Dubai schools are set to reopen on Monday, August 31, 2026, marking the start or continuation of the 2026-27 academic year for private schools across the emirate.
The return to classrooms comes just after the UAE’s Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Birthday holiday, giving families a final three-day weekend from August 28 to 30. The break offers parents an opportunity to complete back-to-school preparations before classes resume.
When do Dubai schools reopen?
August 31 is the first day back for Dubai private schools following the summer break. This applies to schools following both September-start and April-start academic calendars, although their wider term structures differ.
Schools offering Indian, Pakistani and Japanese curricula, which began their academic year in April, will also resume classes on August 31 following their summer break.
When is the next school holiday?
The next break depends on the school’s academic calendar.
For private schools following the Ministry of Education (MOE) calendar, the first mid-term holiday starts on October 12, 2026, with classes scheduled to resume on October 19.
However, this October break does not apply universally to all Dubai private schools following a September-start calendar.
Dubai schools winter break 2026
The next major holiday shared by Dubai private schools is the winter break.
- Winter break begins: December 14, 2026
- Classes resume: January 4, 2027
These dates apply to both April-start and September-start private schools in Dubai.
Spring break for September-start schools
For schools following the September academic calendar, the spring holiday begins on April 5, 2027, with students returning on April 12.
The academic year is scheduled to conclude on July 2, 2027. Schools must complete a minimum of 185 instructional days during the academic year.
What about April-start schools?
Dubai private schools operating on an April-start calendar began their 2026-27 academic year on April 6.
Their academic year will conclude between March 15 and March 31, 2027, depending on when each school completes the required minimum of 182 school days.
Dubai school calendar 2026-27: Key dates
- August 28-30, 2026: UAE public holiday weekend
- August 31, 2026: Schools reopen
- October 12, 2026: MOE private school mid-term break begins
- October 19, 2026: MOE private schools resume
- December 14, 2026: Winter break begins
- January 4, 2027: Classes resume
- March 15-31, 2027: April-start schools finish the academic year, depending on required school days
- April 5, 2027: Spring break begins for September-start schools
- April 12, 2027: Classes resume
- July 2, 2027: Academic year ends for September-start schools
With different curricula following different academic calendars, parents should also check their child’s school schedule for any additional holidays, professional-development days or timetable changes.
