Ramadan 2027 marketing plan: a 12-week guide for Saudi Arabia and the GCC
The short answer
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on or around Monday 8 February 2027, with Eid al-Fitr around 9 or 10 March, based on the Umm Al-Qura calendar. Final dates depend on the moon sighting. For paid campaigns, start planning about 12 weeks ahead, in mid-November: set budgets in November, finish Arabic creative by mid-January, and test and launch before the month begins.
Key points
- Expected dates: Ramadan from about 8 February 2027, Eid al-Fitr about 9 or 10 March.
- Start planning in mid-November 2026, about 12 weeks ahead.
- Plan three phases: the start of the month, the middle weeks, and the last ten days before Eid.
- Write Arabic creative for the season itself, not translated from English.
- Check WhatsApp costs: service messages are charged beyond the free allowance since 1 October 2026.
When is Ramadan 2027?
Ramadan 2027 (1448 AH) is expected to start on Monday 8 February 2027, according to the Umm Al-Qura calendar used in Saudi Arabia. Eid al-Fitr is expected on 9 or 10 March, depending on the moon sighting. These are calculated dates: the official start is confirmed by the moon sighting, so it can move by a day. Build your plan around the calculated dates and keep launch dates flexible by one or two days.
What changes for marketers during Ramadan?
Daily routines shift. Working hours are shorter, evenings run later, and families spend more time together after iftar. That changes when people browse, watch and shop, so the hours your ads run and your replies arrive matter more than usual. Giving, family and generosity become central themes. The last ten days bring Eid shopping for clothes, gifts and sweets.
Plan your daily ad schedule and customer-service hours around iftar and late evenings, not normal office hours.
What does a 12-week Ramadan timeline look like?
- Weeks 12 to 9 (mid-November to early December): research and budget. Review last Ramadan’s results, choose your offers, and agree the budget for each phase.
- Weeks 8 to 5 (December to mid-January): creative. Write and shoot Arabic creative made for the season: short videos for Snapchat and TikTok, search ads for Google, and messages for WhatsApp.
- Weeks 4 to 1 (mid-January to early February): test and set up. Check tracking, test ads with small budgets, and prepare WhatsApp replies and FAQs for your team or chatbot.
- During Ramadan: three phases. Start with awareness in the first days, build consideration in the middle weeks, and push offers in the last ten days.
- Eid and after: thank customers, follow up on enquiries, and record what worked for next year.
Which platforms should you use?
It depends on your customer. Snapchat and TikTok reach younger, mobile-first audiences at scale. Google captures people already searching for what you sell. Meta works well for remarketing and leads. WhatsApp is where many customers ask questions and decide, so make sure someone, or a well-trained chatbot, answers quickly.
What should you check before launch?
- Tracking works on every platform, and conversions are counted the same way.
- Arabic copy is checked by a native speaker for the season and the dialect.
- Offers and prices are the same on ads, the website and WhatsApp.
- Customer-service hours match when your ads run.
- WhatsApp costs are budgeted. Since 1 October 2026, service messages are charged after the first 1,000 free each month per business number. Details: WhatsApp Business pricing after 1 October 2026.
Don’t change your tracking setup during Ramadan. Fix it before the month starts, or your results will be hard to compare.
FAQ
When should I start planning Ramadan 2027 campaigns?
Around mid-November 2026, about 12 weeks before Ramadan starts. That leaves time to set budgets, produce Arabic creative and test before the month begins.
Is the Ramadan 2027 start date confirmed?
Not yet. The Umm Al-Qura calendar places 1 Ramadan 1448 on 8 February 2027, but the official start is confirmed by the moon sighting, so it may move by a day.
Should I increase my budget for the last ten days?
Many businesses do, because Eid shopping peaks then. Agree the split between the three phases in advance, so you’re not deciding under pressure.
