Plan Ahead and Market Smarter
Certain holidays cause spikes in lamb demand. Knowing when and what type of lamb is preferred can help you plan lambing times, meet market needs, and boost returns.
Use this calendar as a guide to time your lambing and align with key buying periods throughout the year.
Holiday Calendar – 2025 and 2026
| Holiday | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Easter (Christian) | April 20 | April 20 |
| Passover (Jewish) | April 12 – April 20 | April 1 – April 9 |
| Orthodox Easter | April 20 | April 12 |
| Ramadan (Muslim) | March 1 – 29 | February 18 – March 19 |
| Eid-al-Fitr (Muslim) | March 30 | March 20 |
| Eid-al-Adha, Festival of Sacrifice (Muslim) | June 6 | May 27 |
| Muharram (Islamic New Year) | July 27 | July 14 |
| Rosh Hashanah (Jewish) | September 22 – September 24 | September 11 – September 13 |
| Thanksgiving (Christian) | October 13 | October 12 |
| Hanukkah, Festival of Rededication (Jewish) | December 14 – December 22 | December 4 – December 12 |
| Christmas (Christian) | December 25 | December 25 |
Learn More About Holidays That Influence Lamb Demand
Easter / Passover / Orthodox Easter
- Occurs in early spring.
- High demand for healthy, milk-fed lambs under 50 lbs and less than 3 months old.
- Some markets also seek older, heavier lambs.
- Passover requires Kosher slaughter and processing.
Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr
- Moves earlier each year based on the lunar calendar.
- Lamb is a key dish during nightly feasts.
- Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan with high demand.
- Preferred weight: weaned lambs (60–80 lbs live).
- Must meet Halal requirements.
Eid-al-Adha (Sacrifice Day)
- Also shifts each year with the lunar calendar.
- Strong demand for healthy, blemish-free lambs under 1 year old.
- Intact ram lambs may be preferred; docked tails may not be accepted.
- Must be Halal slaughtered.
Muharram (Islamic New Year)
- Moderate market influence.
- Mutton is often served.
- No specific weight, but animals must appear healthy.
Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)
- Occurs in the fall.
- Preferred: well-finished lambs weighing 60–110 lbs.
- Kosher processing required.
Hanukkah
- Takes place in December.
- High demand for heavy, healthy lambs.
- It often coincides with Christmas.
- Kosher laws apply.
Christmas
- Demand rises in late fall.
- Light, milk-fed lambs are often sought.
- “Curry” mutton and heavier market lambs may also be in demand.
- Out-of-season breeding may be required to meet timing.
Many of these holidays follow lunar calendars and shift each year, so check annually and plan lambing dates accordingly.
Learn more about lamb holiday marketing calendar.