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When open days run in 2026
Start with the full list of schools in our international schools in Dubai directory, then plan your visits around the city's rhythm. Dubai schools admit on a rolling basis, so open mornings and tours run across the year rather than on one date, but they cluster at two points: the autumn, roughly October to November, when families begin researching the next September, and again in January and February, the busy run-up to the main intake. Many schools also offer year-round private tours by appointment, which is often the better option because you see a normal teaching day rather than a staged event.
| Window | What happens |
|---|---|
| September to October 2026 | Autumn open mornings as families research the next year |
| January to February 2026 | Peak visit season before the main September intake |
| Year round | Private tours and virtual walkthroughs by appointment |
These windows are a guide, not fixed dates, since each school sets its own calendar of events. Always check the admissions page of a specific school for its next open morning or tour slot.
Virtual tours and online visits
If you are relocating and cannot visit in person, Dubai schools are well set up for it. Most now offer virtual options alongside on-site visits, including 360-degree campus tours and online admissions meetings, so you can see the sports halls, libraries, science labs and classrooms and put your questions to the admissions team from home. A virtual tour is a sensible first filter before you fly in for the schools that make your shortlist, and during any period of campus closure it keeps the process moving.
Shortlist before you visit
Visit fewer, better-matched schools. The school finder filters Dubai schools by curriculum, area and stage so your open-day list is focused.
Use the school finderHow to book a visit
Open mornings and private tours are almost always by registration through the school's admissions page, both to manage numbers and to match you with the right staff for your child's stage. Book early for the most sought after schools, since visit slots near the September intake fill quickly, and have your dates ready so you can cluster several visits into one trip if you are flying in. A visit usually sits before, not after, the formal application, so use it to confirm whether your child's year group is open and to gauge fit before you pay any registration fee. For the timing of the application itself, see our Dubai admissions deadlines 2026 page.
What to look for on the day
Treat the visit as research, not a sales pitch. Ask whether your child's year group is open or on a waiting list, how the assessment works, and the all-in annual cost including registration, deposit and the extras that sit outside tuition, which our guide to international school fees in Dubai sets out. Look at the curriculum and examination pathway, class sizes and staff turnover, and the feel of the corridors during lessons. For senior families, ask about the university and careers guidance team and where recent leavers went, which our shortlist of the best schools for university preparation in Dubai explains in more depth. The schools that answer plainly are usually the ones worth shortlisting.
Dubai school open days 2026: FAQ
Dubai schools run tours and open mornings throughout the year rather than on one fixed date, but visits cluster in the autumn, from October to November, and again in January and February ahead of the main September intake. Many schools also offer year-round private tours by appointment, so contact the admissions office for the next available slot.
Yes. Most Dubai international schools now offer virtual options alongside in-person visits, including 360-degree campus tours and online admissions meetings that let you see sports halls, libraries, science labs and classrooms from home. These are useful for relocating families who cannot visit before applying.
Usually yes. Open mornings and private tours are almost always by registration through the school's admissions page, both to manage numbers and to match you with the right staff. Book early for popular schools, as visit slots near the September intake fill quickly.
Ask whether your child's year group is open or on a waiting list, how the assessment works, the all-in fee including registration and extras, the curriculum and examination pathway, and the staff turnover and class sizes. For senior families, ask about the university guidance team and recent destinations.
No. Beyond scheduled open mornings, most schools arrange individual tours by appointment throughout the year, and many run virtual tours and online consultations. If a school's open day has passed, contact admissions directly to book a private visit or a virtual walkthrough.