Key UAE School Term Dates, Holidays and Breaks for Parents in 2026–27.
Dubai: Schools across the UAE are set to reopen on August 31, marking the beginning of the 2026–27 academic year for most students. However, school term dates and holiday schedules can vary depending on the emirate and curriculum.
For parents planning ahead, here are the key UAE school calendar dates, term breaks and holidays for the 2026–27 academic year.
UAE School Calendar 2026–27
Most public and private schools across the UAE follow a unified academic calendar, which establishes common dates for the start of the academic year, school terms and major holidays.
For the 2026–27 academic year, the main dates are:
- Academic year begins: August 31, 2026
- First-term mid-term break: October 12–18, 2026
- Classes resume: October 19, 2026
- Winter break: December 14, 2026–January 3, 2027
- Classes resume: January 4, 2027
- Spring break: April 5–11, 2027
- Classes resume: April 12, 2027
- Academic year ends: July 2, 2027
Schools following the unified calendar must meet the required minimum number of instructional days. The standardised schedule also gives families greater certainty when planning holidays, travel and childcare throughout the school year.
The UAE has also introduced multi-year academic calendar frameworks, giving schools and families greater visibility of important term dates and holidays well in advance.
Which Schools Do Not Follow the UAE Unified Calendar?
Not all private schools follow the UAE’s unified academic calendar.
Private schools in Sharjah operate under the emirate’s own education regulations, while schools following alternative curricula — including some Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi programmes — may have different academic years, term dates and holiday schedules.
Parents are advised to check with their child’s school directly before booking flights or making holiday and travel plans.
Some private schools may also be allowed to divide a mid-term break between October and February, as long as the combined break does not exceed five school days and meets the required operational conditions.
Schools With an April Academic Year
Some schools, particularly those following the Indian curriculum, start their academic year in April rather than September. These schools typically conclude the academic year in March, provided they meet the required number of instructional days. The minimum requirement for these schools is 182 school days.
UAE Public Holidays During 2026–27
Parents should also take expected UAE public holidays into account when planning school breaks, family trips and childcare arrangements. The expected dates include:
- Eid Al Fitr: March 8–12, 2027
- Eid Al Adha: May 15–18, 2027
- Hijri New Year: June 6, 2027
Dates linked to the Islamic calendar remain subject to official confirmation and may change depending on the sighting of the moon.
Sharjah Private School Calendar 2026–27
Private schools in Sharjah will also begin the new academic year on August 31, 2026, according to the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA).
The calendar applies to most private schools in the emirate, with Indian and Pakistani curriculum schools excluded.
Key dates include:
- Winter break: December 14, 2026–January 3, 2027
- Classes resume: January 4, 2027
- Spring break: April 5–8, 2027
- Classes resume: April 12, 2027
- Academic year ends: July 1, 2027
