If you’re asking yourself when Ramadan 2026 is in the USA, you’re not alone. Muslims throughout the nation and around the globe eagerly expect this holy month year after year. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. During it, people forgo food and drink during daylight hours and engage in prayerful reflection.

Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, the timing of Ramadan shifts each year. Ramadan 2026 will, Insha Allah, begin on the evening of Monday, February 17, with the first day of fasting on Wednesday, February 18. The month is expected to conclude on the evening of Thursday, 19th March 2026, depending on moon sighting.

Here’s everything you need to know about Ramadan 2026 in the USA—fasting hours, traditions, preparation tips, and community engagement.

What Is Ramadan?

It is the holy month for more than 1.8 billion Muslims across the globe. It’s a time to draw closer to God through fasting, prayer, and good deeds.

Muslims refrain from food and drink from sunrise (Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib) during Ramadan. They refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking (etc.). The fast instills patience, gratitude, and self-control. It is also time to show solidarity with the poor and share blessings.

Fasting is a pillar of Islam, making it one of the pillars of the Muslim faith. The month closes with Eid al-Fitr, a joyous festival celebrating the breaking of the silence.

When Is Ramadan 2026 in USA?

Since the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, Ramadan moves in advance approximately 10–11 days every year. Any such date is based on the sighting of the new crescent moon.

For the year 2026, Ramadan is expected to start on Tuesday, the 17th of February, at sundown. The first day of the fast, Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

The month is expected to last 29 or 30 days. It should thus conclude on or around Thursday, 19 March 2026, marking the commencement of ‘Eid al-Fitr practice on Friday, 20 March 2026.

Final dates could change by a day, give or take, depending on the moon sighting in your area.

Why Ramadan Dates Change Each Year

The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, whereas the Gregorian calendar is based on the position of the sun. The moon’s not a perfect circle, and each month starts with the discovery of a thin sliver, but you get it.

As a result, Ramadan gets 10 to 11 days earlier each year. So, that means Ramadan can span different seasons in different years—sometimes in the winter, sometimes in the summer.

In 2026, it will mostly be during the late winter for the USA, so there will be shorter fasting hours compared to summer months.

How Muslims in the USA Observe Ramadan

Ramadan is a month of deep spirituality and religious commitment that builds faith and community. Throughout the USA, Muslims celebrate in ways that are a mix of devotion and unity.

• This is what you’d typically see during Ramadan:
• Fasting (Sawm): Muslims fast daily from sunrise to sunset.
• Prayer (Salah): Many people add extra prayers in general, especially at night.
• Quran Reading Muslims read the Quran in its entirety during Ramadan.
• Charity (Zakat and Sadaqah): Giving to the needy, community, or for a social cause.
• Community Iftar: Mosques and organizations have communal meals to break the fast together.

And Ramadan offers a kind of peace, a sense of belonging even in a fast-moving country like the United States.

The Daily Routine During Ramadan

A typical Ramadan day starts and ends with worship, fasting, and family time. Here’s what a day looks like:

• Suhoor (Pre-dawn Meal): A light meal preceding the Fajr (dawn) prayer.
• The dawn prayer marks the start of the fasting period.
• Day: Muslims fast but go about their daily routine (except for those who are exempt from fasting), such as attending school and work. Some take breaks to read the Quran or meditate.
• Iftar (Breaking the Fast): Muslims break their silence once the sun has set, usually with dates and water before a meal.
• Maghrib & Isha Prayers: Evening prayers are offered, followed by Tarawih, a special evening prayer preceding Ramadhan.

Every infringement—eating less, giving more, and praying more intensely—signals spiritual advancement.

How Long Are the Fasts During Ramadan 2026 in the USA?

The hours of fasting are calculated by sunrise and sunset times, which fluctuate in different regions.

• In New York City, fasting could be up to about 13 hours in February.
• In Chicago, it might be about 12.5 hours.
• In Houston, about 12 hours.
• Fasting in Los Angeles lasts about 12 hours and 15 minutes.

With the days getting longer in March, fasting will increase gradually into late March. Consult the timetable on page 40 for specific times.

The Importance of Charity During Ramadan

Charity is a major part of Ramadan. Muslims believe that blessings multiply when they charity, which is a big part of Ramadan. Muslims understand blessings increase when they aid others, especially this holy month.

Almsgiving during Ramadan comes in two basic forms:

1. Zakat: A compulsory annual contribution of 2.5 percent of savings to aid the poor.
2. Sadaqah: Voluntary charity that can be given at any time and in any amount.

In the USA, countless Muslims give willingly through credible organizations like SPAR Project; we are providing food, clothing, and support to helpless families. The more you give, the closer communities are and the love and care spread.

Laylat al-Qadr—The Night of Power

During the last 10 nights of Ramadan, Muslims search for Laylat al-Qadr—“The Night of Power.” It is considered the night of the first revelation to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) of the Quran.

This night is better than a thousand months of Ibadah. Muslims take time to pray, read the Quran, and seek forgiveness.

It’s believed that Laylat al-Qadr will likely occur on one of the odd nights in the last 10 days, also known as the 27th night of Ramadan by astronomical calculations, which is believed to be Sunday, March 16.

Preparing for Ramadan 2026

Preparation helps you get the best out of this blessed month. Here’s how to get ready:

Set Your Intentions

Clarify the intention of your goal—for worship, good conduct, and closeness to Allah (God).

Organize Your Schedule

Change your eating and sleeping pattern for Suhoor and Iftar. Organize prayer and Quran recitation nights daily.

Eat Balanced Meals

Opt for healthy, energy-keeping foods—fruits, soups, lentils, and whole grains. Avoid overeating at Iftar.

Get Involved

Become a part of your mosque or charity. Attend community iftars, food drives, or fundraisers.

Strengthen Relationships

He tells us to forgive others, reconnect with loved ones, and scatter seeds of kindness. Ramadan is a time for solidarity and mercy.

The more you ready yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually, the more valuable this month will be.

How the USA Embraces Ramadan

As the Muslim population increases, Ramadan has become more visible in American culture. Cities—New York, Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and more—hold public iftar events and community drives.

Schools and businesses are setting aside time for praying Muslims or giving them a break during the day.

Some even show up at iftar gatherings, held to educate people about the purpose of the month and to promote interfaith understanding and community peace.

What to Expect After Ramadan: Eid al-Fitr

Eid Al-Fitr, the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” follows Ramadan. It’s one of the happiest days of the year!

On the morning of Eid, Muslims will go to a mosque or an outdoor field for a special prayer. They don new clothes, exchange greetings of “Eid Mubarak,” and eat beautiful food with family and friends.

Children get presents, and families visit each other and celebrate at community events. It is a day of rejoicing and thanksgiving after a month of devotion.

Tips for Non-Muslims During Ramadan

If you have Muslims as neighbors, colleagues, or classmates, Ramadan is an ideal period to reach out and make new friends. Here’s how you can make the gesture:

• If you can, avoid eating and drinking in front of someone who is fasting.
• Attend an iftar to learn about the culture and values associated with fasting.
• Be understanding if your friend or co-worker seems worn out — fasting can be frustrating.
• Extend greetings: “Ramadan Mubarak” or “Happy Ramadan,” as others should extend to you.

Simple things, like a kind gesture, can help foster respect and harmony.

Final Thought: A Month of Reflection and Renewal

Now you know when Ramadan 2026 is in the USA—approximately Feb 17, 2026, to Mar 19, 2026. But Ramadan is more than just dates; it is also a time of spiritual renewal, thanks, and giving.

It’s a month that encourages us to slow down, count our blessings, and assist those who are less privileged. Fast or not, if you’re exposed to Ramadan’s teachings, they are powerful: compassion, peace, and self-improvement.

And so, as for Ramadan 2026, ready your heart and your home. Accept its lessons, convey your blessings, and make this month of faith fruitful for you and others.