Ramadan 2026 in UK: Dates, Times & London Fasting Hours

Ramadan 2026 in the United Kingdom begins Wednesday, February 18, 2026 and ends around March 19-20, 2026. Fasting hours in the UK will be approximately 11-13 hours, gradually increasing as days lengthen from late February through March.

The relatively short fasting hours make Ramadan 2026 one of the easier Ramadans for UK Muslims compared to summer Ramadans when fasts can exceed 18-19 hours. The month falls during late winter, so weather will be cold but daylight hours are manageable.

UK mosques and Islamic organizations typically follow either Saudi Arabia’s announcement, Morocco’s announcement, or local UK moon sighting. Check with your local mosque for their specific methodology.

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Ramadan 2026 Dates for UK

Event	Date	Day
First day of Ramadan	February 18, 2026	Wednesday
Clocks change (GMT→BST)	March 29, 2026*	Sunday
Last 10 Nights begin	March 9, 2026	Monday
Eid al-Fitr	March 20 or 21, 2026	Friday/Saturday

Note: Clock change occurs after Ramadan ends in 2026, so all of Ramadan is in GMT.

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Fasting Times by UK City (First Day - Feb 18)

City	Fajr (Suhoor ends)	Maghrib (Iftar)	Fasting Hours
London	5:30 AM	5:15 PM	~11.8 hours
Birmingham	5:35 AM	5:20 PM	~11.8 hours
Manchester	5:40 AM	5:20 PM	~11.7 hours
Leeds	5:40 AM	5:15 PM	~11.6 hours
Glasgow	5:55 AM	5:20 PM	~11.4 hours
Edinburgh	5:50 AM	5:15 PM	~11.4 hours
Cardiff	5:40 AM	5:25 PM	~11.8 hours
Bradford	5:40 AM	5:15 PM	~11.6 hours

Times are approximate. Northern UK cities have slightly shorter fasts in February but catch up by March.

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Fasting Hours Throughout Ramadan 2026

Period	London	Scotland
Early Ramadan (Feb 18-28)	11-12 hours	11-12 hours
Mid-Ramadan (Mar 1-10)	12-13 hours	12-13 hours
Late Ramadan (Mar 11-20)	12-13 hours	12-14 hours

By the end of Ramadan, fasting hours will have increased by approximately 1.5-2 hours compared to the start.

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UK Ramadan Resources

• Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) - National announcements
• East London Mosque - Major London mosque, timetables available
• Green Lane Masjid (Birmingham) - Midlands community
• Manchester Central Mosque - North West community
• Local mosques - Check your community for specific timetables

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Ramadan in Britain: Practical Considerations

Workplace rights: UK employers must consider reasonable adjustments for fasting employees under the Equality Act 2010. This can include flexible break times, permission for Jummah prayer, and time off for Eid. ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) publishes guidance for employers on supporting fasting staff.

School policies: Many UK schools with significant Muslim populations adjust PE schedules and exam timetables during Ramadan. Parents should inform schools about fasting children and any Eid absences. The Department for Education recognises Eid as a valid reason for authorised absence.

NHS & fasting: The NHS publishes annual Ramadan health guidance for fasting patients. Muslims taking regular medication should consult their GP before Ramadan — many medications can be adjusted to twice-daily dosing (suhoor and iftar) rather than three times daily. Diabetic patients should discuss fasting safety with their specialist.

Halal food & iftar: The UK has one of Europe’s largest halal food industries. Supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Asda stock dedicated Ramadan ranges. Many mosques, including East London Mosque and Birmingham Central Mosque, serve free community iftars throughout the month.

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Related Questions

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Last updated: February 3, 2026