Doha School Holidays 2026

Qatar public holidays 2026

Every school in Doha closes on Qatar's national public holidays. The headline 2026 dates, with Islamic holidays subject to moon sighting, are below.

Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha depend on the lunar calendar and are confirmed by the Amiri Diwan one to two days ahead. National Sports Day falls on the second Tuesday of February each year. Schools normally announce the practical adjustment within hours of the official decree, so build flexibility into travel that brackets these dates.

Ministry term dates 2025 to 2026 and 2026 to 2027

Qatar's Ministry of Education and Higher Education sets a two-semester year that applies to all public and private schools. The mid-year break is fixed in the last third of December to unify the rhythm across the country. The confirmed 2025-26 shape is below.

The multi-year calendar gives Qatar an unusual advantage: the 2026-27 framework is already approved, with the new year starting at the end of August 2026 after the 29 August summer finish. Exact day-level dates for second-semester exams are confirmed by the Ministry closer to the time. Qatar's national framework is set out in our Qatar country guide.

International school term dates

Most expat families in Doha choose international schools. These follow the Ministry's semester framework for holidays but shape their own teaching calendar:

• British curriculum schools (Doha College, Doha British School, Compass, Sherborne Qatar and others) run a three-term year from early September to early July, with October, February and spring breaks aligned to the Ministry mid-year break.
• American and IB schools (American School of Doha, Qatar Academy, ACS Doha) work a two-semester model from late August to mid June, with a fall break and a winter break.
• All sectors observe National Day, National Sports Day and both Eids, so these national dates close every school regardless of curriculum.

Because the Ministry mandates the mid-year break, Doha's international schools cluster their winter holiday in the same late-December to mid-January window, which makes family travel planning simpler than in cities where schools diverge. For the curriculum landscape, see our curriculum guides.

Planning the year

Three practical notes for Doha. First, the fixed mid-year break in late December lines up with the European Christmas holidays, so flights to Europe are in peak demand; book by October. Second, international school fees are billed by term or semester, so the late-August restart is when the larger invoice falls; our international school fees in Doha guide covers the tiers and timing. Third, the cooler months from November to March are when Doha hosts most major events, and National Sports Day in February is a genuine family day out rather than a travel window. IB and A-level exam season runs through May, overlapping Eid al-Adha, so confirm any clash before booking.

Common questions

When do schools break up in Doha? The mid-year break ran from 28 December 2025 to 11 January 2026. The summer break begins on 1 July 2026. International schools on a British calendar may finish a little earlier.

How long is the summer holiday in Doha? The Ministry summer break runs from 1 July to 29 August 2026, about eight weeks. International schools take a similar or slightly longer summer.

When does the 2026 to 2027 school year start in Doha? The Ministry calendar starts the new year at the end of August 2026. International schools start in late August or early September.

Is Qatar National Sports Day a school holiday? Yes. It falls on the second Tuesday of February, which is 10 February 2026, and closes schools across Qatar.

Related guides

• Doha city guide
• International school fees in Doha
• Qatar country guide