What is the literal English translation of 'Eid al-Fitr'?

The literal English translation of “Eid al-Fitr” is “Festival of Breaking Fast.”

“Eid” means a festival or feast, while “al-Fitr” refers to breaking the fast. The name describes the holiday’s place in the Islamic calendar: it begins on the first day of Shawwal, immediately after Ramadan’s month of dawn-to-dusk fasting.

Eid al-Fitr is marked by a communal prayer, charity through zakat al-Fitr, family visits, festive meals and gift-giving. Its date moves through the Gregorian calendar because Islamic months follow the lunar calendar and begin according to local moon-sighting or official determinations.

A common mix-up is Eid al-Adha, sometimes called the Festival of Sacrifice. That is the other major Islamic festival and occurs during Dhu al-Hijjah, not at the end of Ramadan. Eid al-Fitr is also called the Lesser Eid or Sweet Eid in some communities.