The short answer
UAE schools start the 2026-27 year on Monday 31 August 2026 and finish on Friday 2 July 2027. The October half term falls between 12 and 18 October, winter break runs from 14 December to 3 January, and spring break is 5 to 11 April 2027.
For the first time, the UAE Ministry of Education has published a unified academic calendar three years ahead, so families can plan flights and holidays well in advance. Here are the confirmed 2026-27 dates, what schools are allowed to vary, and the key dates for the two years after.
The 2026-27 dates
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| First day of school | Monday 31 August 2026 |
| October half term | 12 – 18 October 2026 (some schools take 19 – 23 October instead) |
| Winter break | 14 December 2026 – 3 January 2027, back on 4 January |
| Spring break | 5 – 11 April 2027, back on 12 April |
| Last day of school | Friday 2 July 2027 |
Two flexibilities to check with your own school. First, the October half term: schools may take the 12 to 18 October week or the following week. Second, private schools that do not teach the Ministry curriculum (which includes British schools) may split their mid-term allowance into a shorter October break plus a February half term, capped at five school days in total, so a February half term exists at some schools and not others. Individual schools can also add staff training days or stagger the first days for new and returning students, which shifts dates at the edges by a day or two.
Abu Dhabi and the other emirates
The 2026-27 framework is national, so ADEK schools in Abu Dhabi follow the same 31 August start and the same break windows, with local authorities granting flexibility for other curricula. Even ADEK’s April-start calendars align their winter and spring breaks with the national dates, which keeps siblings at different schools roughly in sync.
Planning further ahead: 2027-28 and 2028-29
| Year | First day | Winter break | Last day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027-28 | 30 August 2027 | 13 December 2027 – 2 January 2028 | 30 June 2028 |
| 2028-29 | 28 August 2028 | 11 December 2028 – 1 January 2029 | 29 June 2029 |
Making the breaks count
The winter break is three weeks and the summer stretch is nine. Research on the “summer slide” consistently shows children lose ground, most sharply in maths, when practice stops entirely for weeks. It does not take much to prevent: twenty minutes of practice a few times a week holds skills in place. Decifer Learning is built for exactly this, with short quiz rounds matched to your child’s school year, streaks that make the habit stick, and a parent view showing what actually got done. It is free while in beta.
When do UAE schools go back in 2026?
Monday 31 August 2026 for schools on the September-start calendar, which includes British curriculum schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Some schools stagger the first days for new and returning students.
When is the 2026-27 winter break?
From 14 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, with school resuming on 4 January 2027.
Is there a February half term in 2027?
It depends on the school. Non-Ministry-curriculum private schools may split their break allowance into a shorter October half term plus a February one, within a five-day total. Check your school’s published calendar.
When does the 2026-27 school year end?
Friday 2 July 2027 under the Ministry framework. Final assessments must run in the last week of term, and students are expected to attend to the final day.
Sources
Facts in this guide come from public, verifiable sources. Fees and ratings change: always confirm directly with the school or regulator before making a decision.