Is Eid Milad-un-Nabi a holiday in the United States, check what’s open and closed on Friday?

Muslims across the United States are preparing to mark Eid Milad un-Nabi (also known as Mawlid or the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday), a religious occasion commemorating the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. The holiday, which falls on the 12th or 17th day of the Islamic month of Rabi’ al-Awwal, is one of the most spiritually significant days in the Islamic calendar.

Eid Milad un-Nabi is widely observed in Muslim communities, but the Prophet’s Birthday is not recognized as a federal public holiday in the United States. This year it is being celebrated on September 5, 2025.

Businesses, schools, and government offices across America remain open with normal working hours. However, some Muslim-owned businesses and organizations may close or adjust operations for the day.

How Muslims in the US celebrate

Across the country, Islamic centers, mosques, and community halls host special programs, including:

• Lectures and classes - Islamic educational institutions often organize sessions on the Prophet Muhammad’s life, focusing on how Muslims can live honorably in today’s world.
  
• Interfaith gatherings - Many communities invite non-Muslims to share meals, join discussions, and learn more about Islam. Organizers emphasize that these events are aimed at fostering understanding, not conversion.
  
• Parades and public events - In some cities, outdoor celebrations include parades with green banners, traditional clothing, and community chants praising the Prophet. Men and boys often wear green, while girls dress in pink or white.
  
• Communal meals and cakes - Many celebrations conclude with shared meals or the distribution of birthday cakes, often extended to non-Muslim neighbors as an act of goodwill.
  

Although it is not a federal holiday, some local parades or processions may cause minor traffic disruptions in certain areas. Generally, daily life in the US continues without interruption.

Eid Milad un-Nabi is a public holiday in many Muslim-majority nations, where businesses, schools, and government offices close in observance. In the United States, however, the celebration remains a community-led tradition rather than a national holiday.

Because the Islamic calendar is lunar and months begin at sunset, the date of Mawlid varies each year. Regional moon sightings also mean that the exact day of observance may differ slightly between communities.