UAE School Holidays 2026–2027: Mark these dates on our calendar
If you’re the kind of parent who likes to get ahead of the game - flights booked before prices shoot up, staycations sorted and annual leave strategically placed - this one’s for you.
The UAE’s 2026–2027 school calendar is already confirmed, which means we have a pretty good picture of when the kids will be off. Add in the UAE’s public holidays, and there are a few potential long weekends worth having on your radar too.
So, calendars out. Here are the dates UAE parents need to know for the 2026–2027 academic year.
August 31, 2026: Back to school
This date marks the official start of the 2026–2027 academic year for students.
Enjoy those last lazy summer mornings while you can. To avoid the pre-first day frenzy, buy school uniforms and supplies at least a week in advance.
October 12–18, 2026: Mid-term break
The first proper breather comes relatively quickly. You have a full week to squeeze in a short getaway.
December 2–3, 2026: Eid Al Etihad
Spend these back-to-back days off checking out the UAE National Day celebrations across the country.
December 14, 2026–January 3, 2027: Winter break
Christmas plans, family visits, winter sun! That's three weeks without school, so if you're planning to travel during the festive season, it may pay to book early. Winter camps will start advertising at least a month before, so that’s something to consider if you are staying in the country and thinking of how to keep the kids busy throughout the break.
January 1, 2027: New Year's Day
Friday, January 1 is an official UAE public holiday. For schoolchildren it falls during the winter break anyway.
March 9 to 11 2027: Eid Al Fitr
This is the first date to pencil in rather than write in permanent marker.
Eid Al Fitr is currently expected around March 9–11, 2027. If Ramadan lasts 30 days, March 12 could also become an official holiday, potentially creating a longer break when combined with the weekend. Six days!
Islamic holidays are determined according to the Hijri calendar and moon sighting, so wait for the official UAE announcement before booking anything non-refundable.
April 5–11, 2027: Spring break
The official school spring break runs from:
It's a shorter spring break than UAE families may have been used to in previous years, so that week is likely to be popular for quick trips and staycations.
May 15 - 18 2027: Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha
Another potentially useful stretch for family plans. Again, these dates are expected rather than confirmed, and will depend on moon sighting.
Hijri New Year 2027
The UAE observes 1 Muharram as an official public holiday for Islamic New Year.
The exact Gregorian date will be confirmed closer to the occasion in accordance with the Hijri calendar.
July 2, 2027: School's out for summer
And breathe as we reach the the final day of the 2026–2027 academic year, after which the long summer holiday begin again.
We’ve come full circle
✦ UAE school holidays 2026–2027 at a glance
✦ One thing parents should know before booking
The Ministry of Education calendar gives families a solid framework for the year, but individual school calendars can still vary, particularly for schools following alternative curricula.
Schools may also have their own staff training or development days, while Islamic holiday dates are confirmed closer to the time.
So before hitting “book” on those flights, check your child's own school calendar, especially if you're trying to turn a public holiday into a longer family break.
Hopefully, that's your family calendar looking a little more organised.
Now comes the harder question: what are you actually going to do with all those days off?
Parenting+ has plenty of ideas for making the most of family time in the UAE, from days out and activities to staycations and places worth discovering with the kids.
Follow @parentingplusme on Instagram for more family-friendly ideas, guides and recommendations across the UAE.
