In this article
UAE public holidays 2026
Every Dubai school, regardless of curriculum, closes on UAE federal public holidays. The headline 2026 dates, subject to lunar calendar adjustments, are:
| Holiday | Expected date(s) 2026 |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Thursday 1 January |
| Eid al-Fitr | Friday 20 March to Monday 23 March (3 to 5 days) |
| Arafat Day and Eid al-Adha | Wednesday 27 May to Saturday 30 May (3 to 4 days) |
| Hijri New Year | Wednesday 17 June |
| Prophet Muhammad's Birthday | Friday 25 September |
| Commemoration Day | Sunday 30 November |
| UAE National Day | Tuesday 1 December to Wednesday 2 December |
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha dates depend on the moon sighting and are confirmed by the UAE government one to two days ahead. Schools normally announce the practical adjustment within hours of the government decision. For families travelling, build flexibility into return flights when the holiday falls near a weekend.
British curriculum term dates 2025 to 2026 and 2026 to 2027
British schools in Dubai (GEMS Wellington, Dubai College, Jumeirah College, Repton, Brighton College, JESS, NLCS, Hartland and the rest of the GEMS, Taaleem and other groups) work to a 175 to 190 day academic year delivered across three terms with two half terms.
| Term | Dates |
|---|---|
| Spring term 2026 | Mon 5 January to Thu 26 March |
| Half term (spring) | Mon 16 February to Fri 20 February |
| Spring break | Fri 27 March to Sun 12 April |
| Summer term 2026 | Mon 13 April to Fri 3 July |
| Half term (summer) | Mon 25 May to Fri 29 May |
| Summer break | Sat 4 July to Sun 30 August |
| Autumn term 2026 | Mon 31 August to Fri 11 December |
| Half term (autumn) | Mon 19 October to Fri 23 October |
| Winter break | Sat 12 December to Sun 3 January 2027 |
Exact dates vary by school within a window of a few days. The KHDA mandates three official term breaks plus minimum instructional days; schools choose their own half-term placement around UAE public holidays. Confirm with your school's published calendar before booking travel.
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IB and IB-led schools term dates
IB schools in Dubai (Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills, GEMS World Academy, Dwight, Greenfield International, Uptown International and others) tend to follow a calendar very close to the British schools, with subtle differences:
- Slightly longer winter break, often three weeks rather than two
- An IB Diploma exam window in May, which lengthens revision week before
- End-of-year ceremonies for Grade 12 in late May, with the cohort finishing earlier than the rest of the school
The PYP and MYP year groups follow the standard three-term pattern with the same half-term spacing as British schools. Check our IB Diploma guide for the assessment cycle that drives the calendar.
American curriculum term dates
American curriculum schools in Dubai (Dubai American Academy, American School of Dubai, Universal American School, Collegiate American School and others) work to a two-semester model with shorter mid-semester breaks.
| Period | Dates |
|---|---|
| Semester 2 2025-26 | Mon 5 January to Fri 12 June |
| Spring break | Mon 30 March to Fri 10 April |
| Summer break | Sat 13 June to Sun 23 August |
| Semester 1 2026-27 | Mon 24 August to Fri 18 December |
| Fall break | Mon 19 October to Fri 23 October |
| Thanksgiving (observed) | Thu 26 November to Fri 27 November |
| Winter break | Sat 19 December to Sun 3 January 2027 |
Schools observing a US holiday calendar overlay add Martin Luther King Jr Day in January, Presidents' Day in February, Memorial Day around Eid al-Adha, and Veterans Day in November. Eid and National Day still take precedence over US observances for instructional days.
Travel planning across the calendar
Two practical observations for parents in Dubai. First, the spring break in late March or early April is when European destinations are most accessible by direct flight and prices are still pre-Easter; book by Christmas. Second, the autumn half term in late October sits next to most European autumn half terms, which makes Europe-bound family reunions easier but tightens long-haul flights. Eid al-Fitr in 2026 lands on a Friday, opening a natural long weekend without using term days. For UK families balancing visits to grandparents, our London school holidays 2026 piece shows the overlap clearly.
Common questions
Do all Dubai schools have the same term dates? No. Within each curriculum the dates align within a few days. Across curricula they diverge more, particularly in spring break and summer break length. Always check your specific school's published calendar.
When does the 2026 to 2027 academic year start? British and IB schools generally restart in the last week of August or first week of September. American schools restart around mid to late August. Confirm with the school's calendar.
Does Ramadan change the holiday calendar? Ramadan shortens the school day for the month but does not add or remove holidays. For the detail see our Ramadan and international schools 2026 piece.