Chand Raat is the night before Eid, when the new moon is announced and Pakistan's bazaars fill with people buying bangles, getting henna on their hands and finishing their Eid shopping. In 2026 it was the evening of Friday 20 March, with Eid ul Fitr on Saturday 21 March. In 2027 it is expected around 9 March, with Eid on about 10 March. The famous scenes are in Anarkali and Liberty Market in Lahore, Tariq Road and Zainab Market in Karachi, and Jinnah Super and the malls in Islamabad.
This guide is for anyone who wants to see Chand Raat properly: where to go in each city, what is sold, how late things stay open, and how to avoid being swallowed by the crowd. It is also an honest look at who will enjoy it and who should skip it.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| What it is | The night before Eid ul Fitr, after the Shawwal moon is sighted (or Ramadan completes 30 days) |
| 2026 | Evening of Friday 20 March |
| 2027 | Expected around 9 March, depending on the moon |
| Famous for | Mehndi (henna), bangles, last-minute clothes and shoes, street food |
| Hours | Markets stay open late, in some places until the early morning |
| Biggest challenge | Crowds, traffic and parking |
When is Chand Raat?
Chand Raat means "night of the moon". It is the evening when the Shawwal crescent is looked for at the end of Ramadan. If it is sighted, Eid is the next day. If not, Ramadan has 30 days and Eid is a day later.
In 2026 the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee received no credible testimony of the moon on 19 March, as cloud covered most of the country, so Ramadan was completed at 30 days and Eid ul Fitr fell on Saturday 21 March. That made Chand Raat the evening of Friday 20 March.
For 2027, calendar estimates put Ramadan from about 8 February to 9 March, which would put Eid ul Fitr around 10 March. Treat that as an estimate. The committee announces the date on the evening itself, so keep your plans flexible. You will not know whether it is Chand Raat until the announcement, which is made after Maghrib and spreads quickly by mosque loudspeaker, television and phone.
If you are planning a holiday around Eid itself, read our Eid ul Fitr trip ideas as well, since the days around Eid are the busiest travel days of the year.
What happens on Chand Raat?
Once the moon is announced, people head out. Wikipedia describes the night as comparable to Christmas Eve in cultural importance: families gather in public places, exchange Eid Mubarak greetings and prepare for the next day, and celebrations run through the night until Fajr prayer.
The main elements are:
- Mehndi. Girls and women have henna applied on hands and sometimes arms. Stalls and professional artists work through the evening, and the queues get long.
- Bangles. Glass and metal bangles in every colour, bought in sets and matched to the Eid outfit. Stalls line pavements.
- Last-minute shopping. Clothes, shoes, jewellery, bags and cosmetics. Reports from Dawn describe stalls selling "cosmetics, ear-rings, gleaming bangles, embroidered clothes, jewellery and colourful dresses".
- Food. Chaat, sweets, juice and grilled food from stalls and restaurants nearby.
- Eidi and gifts. Money envelopes, small gifts and sweets for children are prepared for the morning.
Chand Raat in Lahore
Lahore's best-known Chand Raat spots are in the old and middle parts of the city.
- Anarkali and Bano Bazaar. Anarkali is the classic. Bano Bazaar, the women's section within New Anarkali, is the heart of it, with bangles, clothes, henna and accessories. It is crowded, narrow and loud. Our guide to Anarkali Bazaar explains the layout.
- Liberty Market, Gulberg. A newer, more open market with bangles, mehndi, dupattas and children's clothes. Parking is a problem in the evening.
- Mall-based events. Some malls and venues stage Chand Raat festivals with stalls and food. Check each venue's own announcements, as these change every year.
Lahore's traffic police prepare a plan for the busiest markets each Eid. The details change every year, so check the announcement. What matters for you is that roads around the big markets are likely to be restricted or jammed from early evening.
Chand Raat in Karachi
Karachi's Chand Raat is its own thing, and it is late.
- Tariq Road. Often described as the heart of Karachi's Chand Raat. Bangle stalls line the pavements, and mehndi artists work under fairy lights. It is very crowded.
- Zainab Market, Saddar. The old budget market for clothes, accessories, mehndi products and gifts. Our guide to Empress Market covers the Saddar area during the day.
- Other markets. Reports name Saddar and other main markets as packed, and Gulf Market is also known for its mehndi stalls.
In 2026 Karachi's traffic police announced restrictions in advance. Rickshaws, taxis and commercial vehicles were banned from Main Rashid Minhas Road, and rickshaws and taxis from Tariq Road between Allah Wali and the Ittehad signal in Bahadurabad. Access in Saddar was restricted from Fawara Chowk to the GPO, and Singer Chowk to Rehbil Nisa also barred rickshaws and taxis. Clifton Bridge, Teen Talwar and Race Course got designated alternative routes. Expect similar arrangements in 2027.
If you want to eat after the shopping, see our guide to Karachi street food.
Chand Raat in Islamabad and Rawalpindi
The twin cities spread the night across malls and markets.
- Jinnah Super and Super Market, F-7. The traditional place, where mehndi artists have set up on Chand Raat for years.
- Malls. Safa Gold Mall has hosted a Chand Raat Mela with mehndi and bangles stalls, and Centaurus Mall has had stalls inside and outside the building (Islamabad Scene).
- Rawalpindi. Reports from earlier years describe traffic jams on Murree Road and the roads leading to Raja Bazaar, Liaquat Road and Iqbal Road on Chand Raat, with markets and plazas open until about 6am.
Faisal Mosque is lit and busy around Eid, and our guide to Faisal Mosque tells you what to expect there.
How late do the bazaars stay open?
Late. Most reports say that markets and malls stay open until well after midnight on Chand Raat, and in the twin cities some were reported open until 6am in past years. In other cities the usual closing times are relaxed for the night.
Do not assume that every shop will take part. Some traders close early to be home, and hours can change if the local administration sets a deadline. The reliable plan is to arrive after Maghrib, when the announcement is made, and to expect the busiest hours between about 10pm and 2am.
Practical tips for visitors
- Go in a group. Particularly in Anarkali and Tariq Road, where lanes are narrow.
- Carry small cash. Stalls take cash, change runs short, and mobile data can fail in crowds.
- Watch your pockets. Phones and wallets are the usual targets in dense crowds. Keep bags in front of you.
- Dress for the crowd. Comfortable shoes, light clothing and a dupatta or scarf if you want to blend in.
- Mehndi. Agree the design and price before the artist starts. Fresh henna needs a few hours to dry, so plan food and travel around it.
- Take rickshaws to the edge. Get dropped on the side of the restricted zone and walk the last stretch.
- Respect the police arrangements. They deploy extra officers, including women police at some markets, and checkpoints are common.
Security in the markets is high. Police in Karachi and across Punjab put extra staff in markets on Chand Raat, and Faisalabad's regional police chief, for example, ordered 5,558 personnel to 79 major markets and busy streets in 2026. Check local news on the day before you go.
Who should go, and who should not
Chand Raat suits people who like noise, colour and crowds, and who can accept being slow. It is a very good evening for women and families who want henna and bangles, for photographers, and for anyone curious about modern Pakistani festivals.
It is not good for people who dislike crowds, those with young children and no helper, or anyone who needs to travel the next morning. Eid morning is the main travel peak, and you will be tired.
The best way to enjoy it as an outsider is to pick one market, go early, get your henna done, eat nearby and head home before the peak. You will see the colour without the crush. For more of the country's seasonal events, see the experiences page.
Frequently asked questions
When is Chand Raat 2026?
Chand Raat 2026 was the evening of Friday 20 March, because the Shawwal moon was not sighted on 19 March and Eid ul Fitr was celebrated on Saturday 21 March.
When is Chand Raat in 2027?
It is expected around 9 March 2027, with Eid ul Fitr on about 10 March. The exact date depends on the moon being sighted in Pakistan.
Which is the best bazaar for Chand Raat in Lahore?
Anarkali, and especially Bano Bazaar, is the traditional choice, with Liberty Market in Gulberg as a more open alternative. Both are very crowded.
Where do you get mehndi on Chand Raat in Karachi?
Tariq Road and Zainab Market in Saddar are the best-known places, with stalls and professional artists working into the night. Gulf Market is also known for mehndi.
Do shops stay open all night on Chand Raat?
Many do. Markets and malls stay open late, and in the twin cities some were reported open until about 6am in past years. Hours depend on the local administration and the traders.
Is Chand Raat safe for visitors?
Most people have a good time, and police deploy extra staff to the markets. Go in a group, keep valuables close, and check local news and advice before travelling.
