The day of Eid starts with the chanting of the takbir. On the way to the Eid ground, it is takbir. On the way back it is takbir.
It was reported that Sa`id ibn Jubayr said, "Three things are Sunnah (prophetic traditions, preferred to be followed by Muslims) on Eid: to walk (to the place of prayer), to take a bath, and to eat before coming out (if it's Eid al-Fitr)." People should exchange greetings on Eid. They walk to prayer wearing their best clothes and change their route on returning. It is also considered a good Islamic practice to visit one another and exchange gifts.
How to Perform the Eid Prayer
Muslims have no public celebrations apart from Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The Prophet said what means: "Every nation has its festival, and this is your festival." Here, he referred to the fact that these two Eids are exclusively for the Muslims.
The time for Eid Prayer is when the sun has risen about three meters (10 feet) above the horizon. Eid Prayers cannot be said after midday. It is better to hold Eid Prayers in the open if there is no rain or bad weather. The Prophet never performed Eid Prayers in the mosque except once due to rain.
There is neither Adhan (call to prayer) nor Iqamah (second call to prayer) for these prayers, which consist of two rak`ahs with twelve takbirs (Allahu Akbar); seven in the first rak`ah and five in the second. After performing prayer, the imam delivers a khutbah (sermon, speech) just like Friday khutbah.
The following is the Eid Takbir:
"Allahu Akbar
Allahu Akbar,
La Ilaha Il-Allah.
Allahu Akbar,
Allahu Akbar
wa Lillahil Hamd!"
Translates to:
"Allah is the Greatest!
Allah is the Greatest!
Allah is the Greatest!
There is none worth worhsipping except Allah!
Allah is the Greatest!
Allah is the Greatest!
And to Allah is all gratification!"
The Prophet (pbuh) prayed: 'O Allah! Grant us so much (Thy) fear that it may serve as a barrier between us and our sins; and bestow upon us Thy obedience that it may help us to reach Thy Paradise; and grant us so much faith that it may help us to face the misfortunes of this world easily. O Allah! bless us to benefit from our powers of hearing and seeing and vigour so long as Thou does grant us life and make our heirs (beneficiaries) of them; and afflict with our rancour those who oppress us, and help us against those who hate us; do not entangle us in the difficulties of our religion; and do not make the world our main object, and the extent our knowledge; and do not appoint over us persons who will not show mercy to us.' (Tirmidhi)
