The UAE operates a unified school calendar for both public and private schools. The current 2025-2026 academic year runs until 3 July 2026. The 2026-2027 academic year begins on 26 August 2026 for September-start schools. Below is the complete calendar with all term dates, breaks, holidays, and key events.
KEY DATES AT A GLANCE
- Current year ends: Friday 3 July 2026
- Next year starts: Wednesday 26 August 2026
- Upcoming break: Eid Al Adha — 25–31 May 2026
- Friday early finish: All Dubai private schools end by 11:30 AM on Fridays
- Calendar type: Unified (public + private schools)
2025–2026 Academic Year — Complete Calendar
This is the current academic year. The unified calendar applies to all schools in the UAE, regardless of curriculum.
| Period | Dates | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Mon 25 Aug – Sun 7 Dec 2025 | ~15 weeks |
| Mid-term Break 1 | Mon 13 – Sun 19 Oct 2025 | 1 week |
| Winter Break | Mon 8 Dec 2025 – Sun 4 Jan 2026 | 4 weeks |
| Term 2 | Mon 5 Jan – Sun 15 Mar 2026 | ~10 weeks |
| Mid-term Break 2 | Wed 11 – Sun 15 Feb 2026 | 5 days |
| Spring Break / Eid al-Fitr | Mon 16 – Sun 29 Mar 2026 | 2 weeks |
| Term 3 | Mon 30 Mar – Fri 3 Jul 2026 | ~14 weeks |
| Mid-term Break 3 / Eid Al Adha | Mon 25 – Sun 31 May 2026 | 1 week |
| Last Day of School | Friday 3 July 2026 | — |
2026–2027 Academic Year — Provisional Dates
The following dates are provisional based on the Ministry of Education's forward planning. The official confirmed calendar is typically published mid-year. These dates cover September-start schools (the majority in Dubai).
| Milestone | Provisional Date |
|---|---|
| April-start schools begin | Wed 1 April 2026 |
| September-start schools begin | Wed 26 August 2026 |
| Term 1 mid-term break | TBC (typically October) |
| Winter break | TBC (typically mid-Dec to early Jan) |
| Ramadan begins (approx.) | ~8 February 2027 |
| September-start schools end | Sun 27 June 2027 |
GetYourTutors will update this page with the confirmed 2026-2027 calendar as soon as it is officially published by the Ministry of Education. Bookmark this page and check back.
Ramadan & Eid Timing
Ramadan 2026 (Current Year)
Ramadan 2026 began approximately 19 February 2026, with Eid al-Fitr falling around 20 March 2026. During Ramadan, school days are reduced to approximately 5 hours (down from the usual 7), and all Dubai private schools end by 11:30 AM on Fridays (this rule continues year-round — see below).
The spring break (16-29 March) overlapped with the tail end of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, giving students a full 2-week break covering the most intensive fasting period and the celebration.
Ramadan 2027 (Next Year)
Ramadan shifts approximately 10 days earlier each year. Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February 2027. Schools should publish adjusted timings closer to the date.
For study strategies during Ramadan, see our guide: Studying During Ramadan — Practical Tips for UAE Students.
Friday Early Finish Rule
From January 2026, KHDA introduced a rule that all Dubai private schools must finish no later than 11:30 AM on Fridays. This applies year-round, not just during Ramadan. The rule was introduced to align with the UAE's 4.5-day work week and give families more time together on Fridays.
This affects after-school activities, tutoring schedules, and weekend planning. If you're booking a tutor through GetYourTutors, Friday afternoons are now available for additional study sessions.
Exam Season Within the Calendar
Major external exams fall during Term 3 (March–July). Here's how they fit within the school calendar:
| Exam | Period | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge IGCSE | 23 Apr – 9 Jun 2026 | Full timetable → |
| IB Diploma (May) | 24 Apr – 20 May 2026 | Coming soon |
| AP Exams | 4 – 15 May 2026 | Coming soon |
| Cambridge A-Level | 23 Apr – 23 Jun 2026 | Coming soon |
| Eid Al Adha break | 25 – 31 May 2026 | During exam season |
Important: The Eid Al Adha break (25-31 May) falls in the middle of exam season. Students taking Sciences will have multiple choice papers in the first week of June immediately after returning from the break. Plan revision accordingly.
What Should Parents Plan For?
- Book tutoring before exam season. Term 3 starts 30 March — exams begin just 3.5 weeks later on 23 April. If your child needs support, arrange a tutor now rather than waiting until exam stress peaks.
- Use the Eid Al Adha break wisely. The 25-31 May break is a crucial revision window for students with Science multiple choice papers in early June. Create a structured revision plan for the break rather than treating it as pure holiday.
- Plan summer learning. The gap between the last day of school (3 July) and the new academic year (26 August) is nearly 8 weeks. Students who fall behind during the year can use this period for catch-up tutoring. GetYourTutors' full-time professional tutors are available throughout the summer.
- Check your child's exam timetable. Download the personalised timetable from your school. Use our free Learning Gaps Assessment to identify which subjects need the most revision focus.
SOURCES
- KHDA — Academic Calendar for Dubai Private Schools
- UAE Ministry of Education — Academic Calendar 2025-2026
- UAE Government Portal — School Education Academic Year
Last verified: March 2026. Calendar dates may be subject to change — always verify with your school.