The UAE Ministry of Education has confirmed the academic calendar for the 2026–27 school year. The year begins on 31 August 2026 and ends on 2 July 2027, with three scheduled breaks across the year. This article sets out every key date, the public holidays that fall during the school year, and how private school calendars may vary from the official calendar.
This article reflects the UAE Ministry of Education academic calendar and UAE press reporting as of May 2026. Individual schools may adjust some dates within the Ministry framework, and Islamic holiday dates are confirmed nearer the time by official moon sighting. Parents should confirm specific dates with their own school.
UAE school calendar 2026–27 at a glance
| Period | Dates | Schools resume |
|---|---|---|
| First day of school | 31 August 2026 | — |
| First-semester mid-term break | 12–18 October 2026 | 19 October 2026 |
| Winter break | 14 December 2026 – 3 January 2027 | 4 January 2027 |
| Spring break | 5–11 April 2027 | 12 April 2027 |
| Last day of school | 2 July 2027 | — |
The summer break for most pupils runs from early July 2027 until the start of the following academic year.
Term-by-term breakdown
First term
The first term begins on 31 August 2026 and runs until the winter break. It includes the first-semester mid-term break from 12 to 18 October 2026, with schools resuming on 19 October. Pupils then continue until the winter break begins on 14 December 2026.
Second term
The second term begins on 4 January 2027, after the winter break, and runs through to the spring break. The spring break falls from 5 to 11 April 2027, with schools resuming on 12 April.
Third term
The third term runs from 12 April 2027 until the last day of school on 2 July 2027, followed by the summer break.
Public holidays during the 2026–27 school year
Several UAE public holidays fall during the school year. Fixed-date holidays are confirmed in advance, while Islamic holidays depend on the lunar calendar and are confirmed officially nearer the time.
- UAE National Day: 2 and 3 December 2026 (fixed)
- New Year's Day: 1 January 2027 (fixed, falls within the winter break)
- Eid Al Fitr: expected around March 2027, subject to moon sighting
- Eid Al Adha: expected around late May 2027, subject to moon sighting
- Islamic New Year and the Prophet Muhammad's birthday: dates confirmed nearer the time
Because Islamic holiday dates are set by official announcement based on moon sighting, parents should treat the expected periods above as approximate until the UAE Government confirms them.
How private schools may vary
The Ministry of Education calendar applies to public schools and to private schools that follow the Ministry curriculum. Other schools have some flexibility:
- Local education authorities may permit private schools that do not follow the Ministry curriculum to divide the mid-term break between October and February, provided the total does not exceed five school days. This flexibility does not apply to private schools in Sharjah.
- The Ministry calendar does not apply to private schools following alternative curricula, such as Indian, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani curricula, which set their own calendars.
Because of this, start and end dates and break periods can differ between schools, particularly for British, American, IB, and Indian curriculum schools. Parents should always confirm the exact dates with their own school.
Attendance in the final week of term
The Ministry of Education has confirmed that pupils are expected to attend through the final school day of each term, including completing assessments and curriculum work in the last week. The only exception is for pupils sitting pre-scheduled international examinations.
What parents should plan around
A few practical points for the year ahead:
- The first long break is the winter break in mid-December, so families planning long-haul travel should aim for that period rather than October.
- The October mid-term break is short, so it suits a local staycation or a short trip.
- The spring break in April lasts only one week, so travel should be booked early, as demand is high across the country.
- The summer break begins in early July, earlier than in some other countries, which affects summer-camp and travel timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the UAE school year start in 2026?
The 2026–27 academic year begins on 31 August 2026 for public schools and private schools that follow the Ministry of Education calendar.
When does the UAE school year end in 2027?
The 2026–27 academic year ends on 2 July 2027, followed by the summer break.
When is the first mid-term break in 2026?
The first-semester mid-term break runs from 12 to 18 October 2026, with schools resuming on 19 October 2026.
When is the winter break for UAE schools in 2026–27?
The winter break runs from 14 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, with schools resuming on 4 January 2027.
When is the spring break for UAE schools in 2027?
The spring break runs from 5 to 11 April 2027, with schools resuming on 12 April 2027.
Does the Ministry of Education calendar apply to all private schools?
No. The calendar applies to public schools and private schools that follow the Ministry curriculum. Private schools following alternative curricula, such as Indian, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani curricula, set their own calendars. Other private schools may divide the mid-term break across October and February within a five-school-day limit, except in Sharjah.
How many breaks are there in the UAE school year?
There are three scheduled breaks during the 2026–27 school year: a first-semester mid-term break in October, a winter break in December and January, and a spring break in April. The summer break begins after the school year ends.
