When is Eid 2024 in the US? What to know as Ramadan ends

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What is Eid-al-Fitr and how is the Muslim holiday celebrated?

As Ramadan comes to a close, the Muslim world prepares for the annual holiday of Eid-al-Fir, which translates to “the festival of breaking the fast.”

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Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, is coming to an end, bringing with it Eid al-Fitr, or "the feast of fast-breaking."

Ramadan follows the lunar cycle, and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr is dependent on the sighting of the crescent moon, which affects which day Eid is celebrated.

Because the start of the holiday depends on when the new moon is seen, Eid al-Fitr begins at a different time for different countries. It’s expected to begin on the evening of April 9 and be celebrated on Wednesday, April 10.

Here's what to know about Eid, including what it is and when it's celebrated.

What is Eid al-Fitr?

Eid al-Fitr marks the first day Muslims return to their regular lifestyles. In fact, it's forbidden to fast on this day.

"God has given us that one special day for us to celebrate our ability to get through that one month," Khalid Mozaffar, director of communications and outreach at the American Islamic Association, told USA TODAY. 

When is Eid al-Fitr 2024 in the United States?

Eid al-Fitr expected to begin on the evening of Tuesday, April 9, and be celebrated on Wednesday, April 10, in the United States

What do Muslims do on Eid al-Fitr?

The Eid prayer is a cornerstone of celebration. Muslims will congregate in their local mosques in the early hours of the first day of Eid to perform this prayer.

Muslims are also obligated to pay Zakat al-Fitr, a mandatory charity of food that must be given before the Eid prayer.

Every Muslim who can afford to do so is required to donate what is roughly a plate of food.