Plan ahead: Key dates for summer, winter and spring breaks at Dubai private schools in 2026–27.
Families across the UAE will have one final three-day weekend before children return to school for the 2026–27 academic year, with the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday holiday falling on Friday, August 28.
The paid public holiday applies to both federal government and private-sector employees. For those who normally have Saturday and Sunday off, this means a three-day break from August 28 to 30.
The long weekend could give families a final opportunity for a staycation, family outing or last-minute back-to-school preparations, as schools across the UAE are due to reopen the following day.
Is the first day back the same for all schools?
Yes. Regardless of when their academic year begins, schools across the UAE are scheduled to welcome students back after the summer break on Monday, August 31.
According to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), August 31 marks the first day of the 2026–27 academic year for Dubai private schools following the September-start calendar.
Indian, Pakistani and Japanese curriculum schools, which began their academic year in April, will also resume classes on August 31 following their two-month summer break.
When is the next school holiday?
That depends on the school and its academic calendar.
For MOE private schools, the first mid-term break begins on Monday, October 12, according to the KHDA calendar. Students return on Monday, October 19, giving them a week-long break.
However, KHDA specifically lists the October break as applying only to MOE private schools. Other Dubai private schools following a September-start calendar do not have a common October mid-term holiday listed.
When is the winter break?
The next holiday that applies to all Dubai private schools is the winter break.
It starts on Monday, December 14, 2026, with students returning on Monday, January 4, 2027. The dates apply to both April-start and September-start private schools in Dubai.
What comes after the winter break?
For September-start schools, the next common holiday is the spring break:
- April 5, 2027: Spring break begins
- April 12, 2027: Classes resume
The 2026–27 academic year for September-start schools is scheduled to end on Friday, July 2, 2027.
These schools are required to complete a minimum of 185 school days during the academic year.
What about April-start schools?
Dubai private schools following an April-start calendar have a different academic structure. Their 2026–27 school year began on April 6, 2026.
The academic year will end between March 15 and March 31, 2027, depending on when each school completes the required minimum of 182 school days.
In a nutshell: Key dates for Dubai parents
- August 28–30: Three-day public holiday weekend for eligible working parents
- August 31: Classes begin or resume after the summer break for Dubai private schools
- October 12: Mid-term break begins for MOE private schools only
- October 19: MOE private school classes resume
- December 14: Winter break begins for all Dubai private schools
- January 4, 2027: Classes resume after the winter break
- March 15–31: April-start schools end their academic year, depending on completion of the required 182 school days
- April 5: Spring break begins for September-start schools
- April 12: September-start schools resume classes
- July 2: Academic year ends for September-start schools
