UAE school breaks 2026-27: how long each one lasts
Under the Ministry of Education calendar, the 2026-27 year has four breaks. Three are a single school week, which becomes nine days off once the weekends either side are counted, and one, the winter break, is much longer. This page is about trip planning: how many days each break gives you and what that suits.
Break lengths at a glance
| Break | Dates | School days off | Days away with weekends | Classes resume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October mid-term | 12 to 16 October 2026 | 5 | 9 | 19 October |
| Winter break | 14 December 2026 to 1 January 2027 | 19 weekdays | 23, from Saturday 12 December to Sunday 3 January | 4 January |
| Eid Al Fitr (as reported) | 8 to 12 March 2027 | 5 | 9 | After the break |
| Spring break | 5 to 9 April 2027 | 5 | 9 | 12 April |
The weekend-inclusive figures assume a Saturday and Sunday on each side of a Monday to Friday break. The winter break was shortened under the new calendar, so check dates before booking long trips. The year ends on 2 July 2027.
Which break suits which trip
| Break | Suits | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| October mid-term | A short trip within the region | Nine days leaves little slack for long-haul flights |
| Winter break | A long trip abroad, the only break of nearly three weeks | Dates were shortened under the new calendar, so confirm before booking |
| Eid Al Fitr | Family time and short regional trips | The exact dates depend on the moon sighting, and it falls before the school-based final assessments of 22 March to 2 April |
| Spring break | A short trip, or a break before the third term | Classes resume on 12 April with the third term’s assessments close behind |
Planning tips
- Send leave requests early, because breaks across the country fall in the same weeks.
- Book flights once your school confirms its own dates. Schools with Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi curricula, and Sharjah schools, follow different calendars.
- Keep dates for refundable bookings until Eid is confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
Which break is the longest?
The winter break, from 14 December 2026 to 1 January 2027, with classes resuming on 4 January.
Can Eid dates change?
Yes. Eid depends on the moon sighting, so confirm closer to the date.
Where to go next
- Full 2026-27 school calendar
- Exam and assessment calendar by term
- Summer break and year length for Dubai private schools
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Related guides
- UAE School Exam and Assessment Calendar 2026-27: 185 Teaching Days by Term
- UAE School Mobile Phone Rules: What Happens If a Student Brings a Phone
- Dubai and UAE School Calendar 2026-27: Term Dates, Breaks and Holidays
- UAE Public Schools 2026-27: No Homework for KG to Grade 2 and Other Changes
- Dubai Private Schools 2026-27: Summer Break, Year Length and Mid-Term Rules
