The winter break for UAE schools starts on Monday 14 December 2026, and classes resume on Monday 4 January 2027. That makes Friday 11 December the last day of term, and gives pupils three full weeks off, or 23 days counting the weekends at each end.
| Last school day of Term 1 | Friday 11 December 2026 |
| Winter break begins | Monday 14 December 2026 |
| Schools reopen (Term 2) | Monday 4 January 2027 |
| Length | 3 weeks |
| Public holiday inside the break | New Year’s Day, Friday 1 January 2027 |
Which schools follow these dates
The dates come from the national academic calendar the Ministry of Education published for 2026–27, which applies to public and private schools across the UAE. Two groups should check with their own school:
- Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi curriculum schools are exempt from the unified calendar because their academic year runs from April. Their winter break is usually shorter.
- Individual private schools sometimes finish a day or two earlier or add a training day on the return. The school’s own calendar is the one that counts for attendance.
Schools are required to run final assessments in the last week of each term, so pupils are expected to attend until the official last day. Leaving early for cheaper flights can mean missing an assessment.
The rest of the 2026–27 school year
| What | Dates |
|---|---|
| Term 1 started | 31 August 2026 |
| October mid-term break | 12 to 18 October 2026, back on 19 October |
| National Day holiday | 2 and 3 December 2026 (expected) |
| Winter break | 14 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 |
| Term 2 starts | 4 January 2027 |
| Spring break | 5 to 11 April 2027, back on 12 April |
| School year ends | 2 July 2027 |
Eid Al Fitr is expected around 9 or 10 March 2027, in the middle of Term 2, so there will be a further break then. See Ramadan 2027 expected dates.
Planning around it
- Flights: fares out of the UAE climb sharply for departures from 11 December and returns on 2 and 3 January. Flying out on a weekday in the first week of the break and back before New Year is usually cheaper.
- National Day: the 2 and 3 December holiday falls only a week and a half before term ends. Parents with leave to spare often get more from adding days to the winter break than to National Day. See National Day 2026 holiday dates.
- Camps and childcare: winter camps in Dubai and Abu Dhabi book up from November. Three weeks is long enough that working parents need a plan.
- Fees: Term 2 invoices are normally due before the January return. See schooling costs.
Parents also ask
When does the winter break start in UAE schools in 2026?
The winter break starts on Monday 14 December 2026. The last day of school before it is Friday 11 December.
When do UAE schools reopen after the winter break?
Schools reopen on Monday 4 January 2027, which is the first day of Term 2.
How long is the UAE school winter break?
Three weeks, from 14 December 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Do Indian curriculum schools in the UAE get the same winter break?
Not necessarily. Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi curriculum schools are exempt from the unified calendar and set their own dates, so check with the school.
Published 5 October 2026. Dates from the Ministry of Education’s 2026–27 academic calendar as reported by WhichSchoolAdvisor and Gulf News. The flight and camp notes are general guidance, not quoted prices.
Earlier in the term: October half-term 2026 dates.
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