When to go for Umrah in late 2026 and 2027: Hijri dates for 1448, school holidays, Ramadan, the pre-Hajj closure and restart, and prices by period.
Planning your pilgrimage for late 2026 or 2027? This season's calendar has a twist that few agencies explain: France's February school holidays fall inside Ramadan for all three zones, and the April 2027 spring holidays are expected to fall during the pre-Hajj Umrah pause. This guide goes month by month through the key dates of the Hijri year 1448, the school holidays, crowd and price levels, and the expected dates when the season stops and restarts around Hajj 2027. All Hijri dates follow Saudi Arabia's Umm al-Qura calendar and are subject to the moon sighting.
Hijri year 1448: the dates that matter for Umrah
Approximate dates, Umm al-Qura calendar
Umrah in 2026: the last departures of the year
It is not too late to travel in 2026. November and the first half of December are among the calmest and cheapest periods of the year: the autumn half-term rush is over, daytime temperatures in Makkah drop to around 30°C, and hotels near the Haram lower their rates. The Christmas holidays (19 December 2026 to 4 January 2027 in France) coincide this year with the start of Rajab (around 11 December), a sacred month in which many Gulf pilgrims also travel, so book early. To compare year-end departures, see our December Umrah packages and departures from France. Travelling in December or January? Read our guide to Umrah in Rajab 1448.
Umrah in 2027: month by month
January 2027: quiet, then Sha'ban
Once the Christmas holidays end, the first half of January is one of the best windows of the year for an affordable trip. Sha'ban begins around 9–10 January, and demand rises steadily as Ramadan approaches. See our January departures.
February to early March 2027: Ramadan Umrah
Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin on Monday 8 February 2027, with Eid al-Fitr on 9 or 10 March. France's winter holidays fall wholly or largely inside the month: zone C from 6 to 22 February, zone A from 13 February to 1 March and zone B from 20 February to 8 March, which covers the last ten nights. This is the most sought-after and most expensive part of the season: late-February flights and hotels facing the Haram sell out from the autumn. See our Ramadan Umrah 2027 page. All the expected dates are in our article on Ramadan 2027 dates in France.
Mid-March to April 2027: the window closes
Every year Saudi Arabia pauses the pilgrimage for international visitors a few weeks before Hajj. In 2026, Umrah visas stopped being issued on 19 March, the last entry date was 2 April and all pilgrims had to leave by 18 April. Because the Hijri calendar moves about eleven days earlier each year, expect the last entry around the end of March 2027 and a departure deadline in early April. The practical consequence: France's 2027 spring holidays (zone C 3–19 April, zone A 10–26 April, zone B 17 April–3 May) are expected to fall during the pause. If you were aiming for a spring trip, move it to the end of Ramadan or just after Eid, or push it to the summer.
May 2027: Hajj season, no Umrah
Dhul Hijjah begins around 7 May, the Day of Arafah is expected around 15 May and Eid al-Adha around 16 May 2027. Only pilgrims with a Hajj visa can enter Makkah during this period.
June to August 2027: restart and summer Umrah
In 2026 the season restarted around 10–11 June. In 2027 the restart is expected around late May or early June, with the Hijri new year 1449 around 6 June. Summer suits families (French summer holidays start on 3 July 2027), but temperatures often pass 40°C, so plan Tawaf at night or early in the morning. See our summer Umrah packages.
September to October 2027: the best season returns
After the back-to-school period crowds drop, and temperatures start to fall from late September. The autumn half-term will again be a peak for families: as in 2026, book over the summer.
Which period suits you best?
- On a budget: November, early December 2026, the first half of January 2027, or June 2027 just after the restart. Standard off-season packages from France were priced at roughly €1,100 to €1,900 in October 2026, based on our survey of French offers. - For the greatest reward: Ramadan, especially the last ten nights (from the evening of 27 February). Expect €2,000 and up, and book now. Compare prices on our Umrah prices page. - Families with school-age children: Christmas 2026, the February 2027 holidays (bearing in mind it is Ramadan) or summer 2027. Don't count on the spring 2027 holidays. - A calm first trip: November or January, when Tawaf is uncrowded and hotels near the Haram are affordable. Our best time for Umrah page compares every season. For a full budget, see our guide to Umrah prices from France.
Visa and booking: what changes with the date
French nationals can perform Umrah on the Saudi tourist e-visa, valid for one year with multiple entries. The Umrah permit is booked free of charge in the Nusuk app for a specific time slot; slots fill quickly as Ramadan approaches, so book yours as soon as your flights are confirmed. Remember the meningitis (ACWY) vaccine, which must be given at least ten days before you travel. For a trip in late March, check the entry deadline announced by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah before buying tickets. Every step is explained in our guide to the Umrah visa from France.
Frequently asked questions
When does Umrah restart in 2027?
After Hajj. In 2026 it restarted around 10–11 June; in 2027 it is expected around late May or early June. The official date is announced by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and on Nusuk.
Can I perform Umrah during the April 2027 school holidays?
Probably not. If Saudi Arabia follows the same pattern as in 2026, pilgrims will have to leave the country in early April 2027, before France's spring holidays begin in any zone.
What is the cheapest time for Umrah in 2026–27?
November and early December 2026, then the first half of January 2027: outside the school holidays and well away from Ramadan.
When should I book a Ramadan 2027 Umrah?
Now, ideally before the end of November 2026, especially for the last ten nights and during the February school holidays.
Browse our Umrah packages.
Yuusr.com helps pilgrims from the UK, Europe, North America and around the world compare and book Umrah with ease: flights, hotels near the two Holy Mosques, transfers and guidance on Nusuk and the rites.