Hari Raya Aidilfitri & Aidiladha
Singapore's two great Islamic celebrations — what they mean, when they fall, how families celebrate, and how the public holiday is observed.
The two Hari Raya
Singaporean Muslims celebrate two major festivals:
- Hari Raya Aidilfitri — also called Hari Raya Puasa, marking the end of Ramadan. Falls on 1 Syawal.
- Hari Raya Aidiladha — also called Hari Raya Haji, commemorating the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son. Falls on 10 Dhul-Hijjah, during the Hajj season.
Upcoming dates
Dates below follow the MUIS Hijri calendar. Final dates are gazetted by the Ministry of Manpower after moon sighting.
- Hari Raya Aidilfitri 1447 AH — Friday, 20 March 2026
- Hari Raya Aidiladha 1447 AH — Wednesday, 27 May 2026
- Hari Raya Aidilfitri 1448 AH — Tuesday, 9 March 2027
- Hari Raya Aidiladha 1448 AH — Sunday, 16 May 2027
Hari Raya Aidilfitri — the day
The morning begins with Solat Aidilfitri, a congregational prayer at every mosque from around 7:45 AM. Families wear matching traditional outfits — baju kurung, baju Melayu, and kebaya in coordinated colours.
After prayer, the day is centred on:
- Salam-salaman — seeking and granting forgiveness from elders and family. Children kiss the hands of parents and elders.
- Ziarah — visiting graves of departed loved ones early in the day.
- Open house — homes are opened to relatives, neighbours, and friends of all faiths for the entire month of Syawal.
- Duit Raya — green packets of cash given by working adults to children and unmarried relatives.
Hari Raya food in Singapore
Festive tables typically include:
- Ketupat — rice cakes wrapped in woven palm leaves.
- Rendang — slow-cooked beef or chicken in spiced coconut.
- Sambal goreng, sayur lodeh, and satay.
- Kuih raya — pineapple tarts, kuih makmur, kuih bangkit, and many more.
Hari Raya Aidiladha — the day
Aidiladha falls on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, the day after the Day of Arafah — the high point of the Hajj pilgrimage. In Singapore, Muslims who can afford it participate in the korban (Qurban): the ritual sacrifice of a goat, sheep, cow or buffalo, with the meat distributed in three parts to the family, friends, and the needy.
MUIS coordinates Singapore's korban programme each year — Singaporeans can register and pay online, with livestock sacrificed in approved facilities in Australia or other countries, and meat distributed to recipients here and abroad.
Public holiday rules in Singapore
Both Hari Raya are gazetted public holidays under Singapore's Holidays Act. If the holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed as a public holiday in lieu. Employees required to work on a public holiday are entitled to an extra day's salary or a substitute day off.
Celebrating with neighbours
Singapore's multiracial culture means Hari Raya open houses welcome guests of every background. If you're invited to a Muslim friend's home:
- Dress modestly and consider wearing something festive.
- Greetings: "Selamat Hari Raya, maaf zahir dan batin" — Happy Hari Raya, forgive my outward and inner wrongs.
- Food served is halal. Pork and alcohol are never present.
- Removing shoes before entering the home is customary.
Plan your celebration
Track the countdown to the next Hari Raya on our live Hijri converter, and review Ramadan details to prepare for Aidilfitri.