Is it sunnah to visit relatives on Eid?

Family ties are a big deal in Islam

The Quran mentions the ties of the womb, meaning family relationships, right next to fearing Allah:

The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever would like his provision to be increased and his life to be extended should keep ties with his relatives (Sahih al-Bukhari 5986). He also said the real kinship-keeper is not the one who only returns visits, but the one who reaches out when relatives have cut him off (Sahih al-Bukhari 5991).

What's actually from the sunnah on Eid?

• Different routes: the Prophet ﷺ went to the Eid prayer one way and came back another (Sahih al-Bukhari 986). Scholars mention reasons such as greeting more people on the way.
• Congratulating each other: Companions used to greet one another after Eid with "Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum" (may Allah accept from us and from you), as reported in later collections.
• Joy and food: Eid is a day of eating, drinking and lawful fun, which naturally means being together.

So visiting family on Eid combines a confirmed duty (keeping ties) with the spirit of the day. Scholars call it a good custom, not a separate Eid ritual. For the full list of Eid sunnahs, see What sunnah acts should I do on Eid morning?

What if my family isn't Muslim?

Your non-Muslim parents, siblings and grandparents are still your relatives, and keeping good ties with them is part of your faith. Dropping by with sweets, a card or a small gift on Eid is a lovely way to show them that Islam made you a better son or daughter, not a stranger. See Should I visit my family during the holidays after becoming Muslim? You can also bring them to your celebration: Can I invite my non-Muslim family to Eid?

When you can't visit

Distance, work and tricky relationships are real. A phone or video call, a message or a parcel still counts as keeping ties. If a relationship is harmful, you can keep ties at a safe distance; Islam doesn't ask you to put yourself in danger.