UAE School Winter Break 2026-2027: Holidays Start December 14 and Classes Resume January 4

Students on the standard September-start calendar have a three-week UAE school winter break from Monday, December 14, 2026 to Sunday, January 3, 2027, and return on Monday, January 4. Some private schools on other calendars, especially April-start schools, follow different dates.

As the first term draws to a close, many families across the UAE are already planning around the UAE school holidays. In this guide, we set out the UAE school winter break for 2026-2027 in full: the key dates, what applies to public schools, Dubai private schools and Sharjah private schools, why some schools differ, and what the next school calendars look like. We credit the original reports at the end.

UAE School Winter Break 2026-2027 at a Glance

• Last school day: Friday, December 11, 2026
• Winter break begins: Monday, December 14, 2026
• Winter break ends: Sunday, January 3, 2027
• Schools reopen: Monday, January 4, 2027
• Length: three full weeks, including weekends, before students return for the second term

These dates apply to schools following the September-start academic calendar.

1. Ministry of Education Schools: UAE School Winter Break Dates

Public schools across the UAE follow the academic calendar issued by the Ministry of Education (MoE). Under the 2026-2027 calendar, the winter break begins on Monday, December 14, 2026 and continues until Sunday, January 3, 2027. Students return on Monday, January 4, 2027, which starts the second academic term. The Ministry's calendar also applies to private schools that follow its curriculum. Official information is published by the Ministry of Education.

2. Dubai Private Schools: KHDA UAE School Winter Break Dates

Private schools in Dubai are regulated by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), which publishes academic calendar requirements for schools in the emirate. For schools following the September-start calendar, the UAE school winter break runs from December 14, 2026 to January 3, 2027, with classes resuming on January 4. Parents should check their school's approved academic calendar, particularly if their children attend a school on an April-start academic year. See the KHDA for official announcements, and our report on the KHDA AI policy for Dubai schools for other changes in private education.

3. Sharjah Private Schools: SPEA UAE School Winter Break Dates

Private schools in Sharjah fall under the supervision of the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA). For schools following the 2026-2027 September-start calendar, the winter holiday is scheduled to begin on December 14, with students returning on January 4, 2027. Parents are advised to refer to their school's academic calendar for any school-specific arrangements or updates. Gulf News also notes that private schools in Sharjah are subject to separate regulatory arrangements.

4. Do All Schools Follow the Same UAE School Winter Break?

No. The December 14 to January 3 holiday applies to schools following the standard September-start calendar, while some private schools operate on different academic schedules. This is particularly relevant for schools on an April-start academic year, where term dates and holidays may differ. Parents should check the calendar published by their child's school before finalising travel plans or booking holidays.

Why Some Schools Have a Different UAE School Winter Break

According to Gulf News, Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi curriculum schools begin their academic year in April. They follow slightly different internal schedules while meeting the mandatory instructional requirements set by education authorities, including the KHDA, Abu Dhabi's Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), the SPEA and the MoE.

• The KHDA requires private schools in Dubai to complete a minimum of 182 instructional days
• The Ministry of Education requires at least 185 teaching days
• Local education authorities may approve exceptions for private schools operating other curricula, such as splitting the mid-term break between October and February, with the total not exceeding five school days

Families with children at schools on other curricula should confirm dates with the school, not assume the Ministry's calendar applies. Check ADEK for Abu Dhabi schools.

What Follows the UAE School Winter Break: Spring Break and the End of the Year

Under the approved 2026-2027 calendar, the current school year began on August 31, 2026. After the UAE school winter break, the next dates are:

• Spring break: April 5 to April 11, 2027, with classes resuming on April 12
• Final school day of the academic year: July 2, 2027

UAE School Calendars for 2027-2028 and 2028-2029

The Ministry of Education has announced the calendars for the next two years, so families can plan UAE school holidays further ahead. The dates below are as reported by Gulf News.

• 2027-2028: the year begins on August 30, 2027. The first-term mid-term break runs from October 11 to 17, with students returning on October 18. The UAE school winter break runs from December 13, 2027 to January 2, 2028, with classes resuming on January 3. Spring break is from March 27 to April 2, 2028, with a return on April 3. The year ends on June 30, 2028
• 2028-2029: the year begins on August 28, 2028. The first mid-term break is from October 16 to 22, with classes resuming on October 23. The UAE school winter break runs from December 11, 2028 to January 1, 2029, with students returning on January 2. Spring break is in late March and early April, with a return on April 2, 2029. The final day of the year is June 29, 2029

The Ministry introduced the three-year calendar to give schools, teachers, students and parents a more predictable schedule. It sets the start and end of each school year, major holidays and assessment periods.

Planning Travel Around the UAE School Winter Break

• Find your child's school calendar, and compare calendars if you have children at different schools
• Check whether your school follows the September-start or April-start year before choosing dates
• Book flights and hotels only after the dates are confirmed, because some private schools publish updates (this tip is ours)
• Allow for the return date, Monday, January 4, when planning your flights back
• See our guides to UAE public holidays, Ramadan and Eid dates for 2027 and the Dubai airport guide
• For other school-related holidays this month, read our guide to Diwali 2026 in the UAE

UAE School Winter Break FAQs

When does the UAE school winter break end in 2026-2027?

On Sunday, January 3, 2027. Classes resume on Monday, January 4, 2027.

Which authority regulates Dubai private schools' winter break dates?

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), which publishes academic calendar requirements for private schools in Dubai.

Why do some UAE schools have different winter break dates?

Some private schools operate on different academic schedules, particularly those on an April-start academic year, where term dates and holidays may differ.

When is the last school day before the UAE school winter break?

Friday, December 11, 2026.

When is the next break after the UAE school winter break?

Spring break runs from April 5 to April 11, 2027, with classes resuming on April 12.

Conclusion: Plan Around the UAE School Winter Break Early

UAE school winter break for 2026-2027 runs from December 14 to January 3, with classes back on January 4 for schools on the September-start calendar. Check your own school's calendar, especially for April-start years, before you book. With the Ministry's calendars published to 2029, families can plan holidays well in advance.