What's on in Medina (Madinah), Saudi Arabia through the year

Busy — Ramadan, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it

• Rule

  Central Medina is closed to non-Muslims

  1 Jan – 31 DecClosures

  The area around the Prophet's Mosque is restricted to Muslims and the checkpoints on the ring roads enforce it. Non-Muslim visitors can see the outskirts and the outlying sites only. Source ↗

• Holiday

  Ramadan

  25 Jan – 25 Mar · usuallyCrowdedBook early

  The busiest month of the Medina year by a wide margin: Umrah pilgrims fill the city, the mosque courtyards are laid out for iftar every evening, and rooms near the Haram are booked far ahead. Source ↗

Busy — Ramadan, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Central Medina is closed to non-Muslims (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Ramadan (25 Jan – 25 Mar (usually))

Peak crowds — Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr

• Holiday

  Eid al-Fitr

  1 Mar – 15 Apr · usuallyRamadan & EidCrowdedClosuresBook early

  The last ten nights and Eid itself are the peak of the peak; crowd control around the Haram runs to timed entry and the walk in from the hotels takes far longer than the map suggests. Source ↗

Still on: Central Medina is closed to non-Muslims (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Ramadan (25 Jan – 25 Mar (usually))

Peak crowds — Eid al-Fitr, Hajj season

• Season

  Hajj season

  25 Apr – 10 Jun · usuallyPilgrimage seasonCrowdedBook early

  Most pilgrims add Medina either side of the Hajj in Mecca, so the city takes two waves several weeks apart. Flights and hotels through this window are priced accordingly. Source ↗

Still on: Central Medina is closed to non-Muslims (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Eid al-Fitr (1 Mar – 15 Apr (usually))

Busy — Hajj season, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Season

  The desert summer

  20 May – 20 Sep · usuallyExtreme heat

  Dry heat with no shade on the approach to the Haram, and the marble courtyards throw it back at you. The mosque runs misting fans and the crowds move at night.

Still on: Central Medina is closed to non-Muslims (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Hajj season (25 Apr – 10 Jun (usually))

Busy — Hajj season, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in June.

Still on: Central Medina is closed to non-Muslims (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Hajj season (25 Apr – 10 Jun (usually)), The desert summer (20 May – 20 Sep (usually))

Quiet — school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Central Medina is closed to non-Muslims (1 Jan – 31 Dec), The desert summer (20 May – 20 Sep (usually))

Quiet — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

• Nature

  Date harvest

  15 Aug – 15 Oct · usually

  The palm groves round the city are picked and the date market fills with the season's Ajwa, which is what most pilgrims take home. Prices are lowest right at the harvest.

Still on: Central Medina is closed to non-Muslims (1 Jan – 31 Dec), The desert summer (20 May – 20 Sep (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Central Medina is closed to non-Muslims (1 Jan – 31 Dec), The desert summer (20 May – 20 Sep (usually)), Date harvest (15 Aug – 15 Oct (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Central Medina is closed to non-Muslims (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Date harvest (15 Aug – 15 Oct (usually))

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in November.

Still on: Central Medina is closed to non-Muslims (1 Jan – 31 Dec)

Busy — school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Central Medina is closed to non-Muslims (1 Jan – 31 Dec)