Unified 2026–27 school calendar set in UAE, providing families with long-term certainty.
Dubai: The summer break has officially begun in the UAE. Most private and public schools follow a unified academic calendar, which the Ministry of Education (MoE) has already set for the next three academic years, including 2026–27, providing parents, students and schools with greater clarity and predictability when planning holidays.
When do summer holidays end and schools reopen?
For schools following the UAE Ministry of Education calendar, the 2026–27 academic year will begin on Monday, August 31, 2026, when students return to classrooms.
How long is the summer break this year?
The 2025–26 school year ended on July 3, 2026, for most schools operating under the unified calendar.
Students will return on August 31, 2026, making the summer break roughly eight weeks (about 59 days). Some international curriculum schools may follow slightly different schedules.
UAE academic calendar 2026–27
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 31, 2026 | First day of school |
| October 12–18, 2026 | First mid-term break |
| October 19, 2026 | Classes resume |
| December 14, 2026 – January 3, 2027 | Winter break |
| January 4, 2027 | Classes resume |
| April 5–11, 2027 | Spring break |
| April 12, 2027 | Classes resume |
| July 2, 2027 | Last day of school |
Likely Eid holiday dates for 2027
Eid Al Fitr
Based on the Ministry of Education (MoE) calendar, schools are expected to observe Eid Al Fitr from March 8 to March 12, 2027. For wider UAE public holidays, the exact dates will depend on moon sighting, but current astronomical projections place Eid Al Fitr around March 9–11, 2027, with official dates to be confirmed closer to the time.
Eid Al Adha
The MoE calendar indicates the school break for Eid Al Adha will fall between May 15 and May 18, 2027. For the broader UAE public holiday, the likely period is around May 16–19, 2027, subject to moon sighting and official confirmation.
Note: These dates are indicative only and may change depending on official announcements from the UAE moon sighting committee.
Do all UAE schools follow the same calendar?
Most public and private schools in the UAE follow a unified academic calendar set by the Ministry of Education, although some exceptions do exist.
Schools excluded from the new calendar
Private schools in Sharjah are exempt from the unified calendar and will continue to follow the emirate’s existing regulatory framework. Parents are advised to confirm academic dates directly with their schools.
Private schools offering alternative curricula—such as Indian, Bangladeshi or Pakistani systems—are also not automatically included in the unified schedule. These schools may have different academic calendars, including variations in:
- Start and end dates of the academic year
- Term break structures and timings
In some cases, local education authorities may permit schools to split the mid-term break between October and February, provided specific conditions are met.The total duration of the break does not exceed five school days.
- The total duration of the break does not exceed five school days.
- The arrangement complies with operational requirements.
