Every year, for five days, more than a million and a half people gather in and around one city with a single purpose. In 2026, Saudi Arabia’s official statistics agency counted 1,707,301 pilgrims at Hajj, with more than 1.5 million travelling from abroad. No festival, sporting event or concert tour comes close to that kind of annual turnout in one place.

Yet for all its scale, Hajj is one of the least understood events in the world outside the Muslim community. Here is what actually happens, day by day, and why it matters so much to the people who go.

What is Hajj?

Hajj is the annual pilgrimage to Makkah, in Saudi Arabia, and one of the five pillars of Islam. Every adult Muslim who is physically and financially able is expected to perform it at least once in their lifetime.

It takes place on fixed dates in the Islamic lunar calendar, from the 8th to the 12th or 13th of the month of Dhul Hijjah. Because the lunar year is about 11 days shorter than the solar year, Hajj moves earlier each year. Hajj 2027 is expected in mid-May.

The rituals trace back to the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), his wife Hajar and their son Ismail. They follow the route the Prophet Muhammad took on his own pilgrimage in 632 CE.

The great equaliser

Before Hajj begins, every pilgrim enters a sacred state called ihram. For men, that means two plain, unstitched white sheets. Women wear simple, modest clothing.

In a world obsessed with labels, logos and status, the effect is striking. A CEO and a farmer stand side by side in identical white cloth, with no way to tell them apart. For many pilgrims, this is one of the most powerful parts of the experience.

Day 1. The tent city of Mina

On the 8th of Dhul Hijjah, pilgrims travel to Mina, a valley a few kilometres from Makkah. For most of the year it is almost empty. During Hajj, it becomes a vast city of white, air-conditioned tents housing pilgrims from around the world. The day is spent in prayer and reflection, preparing for what comes next.

Day 2. Arafah, the heart of Hajj

The 9th of Dhul Hijjah is the most important day of Hajj. Pilgrims travel to the plain of Arafah and stand in prayer from midday until sunset. Many gather near Jabal al-Rahmah, the Mount of Mercy. Islamic teaching holds that without the day at Arafah, there is no Hajj.

That evening, pilgrims move to Muzdalifah, an open area between Arafah and Mina. Most spend the night under the open sky and collect small pebbles for the rituals ahead.

Day 3. Eid and the stoning of the pillar

The 10th of Dhul Hijjah is Eid al-Adha, celebrated by Muslims across the world. For pilgrims, it is one of the busiest days of all. They return to Mina to throw seven pebbles at the largest of three stone pillars, called the Jamarat. The act symbolises rejecting temptation.

Pilgrims then offer an animal sacrifice, usually arranged through an official voucher scheme, and the meat is distributed to people in need. Men shave or trim their hair, and many pilgrims return to Makkah to circle the Kaaba in a ritual called tawaf.

Days 4 and 5. The final rites

Over the next two or three days, pilgrims stay in Mina and stone all three pillars each day. Before leaving Makkah, they perform a final farewell tawaf around the Kaaba. Many describe leaving as the hardest part of the whole journey.

Running an event for 1.7 million people

The logistics behind Hajj are enormous. In 2026, almost 1.5 million international pilgrims arrived by air alone. A dedicated rail line links the holy sites, and thousands of buses, medical staff and volunteers support the crowds.

Heat is the biggest challenge. In recent years Hajj has fallen in late spring and early summer, and temperatures at the holy sites in 2026 reached the mid-40s °C. Shaded walkways, misting fans and cooled tents now help pilgrims cope, and health authorities issue heat warnings throughout the season.

Hajj vs Umrah

Many people confuse Hajj with Umrah, the shorter pilgrimage to Makkah. Umrah can be performed at almost any time of year, takes a few hours to complete, and is recommended rather than obligatory. Many British Muslims perform Umrah first, often more than once, and travel agents across the country offer Umrah packages in the UK throughout the year.

Hajj, by contrast, happens only once a year, lasts five to six days, and has strict national quotas.

How pilgrims get there

Getting a place at Hajj is not as simple as booking a flight. Saudi Arabia sets quotas for each country, and pilgrims from countries such as the UK must book through the official Nusuk Hajj platform, using operators approved by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

For British Muslims, that usually means choosing from a range of Hajj packages from the UK, which include flights, the Hajj visa, hotels in Makkah and Madinah, and tents in Mina. Packages typically cost several thousand pounds per person, and places sell out months in advance. Anyone travelling should also check the UK Foreign Office’s travel advice for Saudi Arabia before they go.

Final thoughts

From the outside, Hajj can look like a sea of white in the desert. From the inside, it is something far more personal: a once-in-a-lifetime act of faith, shared with more than a million strangers who all feel, for a few days, exactly the same.

Frequently asked questions

How many people go on Hajj each year?

In 2026, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics recorded 1,707,301 pilgrims, including 1,546,655 from outside the country. In 2024, the figure was around 1.83 million.

How long does Hajj last?

The main rites of Hajj take five to six days, from the 8th to the 12th or 13th of Dhul Hijjah. Most pilgrims from the UK spend around two to three weeks in Saudi Arabia in total.

When is Hajj 2027?

Hajj 2027 is expected in mid-May, with the Day of Arafah around 15 May. The exact dates depend on the sighting of the moon.

What is the difference between Hajj and Umrah?

Hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime for those who are able and happens on fixed dates each year. Umrah is a shorter, recommended pilgrimage that can be performed at almost any time of year.

How do UK Muslims book Hajj?

UK pilgrims book through Saudi Arabia’s official Nusuk Hajj platform, using an operator approved by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Most choose a full package that includes flights, visa, hotels and accommodation in Mina.

About the author: This article was written by the team at Qiblatain, a London-based Umrah and Hajj specialist helping UK pilgrims since 2010.

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