Christmas Umrah 2026
- When: UK schools break up around 18 December 2026 and go back around 4 January 2027
- Prices: from £899 per person, 7 nights, 3-star, flights included. Up to £1,399 for 14 nights, 5-star
- Weather: Makkah 18°C to 25°C by day. Madinah drops to about 10°C at night, so bring a jacket
- Crowds: busy with UK and European pilgrims, but far calmer than Ramadan
- Busiest and dearest week: 23 December to 1 January
- Book by: October at the latest. Hotels near the Haram go first
- Protection: ATOL 12192. Travixum Ltd, company number 13555073
Why UK families go for Umrah at Christmas
Nobody misses school or work. The break runs about 18 December to 4 January. Two full weeks with no annual leave used and no absence letters.
The weather is right. Makkah sits between 18°C and 25°C in the day. Compare that with August, when it passes 45°C. In December, an elderly parent can walk to the Haram five times a day. In August, they cannot.
It is calmer than Ramadan. You can complete Tawaf and Sa'i without a crush and pray far closer to the Kaaba.
It is a good way to start the year. A lot of our customers say the same thing: they would rather be in front of the Kaaba on 1 January than anywhere else.
We should be straight with you about the price, though. December is not cheap. It is the dearest time of year outside Ramadan, precisely because every UK family wants the same fortnight. If you want the same weather for less money, go in early December or in January instead. See our December Umrah Packages from UK for the whole month, or our UK Ramadan Umrah Packages if you would rather travel in the holy month.
How much does a Christmas Umrah package cost?
From £899 per person for seven nights in 3-star hotels, including flights, visa and transfers. A 4-star seven-night package is £979 and a 5-star one is £1,049. 14 nights start from £1,049 for 3-star up to £1,399 for 5-star.
Four things move the price:
- Your travel dates. The week from 23 December to 1 January is the dearest. Leaving on 18 or 19 December, or after 2 January, costs noticeably less.
- The hotel. How many stars, and how far from the Haram.
- How long you stay. Fourteen nights costs more in total but less per night.
- How early you book. Flights in particular get dearer every week from now.
Is Christmas Umrah good for families?
Yes, and it is the most popular time of year for UK families to travel together. We arrange family and connecting rooms, hotels with lifts and short walks to the Haram for grandparents, and itineraries with rest days built in.
Two things worth planning:
Book the Makkah hotel close. In December the walk is pleasant, but with a pushchair and three children it still matters. A five-minute walk beats a shuttle bus every time.
Add Ziyarat. Our guided tours cover Jabal al-Nour, Mount Uhud, Masjid Quba and the other sites. For children, seeing these places does more than any weekend class.
When should you book?
Book by October. December is one of the fastest-selling periods of the year and the hotels within walking distance of the Haram go first.
Every November we speak to families who have left it late and can only get a hotel forty minutes from the Haram at a higher price than they would have paid in September. Booking now gets you:
- Cheaper flights from your preferred airport
- Your first choice of hotel rather than what is left
- Time to sort passports without rushing
- The option to pay in instalments before you travel
Check your passport today. It must have at least six months left on it from the date you come home.
One thing about the visa. We apply for it close to your travel date, not when you book. This is because an Umrah visa is cancelled if you do not enter Saudi Arabia within 30 days of it being issued. So book the trip now, and we will handle the visa in November. Full details on our Umrah visa page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you perform Umrah at Christmas?
Yes. Umrah can be performed at any time of year apart from the days of Hajj. Christmas is simply a convenient 14 nights for UK Muslims because of the school and work holidays. The pilgrimage itself is a normal Umrah.
How much does a Christmas Umrah package cost from the UK?
From £899 per person for seven nights with 3-star hotels, including flights, visa and transfers. A 14-night 5-star package is £1,399.
When do UK schools break up for Christmas 2026?
Most English and Welsh schools break up around Friday 18 December 2026 and go back around Monday 4 January 2027. Scottish schools usually break up a few days earlier. Check your own school's dates before booking.
What is the weather like in Makkah in December?
Between 18°C and 25°C in the day. Madinah is cooler and can drop to about 10°C at night, so pack a light jacket. It is one of the most comfortable times of year for Umrah.
Is December busier than Ramadan?
No. Ramadan is by far the busiest. December is popular with UK and European pilgrims, but the Haram is much calmer and hotels cost less than in Ramadan.
Is December an expensive time to go?
It is the dearest period outside Ramadan, because of the school holidays. Early December and January are cheaper for very similar weather.
When should I book a Christmas Umrah package?
By October. Hotels near the Haram sell out first, and flight prices rise every week from September onwards.
Can I fly from Manchester or Birmingham?
Yes. We arrange flights from London Heathrow and Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and other UK airports. Tell us your nearest and we will build the package around it.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes. Hold your package with a deposit and pay the balance in instalments before you travel.
Are these packages ATOL protected?
Yes. Islamic Travel is a trading name of Travixum Ltd, ATOL 12192. You get your ATOL certificate when you book, and you can check the number at caa.co.uk.
