Is Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 a dry day in Kerala? Here’s what BEVCO rules say

Kerala is celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr today, March 20, while most parts of India will observe the festival tomorrow. This difference has occurred due to the sighting of the crescent moon, which determines the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid.

In Kerala, religious authorities confirmed that the Shawwal crescent moon was sighted on Thursday evening in parts of the state, especially along coastal areas. Based on this, Friday was declared as the first day of Shawwal, marking Eid celebrations.

As festivities begin across the state, a common question arises, is Eid-ul-Fitr a dry day in Kerala? While many assume that major religious festivals automatically mean a ban on liquor sales, that is not the case this year.

Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 is not listed as a dry day in Kerala under the official schedule followed by the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco). This means that liquor outlets are expected to function as usual unless any last-minute restrictions are announced by authorities.

As per the existing Bevco calendar, liquor outlets in Kerala will remain closed for a total of 21 days in 2026, including nine public holidays and 12 dry days. Notably, the dry days fall on the first day of every month, from January 1 to December 1.

Apart from these, closures are scheduled on key national and observance days such as Republic Day (January 26), Mahatma Gandhi Martyrdom Day (January 30), Good Friday (April 18), World Anti-Drug Day (June 26), Independence Day (August 15), Thiruvonam (September 5), Sree Narayana Guru Jayanti (September 7), Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi (September 21), and Gandhi Jayanti (October 2).

Among Kerala’s major festivals, Thiruvonam is the only one officially observed as a dry day, while liquor shops typically remain open on occasions like Vishu and Christmas.

Additionally, liquor sales may be suspended on election days, local festivals, or specific regional events, depending on government notifications. Government-run Triveni liquor shops may also follow slightly different schedules in certain cases.

In summary, despite Eid-ul-Fitr being one of the most significant festivals for the Muslim community, it is not a dry day in Kerala in 2026, and liquor outlets will remain open as per the standard schedule.