Is Eid a public holiday in the US or UK?
No, Eid is not a national public holiday in the US or the UK. Neither Eid al-Fitr nor Eid al-Adha is a federal holiday or a bank holiday. But many schools and employers now recognize Eid, and in both countries you have legal protection to ask for the day off.
The United States
Eid is not one of the federal holidays, so banks, post offices and most offices stay open. Things are changing locally, though. New York City public schools have closed for both Eids since 2015, and a growing number of school districts in states such as New Jersey, Michigan and Minnesota now close on Eid or mark it as an excused absence. New York City also suspends alternate-side parking rules on Eid.
At work, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act requires employers to make a reasonable accommodation for religious practice unless it causes undue hardship. In practice, that usually means you can take a vacation day, swap a shift or work flexible hours. See How do I ask my employer for Eid off?
The United Kingdom
Eid is not a bank holiday in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. Schools in areas with large Muslim communities, such as parts of Birmingham, Bradford, Leicester and East London, often give an INSET day or treat Eid as an authorised absence. Elsewhere, parents usually write to the head teacher in advance. See Can I miss school for Eid?
The Equality Act 2010 protects employees from discrimination because of religion. Your employer doesn't have to give extra paid leave, but they should consider a request to use annual leave for Eid fairly, just as they would for Christmas.
Why the date makes it tricky
Eid follows the lunar Islamic calendar, so it moves about 11 days earlier each year, and the exact day often isn't confirmed until the night before, when the new moon is sighted. This is one reason governments and companies haven't fixed it in the calendar. Ask for the day off with a note that it may shift by one day.
Where Eid is a public holiday in Europe
If you live in or visit the Balkans, things look different. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and Kosovo all have Eid as an official public holiday, and Turkey gives several days off for both festivals. Many Muslim-majority countries treat Eid as their biggest national holiday of the year.
- Eid is not a federal holiday in the US or a bank holiday in the UK.
- Many US school districts and some UK schools now close or excuse absence for Eid.
- US law (Title VII) and UK law (Equality Act 2010) protect your right to request time off.
- The date moves each year and may change by a day, so tell people early.
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