Why 2030 Will Have Two Ramadans – And Why It Won’t Happen Again Until 2063

For the rest of us, Ramadan arrives once a year—a time of fasting, contemplation, and spiritual rejuvenation. But 2030: something unusual will happen: two Ramadans in one year.

Double fasting, double suhoors, double iftars—and double the history, because this won't happen again until 2063.

If we want to know why there is yet another Ramadan in 2030, then we have to discuss the lunar calendar upon which Islam is based for religious purposes. While the Gregorian calendar is still 365 days stuck (except for leap years), the Hijri calendar is short by some 10 to 12 days and goes for 354 or 355 days.

This causes the Islamic months to lag behind by an average of 10 days annually relative to the solar year. Over a period of decades, this slow drift causes the Ramadan period to occur in either summer or winter.

In 2030, though, the heavenly bodies (i.e., the moon) all conspire to start Ramadan twice:

- First Ramadan → Should begin on Jan. 4, 2030, and conclude on Feb. 2, 2030.
- Second Ramadan → Should begin again on Dec. 26, 2030, and carry over into 2031.

Since Ramadan is around 29–30 days long, and the Islamic calendar is shorter than the Gregorian calendar, it's quite uncommon that this occurs. When last did it occur? 1997. Next time? 2063.

For us who notice, it's fasting twice in two alternating seasons—but not back-to-back. It's living through two Ramadans:
- First Ramadan in winter (shorter fast days, milder temperatures).
- Second Ramadan on the threshold of the year, beginning 2031.

It's a taste of yesteryear, a reminder how time slips away differently in the lunar calendar, and a rare chance for some additional reflection, devotion, and congregational prayer.

The Next Time This Occurs? 2063.

Miss it in 2030? You'll be left wondering 33 years before another year goes by with two Ramadans. The occurrence is uncommon, periodic, and proof of how the lunar calendar always wanders through the years.

As we come to this decade-once-a-decade juncture, you can count on one thing: 2030 will be a Ramadan to remember. Twice.