Ramadan Reimagined – Travel, Food, and Community in 2025

The atmosphere is filled with anticipation. Why, you may ask? As the crescent moon heralds the dawn of Ramadan 2025 around the end of February, Muslim communities throughout the UK prepare for a month of profound personal introspection, community togetherness, and the extensive array of traditions that mark this holy season. Aside from fasting and prayer, Ramadan is also a time for cultural discovery, with unique travel experiences and a thriving food scene that emerges during iftar. What essential trends influence can you expect this special month?

The Commercial and Cultural Transformation of Ramadan Travel

Travel has long been a transformative part of Ramadan for many Muslims. During a conversation with celebrated travel journalist Tharik Hussain, we explored how Ramadan becomes a focal point for tourism boards and brands. Hussain remarked, "I see it as both a positive and a negative. The commercialism aspect can feel problematic, yet in a city like London, where the Muslim population is significant, initiatives like the Ramadan lights on Regent Street celebrate our identity and faith. It’s a moment of visibility we’ve long sought."

Pre-Ramadan Events and Activities to Get Involved In

You can get into plenty of activities in the coming weeks before Ramadan begins.

Integrity, like the Ramadan crescent, can often feel out of reach. Eleanor Martin’s one-woman show, Tales Till Ramadan, offers a unique opportunity to explore this theme through the lens of Muslim heritage stories from Rumi, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Somalia, and Iraq. Presented by Khayaal Theatre, Birmingham, this cultural quest is a rare blend of storytelling and spiritual reflection, making it a compelling and distinctive experience to mark the approach of Ramadan. It promises an experience unlike any other.

The Ramadan Souk Tour is back in London and more exciting than ever! This year, the tour lights up 11 venues across the city, showcasing over 100 Muslim businesses in a vibrant, family-friendly setting. From free Ramadan workshops for children to an inspiring talk by the beloved Sunnah Guy – the event promises to be a heartwarming celebration of community, culture, and the spirit of Ramadan.

Ramadan Fair London welcomes you to experience the atmosphere of the time of year when they prepare for the beginning of Ramadan. A variety of traders will sell food, gifts, apparel, decorations, home goods, and kid-friendly games and activities.

Finally, London boasts the world's largest pre-Ramadan shopping festival and is back for its 9th year. It's expected that over 20,000 visitors will turn up at the London Muslim Shopping Festival on 22nd-23rd February at ExCeL London. This goes nicely with the Muslim Travel Show, also held this year at Excel Arena during the shopping spree, which promises to be a spectacular bonanza. You can immerse yourself in a world of excitement, culture, and shopping.

Unforgettable Ramadan Events to Celebrate the Season

The Muslim Women's Travel Group (MWTG) is making a difference during Ramadan by encouraging connections and empowering women through unique travel experiences–and it's just what the community needs.

When speaking with the founder, Sadia Ramzan, she explained the concept behind this year's initiative.

"There will be two groups people can book through – one specifically for women who have reverted, as I have come across so many who have felt vulnerable after making a big decision. This allows them a space to come together and enjoy each other's company. The other is for women who are single, married or with a family."

Ramzan added, "There is a cost attached, as it's the first, but hopefully, we will get sponsors going forward in the future to host these nights."

MWTG extends a welcoming hand to non-Muslim women as well, and as she put it, "It's the best time to have Muslim friends. The aim is to create a space for interfaith understanding and connection."

There are plenty of other events to think about during the fasting period. Tharik Hussain mentioned to me the Ramadan Tent Project (RTP), with Open Iftar being the flagship bearer and the UK’s largest community and cultural event in Ramadan.

It has reportedly brought together more than a million people in the UK to date at some of the country's most cherished and iconic cultural venues, including King's College (Cambridge), Principality Stadium (Cardiff, Wales), V&A Dundee (Scotland), Trafalgar Square, Wembley Stadium, and Tate Modern in London. This accomplishment demonstrates RTP's dedication to building diversity, community, and cross-cultural interaction throughout the most sacred month in the Islamic calendar.

The Dialogue Society Worksop Branch in Manfield, Nottinghamshire, is hosting its annual Ramadan Dialogue Dinner on Saturday, 15th March 2025. Doors open at 3.30pm, with the event starting at 4pm and concluding by 7pm. This year’s iftar, themed “Peace and Unity,” aims to facilitate mutual respect and understanding.

Lastly, the 25th Night of Ramadan will take us back to the Excel Arena, London. It is a Night of Power, or Laylat al-Qadr, a night of great significance in Islam. It includes an iftar gathering, lectures, raising money for charity, and prayer. 

Whether travelling, exploring local communities, or engaging in personal reflection, remember the core values of connection, compassion, and shared experience.