Complete Guide to Dubai School Holidays (2026–2027 Academic Year)
Planning family vacations, flights, or childcare around the Dubai school calendar requires staying ahead of official Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) schedules. Whether your child attends a September-start international school (UK, US, IB) or an April-start school (CBSE/Indian curriculum), this guide breaks down all term breaks, public holidays, and key academic dates for 2026 and 2027.
1. September-Start Schools (UK, IB, US, & MOE Curricula)
For private schools in Dubai operating on the September-to-July academic calendar, the minimum required teaching days is set at 185 days.
| Academic Milestone / Holiday | Official Dates | Notes |
| Start of Academic Year | August 31, 2026 | First day of Term 1 |
| Autumn Mid-Term Break | October 12 – October 16, 2026 | Resumes October 19, 2026 |
| Winter Break (All Schools) | December 14, 2026 – January 3, 2027 | Classes resume January 4, 2027 |
| Spring Break | April 5 – April 9, 2027 | Classes resume April 12, 2027 |
| End of Academic Year | July 2, 2027 | Summer break begins |
Note on Autumn Mid-Term Break: Dubai private schools adhere to the unified UAE Ministry of Education calendar, scheduling the October half-term break from October 12 to October 16, 2026. Always confirm specific dates with your child’s school portal.
2. April-Start Schools (CBSE, ICSE, Indian & Asian Curricula)
Schools following the April-to-March academic schedule must complete a minimum of 182 teaching days.
| Academic Milestone / Holiday | Official Dates |
| Academic Year Begins | Early April 2026 |
| Summer Break | July 6, 2026 – August 30, 2026 |
| Classes Resume After Summer | August 31, 2026 |
| Winter Break | December 14, 2026 – January 3, 2027 |
| End of Academic Year | March 15 – March 31, 2027 (subject to day requirements) |
3. Anticipated UAE Public & Religious Holidays (2026–2027)
In addition to scheduled term breaks, Dubai schools close for official UAE national and Islamic holidays. Islamic holiday dates are subject to official moon sightings.
- Commemoration Day & UAE National Day: December 1 – December 3, 2026
- New Year’s Day: January 1, 2027 (Falls within Winter Break)
- Eid al-Fitr: March 8 – March 12, 2027 (Tentative)
- Eid al-Adha: May 17 – May 18, 2027 (Tentative)
- Islamic New Year (1449 AH): June 6, 2027 (Tentative)
4. Key KHDA Admission Rule Updates for 2026–2027
If you are enrolling a child into a Dubai school for the 2026–2027 academic year, take note of the updated age cut-off rules:
- New Cut-off Date: The admission cut-off date for August/September-start schools moves from August 31 to December 31.
- Age Eligibility by December 31:
- Pre-KG: Must be 3 years old
- KG1 / FS2: Must be 4 years old
- KG2 / Year 1: Must be 5 years old
- Grade 1 / Year 2: Must be 6 years old
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are all Dubai school holiday dates identical across all private schools?
While mandatory start, end, winter, and spring break frames are set by the KHDA/Ministry of Education, individual private schools are granted minor flexibility for staff training days or mid-term breaks, provided they complete required instructional days (185 days for September-start, 182 for April-start).
How long is the winter break in Dubai?
The winter break is uniform for all curriculum types in Dubai, lasting 3 full weeks from mid-December to early January.
Where can I check the official calendar for my child’s specific school?
You can search your individual school’s KHDA-approved academic calendar directly on the official KHDA Private School Directory Portal.
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