.

When Is Ramadan in Canada?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims in Canada and around the world.

The Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, so the start of Ramadan shifts to around 10 to 11 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar. Over time, this shift allows Ramadan to fall in every season, from the long summer days to the shorter daylight hours of winter in northern Canada.

The beginning of Ramadan is determined either through local Moon sightings or by using astronomical calculations, depending on the preferences of different Muslim communities. Since these methods can sometimes produce different results, the start date may vary by one day between communities.

Ramadan begins with the first sighting of the Waxing Crescent Moon, the very slim crescent that appears just after New Moon. The month lasts 29 or 30 days, ending with the sighting of the next Waxing Crescent Moon, which marks the start of Shawwal, the tenth month in the Islamic calendar, and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.

What’s Open, What’s Closed?

Ramadan is not a public holiday in Canada, so schools and businesses generally remain open.

However, Muslim employees and students may request accommodations, such as flexible hours, space for prayer, or time off for religious observance, which are protected under the Canadian human rights laws.

While public life continues as usual, some Muslim-owned businesses or organizations may adjust their hours during Ramadan. There can also be heavier traffic around mosques during prayer times, especially in the evenings.

How Do Muslims in Canada Observe Ramadan?

Ramadan is widely observed across Canada by the country’s diverse Muslim population. Common practices include:

• Eating suhoor before dawn. This pre-dawn meal is eaten before the morning prayer (Fajr) to help sustain the fast until sunset.
• Fasting from dawn until sunset, abstaining from food, drink, smoking, and sexual activity.
• Breaking the fast at sunset with a meal known as iftar. Dates and water are traditionally consumed first, followed by a larger meal that varies by culture and region.
• Going to special nighttime prayers that take place after the Isha prayer, the fifth and final daily prayer that is performed year-round after Maghrib (sunset).
• Giving to charity, including voluntary donations (sadaqah) and, for those who are eligible, obligatory almsgiving (zakat).
• Reciting the Qur’an, with many aiming to complete it over the course of the month.
• Attending community iftars, organized by several mosques across Canada, these events are open to both Muslims and non-Muslims, and aim to foster interfaith understanding and cultural exchange.

Learn more about Ramadan fasting

Timing the Fast in Canada

Because fasting runs from dawn to sunset, the length of the daily fast varies depending on daylight hours in each region. In Canada—especially in northern areas where days can be very long or very short—Muslims may follow one of several methods commonly recommended by scholars to determine fasting times, such as:

• Following a set timetable used by their local mosque or a recognized Islamic authority.
• Using the schedule of the nearest city with more moderate daylight hours.
• Adopting a fixed fasting duration (often around 12–16 hours) to reflect an average day.
• In some cases, following the fasting times of a reference location, such as Mecca.

Most Muslims follow the guidance of their local mosque or religious authority when choosing a method.

Sunrise and sunset times in your location

Who Is Exempt from Ramadan Fasting?

Some people are not required to fast during Ramadan due to the risks it may pose to their health or well-being. Exemptions include:

• children
• the elderly
• menstruating, pregnant, postpartum, and nursing women
• travelers
• individuals who are ill
• anyone whose physical or mental health would be harmed by fasting

What Happens at the End of Ramadan?

Ramadan concludes with Eid al-Fitr, a significant Islamic holiday celebrated through communal prayers, festive meals, and the exchange of gifts.

In Canada, Eid is celebrated with large gatherings in mosques, parks, and community halls. Although it is not a statutory holiday, some schools and workplaces may grant leave for observance.

About Ramadan Start in Other Countries

Note: Regional customs or Moon sightings may cause a variation of the date for Islamic holidays, which begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday. The Islamic calendar is lunar and the days begin at sunset, so there may be one-day error depending on when the Crescent Moon is first seen.

While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.