Introduction
Knowing the school holidays UAE families can expect during the academic year makes it much easier to plan travel, childcare, family activities and annual leave.
The UAE Ministry of Education has published the academic calendar for the 2026–2027 school year, giving parents and students advance notice of the major term breaks and important school dates.
The 2026–2027 academic year began on 31 August 2026 and is scheduled to finish on 2 July 2027.
Below is a clear guide to the UAE school holidays for 2026–2027.
UAE School Holidays 2026–2027 at a Glance
| School Calendar Event | Date |
|---|---|
| First day of school | 31 August 2026 |
| First mid-term break | 12–18 October 2026 |
| Classes resume | 19 October 2026 |
| Winter break begins | 14 December 2026 |
| Classes resume after winter break | 4 January 2027 |
| Spring break begins | 5 April 2027 |
| Classes resume after spring break | 12 April 2027 |
| Last day of academic year | 2 July 2027 |
The Ministry’s published three-year calendar confirms these student break and return-to-school dates.
October Mid-Term School Holiday
The first major break of the 2026–2027 school year takes place in October.
The mid-term break for students runs from 12 October to 18 October 2026, with classes resuming on Monday, 19 October 2026.
This gives students a full week away from normal classes relatively early in the academic year.
For parents, this can be a useful period for short UAE staycations, family visits or a brief international trip before the winter travel season begins.
UAE Winter School Holiday 2026
The winter school holiday begins on 14 December 2026.
Students return to school on 4 January 2027, meaning the full period away from classes runs through 3 January 2027.
The detailed Ministry calendar identifies 14 December 2026 to 1 January 2027 as student winter-break school days, while the published calendar announcement lists the full break through the weekend of 2–3 January, with classes restarting on 4 January.
This is one of the longest breaks during the UAE school year and is therefore one of the busiest periods for family travel.
Parents planning flights or hotels during this period should generally book early because demand can increase around Christmas, New Year and the school holiday period.
UAE Spring School Holiday 2027
The next major break comes in April 2027.
The spring break starts on 5 April 2027, with students returning to school on 12 April 2027.
The Ministry’s detailed academic calendar lists the school-day component of spring break as 5–9 April, while the weekend extends the students’ time away through 11 April.
This distinction is useful when planning travel: the official school closure covers the working school week, while students effectively have the surrounding weekend as part of their time away from classes.
When Does School Finish in the UAE in 2027?
The 2026–2027 academic year is scheduled to end on 2 July 2027.
After that date, students begin their summer holiday before the start of the following academic year.
The Ministry has already announced that the 2027–2028 academic year is scheduled to begin on 30 August 2027.
This gives families considerably more certainty when planning summer holidays.
UAE School Holidays and Public Holidays
School holidays and UAE public holidays are not always the same thing.
Schools may also close for officially recognised national or religious holidays that fall during the academic year.
For example, the Ministry’s detailed 2026–2027 school calendar includes the UAE National Day holiday period in December.
Islamic holiday dates can depend on the Hijri calendar and official announcements, so parents should check confirmed government notices closer to each occasion rather than relying solely on dates estimated months in advance.
Do All UAE Schools Have the Same Holidays?
Not necessarily.
The Ministry’s calendar applies directly to UAE public schools and private schools that follow the Ministry of Education curriculum.
Some private schools following other curricula may receive flexibility from their local education authority regarding certain mid-term breaks.
The Ministry says that qualifying private schools may adjust or divide mid-term breaks in October and/or February, subject to approval and within permitted limits.
Different arrangements also apply to private schools in Sharjah because of the emirate’s specific regulatory framework.
For this reason, parents should always compare the national academic calendar with the calendar issued by their child’s school.
School Holidays in Dubai
Private schools in Dubai may operate under different curricula, including British, American, IB, Indian and other international programmes.
Although the UAE academic calendar provides the national framework, individual school calendars can differ depending on the curriculum and approvals from the relevant education authority.
Parents in Dubai should therefore check their school’s official calendar before making non-refundable travel arrangements.
School Holidays in Sharjah
Parents with children attending private schools in Sharjah should pay particular attention to their individual school’s published calendar.
The Ministry specifically notes that Sharjah private schools are subject to their own regulatory arrangements regarding flexibility around certain mid-term breaks.
This means a holiday date applicable to another private school elsewhere in the UAE should not automatically be assumed to apply to a Sharjah school.
How Parents Can Plan Around UAE School Holidays
School holiday periods are among the busiest times for travel from the UAE.
A little advance planning can make a significant difference.
Book Flights Earlier
Airfares can rise considerably when thousands of families are travelling during the same school break.
Once your school’s dates are confirmed, compare travel options early rather than waiting until the final weeks.
Confirm Your School’s Calendar
Do not rely only on a general UAE calendar.
Check the official calendar provided by your child’s school before booking flights, hotels or leave from work.
Watch Return-to-School Dates
The last holiday date and the first school day are different.
For example, the winter holiday effectively runs through 3 January 2027, but students return to class on 4 January 2027.
Consider Short UAE Breaks
Not every school holiday requires international travel.
October and spring breaks can also be used for short trips within the UAE, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah or other destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions About School Holidays UAE
When is the next UAE school holiday in 2026?
After the school year began on 31 August 2026, the first scheduled mid-term student break is 12–18 October 2026, with classes returning on 19 October.
When is the UAE winter school holiday in 2026?
The winter break begins on 14 December 2026. Students return to school on 4 January 2027.
When is the UAE spring break in 2027?
Spring break begins on 5 April 2027, and students return on 12 April 2027.
When does the UAE school year end in 2027?
The official end date for the 2026–2027 academic year is 2 July 2027.
When does the 2027–2028 UAE school year start?
The Ministry has announced 30 August 2027 as the start of the 2027–2028 academic year.
Are Dubai private-school holidays exactly the same?
Not always. Private-school calendars can vary depending on the curriculum and approvals from the relevant local education authority. Parents should verify dates directly with their school before arranging travel.
Final Thoughts
The main school holidays UAE students and parents should know for the 2026–2027 academic year are the October mid-term break, winter break and April spring break.
The key dates are:
12–18 October 2026: Mid-term break
14 December 2026–3 January 2027: Winter period away from classes
5–11 April 2027: Spring period away from classes
2 July 2027: End of the academic year
These dates provide a useful starting point for planning, but individual private-school calendars can differ. Always confirm the final dates with your child’s school before booking travel.
The official UAE Ministry of Education academic calendar should remain the primary reference for national school-calendar updates.
