Eid al-Fitr
When is it celebrated
Eid al-Fitr, or Feast of the End of the Fast, begins on Shawwal 1, immediately after the month of Ramadan. As the Islamic calendar is lunar, its correspondence with the Gregorian calendar advances approximately every year and must be checked. Furthermore, religious determination may be linked to lunar observation. For 2026, the official work calendar set the holiday in Melilla on 20 March.
Is it a holiday or a working day?
In Melilla it is a public holiday of the autonomous city when it is incorporated into the official annual calendar: the BOE identifies it in 2026 as an autonomous community holiday for 20 March. It is then a non-working day, paid and non-recoverable in Melilla, not a general public holiday for all of Spain. Both its inclusion and the specific calendar date require verification every year.
Origin and geographical link
It is an Islamic religious holiday celebrated internationally by Muslim communities at the conclusion of Ramadan. This page refers specifically to Melilla, where the religious plurality of the city and the presence of a large Muslim community give the celebration a special social relevance and recognition in the regional work calendar.
Regular events
The day usually begins with cleanliness and neat or new clothes, breakfast after the end of the fast and the community prayer typical of Eid, celebrated in mosques or designated spaces. Afterwards, visits to family and friends, shared meals and gatherings in homes take place. Children often receive sweets, gifts or gratuities, and the usual greeting is "Eid Mubarak."
Usual duration of events
The work date in Melilla comprises a single day, as shown in the official calendar of 2026. In religious and family tradition, the festive atmosphere can encompass the first days of Shawwal; The municipal information itself describes a celebration of up to three days. Prayers, meals and visits are distributed according to family customs and each year's schedule.
Traditions and history
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the daytime fast of Ramadan and opens the month of Shawwal. Its meaning combines religious gratitude, prayer, coexistence and solidarity. Among the widespread customs are wearing new or special clothes, meeting to eat, visiting homes and giving gifts to minors. These practices take diverse family and cultural forms, so participants do not necessarily follow the same programme.
Where is it celebrated
It is celebrated in many countries and Muslim communities. In Melilla, religious events take place in mosques and in spaces that are set up for collective prayer, while a good part of the celebration continues in homes and spaces of coexistence. The specific locations and times must be consulted in the announcements of the religious entities and local authorities of each edition.
Who participates
The Muslim faithful of Melilla participate, complete families, mosque managers and community entities that coordinate prayers and meetings. Children have a prominent role in family gatherings and gifts. The Autonomous City intervenes in the recognition of the day within the work calendar and, together with the corresponding services, can collaborate in the organisation of public spaces.