In short
- Islamic holidays move each year; expect Ramadan 2027 to start around 8 February and Eid al-Adha around 17 May 2027 (moon-sighting dependent).
- Fixed public holidays include Labour Day (1 May), Independence Day (25 May) and Christmas Day (25 December).
- The Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts usually runs in July.
- During the Eid holidays, hotels at the Dead Sea, Aqaba and Wadi Rum fill with Jordanian and Gulf visitors.
Public holidays
| Date | Holiday | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year's Day | Fixed |
| ≈ 9–10 March 2027 | Eid al-Fitr | End of Ramadan; projected date, depends on moon sighting; the public holiday usually lasts several days |
| 1 May | Labour Day | Fixed |
| ≈ 16–19 May 2027 | Arafat Day & Eid al-Adha | Moon-sighting dependent |
| 25 May | Independence Day | Since 1946; flags, fireworks |
| ≈ 6 June 2027 | Islamic New Year (Hijri) | Approximate |
| ≈ 15 August 2027 | Prophet's Birthday (Mawlid) | Approximate |
| 25 December | Christmas Day | Public holiday |
Ramadan
In 2027, Ramadan is expected from about 8 February to 9 March. Muslims fast from dawn to sunset; non-Muslims should not eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight. Hotels and tourist restaurants still serve food, sites stay open (sometimes with shorter hours) and evenings are wonderful: families gather for iftar, sweet shops stay open late and streets are lit with lanterns. Travelling in Ramadan is perfectly possible and can be a highlight.
Christian feasts
Jordan's Christian communities (around 2–3 % of the population) celebrate Christmas (25 December for Western churches; Orthodox Christmas services on 7 January), Easter (Western and Orthodox dates) and Epiphany, when pilgrims gather at the Baptism Site. Madaba, Fuheis and Amman's churches are the focus.
Festivals and events
| When | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Usually July | Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts | Jerash ruins and Amman |
| Spring (varies) | Dead Sea Ultra Marathon | Amman to the Dead Sea road |
| Spring & autumn | Jordan Trail thru-hikes (2027 editions announced) | Umm Qais to Aqaba |
| Summer | Souk Jara street market | Rainbow Street area, Amman |
| Spring & autumn | Petra Desert Marathon / trail races (varies) | Petra and around |
| Year-round | Petra by Night (Sun–Thu) | Petra |
Independence Day and national occasions
On 25 May Jordan celebrates independence from the British mandate in 1946 with flags on every car, concerts and fireworks in Amman and other cities. Other national days, such as the King's accession (9 June) and Army Day, are marked with flags and parades but are not always public holidays; check the government announcement for the year.
Weekends and opening hours
The official weekend is Friday and Saturday. On Friday mornings many shops and markets are closed until after midday prayers, but tourist sites, hotels and restaurants operate normally. Government offices, banks and some museums close on Fridays.
2027 at a glance for travellers
| Period | What happens | Travel impact |
|---|---|---|
| January | New Year; Epiphany and Orthodox Christmas; pilgrims at the Baptism Site | Quiet elsewhere; cold highlands |
| ≈ 8 Feb–9 Mar | Ramadan (expected) | Quiet days, lively nights; shorter hours |
| ≈ 9–10 Mar | Eid al-Fitr (expected) | Busy Aqaba, Dead Sea, Wadi Rum |
| 28 Mar / 2 May | Western Easter / Orthodox Easter | Busy churches in Madaba and Amman; pilgrims |
| April | Peak spring season | Book Petra and Wadi Rum early |
| ≈ 16–17 May | Eid al-Adha (expected) | Very busy resorts and roads |
| 25 May | Independence Day | Flags, concerts, fireworks |
| July | Jerash Festival (usually) | Concerts in Roman theatres |
| July–August | Gulf and expatriate summer visitors | Busy Amman and Aqaba hotels |
| October–November | Autumn high season; olive harvest | Book ahead |
| 25 December | Christmas | Lights in Madaba, Fuheis and Amman |
Where to check event dates
The Jordan Tourism Board runs an events calendar site, Calendar.jo, alongside its main site; festival organisers announce programmes in spring. The Jordan Trail Association publishes its organised thru-hikes — it advertises spring 2027 and autumn 2027 thru-hike events on jordantrail.org. For sporting events such as Dead Sea and Petra races, check the organisers' websites, as dates change from year to year.
Travelling during Eid
Eid al-Fitr, at the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, the feast of the sacrifice, are the biggest family holidays of the year. Government offices and banks close for several days, many Jordanians travel, and Aqaba, the Dead Sea resorts and Wadi Rum fill with families. Prices rise and roads are busy, but the atmosphere is festive: families visit relatives, children wear new clothes and sweet shops overflow. If you travel then, book rooms and transport well ahead, expect some shops to close on the first day, and keep an eye on reduced opening hours at museums.
Religious festivals in more detail
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. The rhythm of the day changes: offices and shops open later and close earlier, traffic peaks just before sunset as people hurry home for iftar, and the streets fill again after dark. Many restaurants and cafés set up special Ramadan menus and tents; sweet shops sell qatayef, filled pancakes made only in this month. Visitors are welcome to join an iftar meal — many hotels and restaurants offer them.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan with family visits, new clothes for children and sweets; Eid al-Adha, about seventy days later, coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage and is the biggest holiday of the year, when families sacrifice an animal and share the meat. Both bring several days of public holidays. The Islamic New Year and the Prophet's Birthday are also public holidays.
Christian feasts are celebrated openly, especially in Madaba, Fuheis, Karak, Ajloun and parts of Amman: Christmas on 25 December is a public holiday, Easter is celebrated by both Western and Orthodox churches, and at Epiphany in January pilgrims gather at the Baptism Site on the Jordan River.
National days
Independence Day on 25 May is the main national celebration, with flags on cars and balconies, concerts and fireworks. Labour Day (1 May) is a public holiday. Other national occasions, such as the anniversary of the King's accession and Army Day in June, bring flags and ceremonies; some years they are marked by public holidays. Public holiday announcements are made by the government, sometimes shortly in advance.
The weekly rhythm
Jordan's weekend falls on Friday and Saturday. Thursday evening is when the weekend begins: restaurants, cafés and roads out of Amman get busy, and Dead Sea resorts and Wadi Rum camps fill up. Friday morning is quiet, with many shops closed until after the midday prayer; sites, hotels and restaurants stay open. Saturday is a normal shopping day for many, while Sunday is the first working day of the week. For travellers, weekdays are the best time to visit popular nature spots such as Wadi Mujib, Ajloun and the Dead Sea's public beaches.
What holidays mean for your trip
- Government offices and banks close on public holidays; shops may open late.
- During the Eids, book Aqaba, Dead Sea and Wadi Rum stays early and expect busier sites.
- Prices for resort hotels rise during Eid and Gulf school holidays.
- Independence Day (25 May) brings flag-waving parades and traffic in Amman.
Frequently asked questions
When is Ramadan 2027 in Jordan?
Expected roughly 8 February – 9 March 2027, depending on the sighting of the moon.
When is the Jerash Festival?
Usually in July; exact dates are announced each spring.
Is Jordan open during Ramadan?
Yes. Sites, hotels and tourist restaurants stay open; daytime is quieter and evenings are festive.
When is Independence Day in Jordan?
25 May, a public holiday since independence in 1946.
When is Eid al-Adha 2027?
Expected around 16–17 May 2027, depending on the moon sighting; public holidays usually last several days.
Is Christmas celebrated in Jordan?
Yes — 25 December is a public holiday, and Christian towns such as Madaba and Fuheis, as well as parts of Amman, decorate streets and hold services.
Are museums open during Eid?
Major archaeological sites usually open, but museums and government-run attractions may close on the first day of Eid or have shorter hours. Check locally.
Is Friday a bad day to travel in Jordan?
Not at all for sightseeing — sites open as usual. Just expect closed shops on Friday morning, more families at parks and beaches, and lighter traffic in Amman.
What is the Islamic New Year date in 2027?
Expected around 6 June 2027, depending on the moon sighting; it is a public holiday.
Are there festivals in Petra?
Petra by Night runs year-round from Sunday to Thursday; cultural events and races are held some years — check local listings.
Is it worth visiting Jordan during Eid?
Yes for the festive atmosphere, but book early: resorts, camps and transport are busy and prices rise, and some offices close for several days.
Sources and official information
Facts were checked against these official sources in November 2026. Opening hours, prices and timetables change, so confirm before you go.
JordanTravel.com is an independent guide, not the official site of the Jordan Tourism Board, the Government of Jordan or any operator. Some links are affiliate links: tours go to GetYourGuide and hotels go to Booking.com, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
