When you have children, relocating to the UAE means getting familiar with a new schooling system and school calendar. Understanding how school terms and holidays work is a good place to start. It goes a long way in helping you and your kids feel settled after the big move.
In this Remitly guide, we’ll give you an overview of the UAE school calendar so that you can plan effectively for the academic year and make the most of every holiday.
Overview of the school year in the UAE
The school year in the UAE typically runs from late August or early September through to late June or early July each year. School days are usually from Monday to Friday. The structure of the academic year varies depending on what type of institution your child is enrolled in and the emirate where it’s located. However, most schools use the trimester system and divide the year into three terms.
School terms and breaks
The first term starts in late summer and runs to December, followed by a short winter break. January marks the start of the second term, which goes until late March when kids get to enjoy another short spring break. Finally, the third term carries students from the autumn months into summer and the summer break, usually lasting around eight weeks.
The academic year is structured in a way that helps balance learning with rest. This allows families—particularly those who have immigrated to the UAE—to plan holidays, travel, and visit family abroad.
Public holidays in the UAE
The UAE celebrates several public holidays and religious observances throughout the school year. While some dates are fixed, others vary slightly each year. This is especially true for Islamic holidays, like Eid and Ramadan, which are determined by moon cycles and sightings. Knowing when these special days fall will help you plan ahead, whether that’s booking travel or arranging childcare.
These are the public holidays and observances that are commonly recognised in schools across the UAE:
- New Year’s Day
- Eid al-Fitr
- Arafat Day
- Eid al-Adha
- Islamic New Year
- Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
- Commemoration Day
- UAE National Day
It’s also good to note that school hours are often reduced during Ramadan. Days are shortened, and schedules are adjusted to support students and staff who are fasting during this holy period.
The importance of understanding the school calendar in the UAE
It’s particularly important to stay on top of term and holiday dates to ensure that your child is in school when they’re supposed to be. This not only helps to keep their education on track, but it also ensures legal guardians avoid incurring hefty financial and other penalties.
Avoid taking children out of school early for holidays or returning them late at the start of the term. Under UAE law, parents who don’t allow their kids to attend school or fail to support their learning can be fined or face additional legal action.
Term dates and academic schedule for 2025
Term dates and academic schedules at UAE schools vary slightly depending on the curriculum followed by an institution. However, all schools must have at least 182 days in session per year.
Public school calendar 2025–2026
Government schools follow the academic calendar set by the Ministry of Education (MoE). The same calendar is followed across all seven emirates, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and beyond.
| Academic period | Start date | End date | Duration |
| Term 1 | 25 August 2025 | 12 December 2025 | 16 weeks |
| Winter break | 15 December 2025 | 4 January 2026 | 3 weeks |
| Term 2 | 5 January 2026 | 20 March 2026 | 11 weeks |
| Spring break | 23 March 2026 | 12 April 2026 | 3 weeks |
| Term 3 | 13 April 2026 | 2 July 2026 | 11 weeks |
| Summer break | 3 July 2026 | Late August 2026* | 8 weeks* |
*Estimate based on previous academic calendars, as dates have not yet been confirmed by the MoE.
Private and international school calendar for the 2025–2026 academic year
There are private and international schools with diverse curricula in the UAE, including:
- Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
- American international schools
- British international schools
- International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes
These schools might have more flexibility to create their own calendars than government institutions. However, they still need to fit 182 instructional days into their academic year.
Check out the table below for a general overview of the school calendar for the 2025 to 2026 academic year, based on previous years’ schedules. The dates may vary from one institution to another, so it’s best to get the official calendar from your child’s school.
| Curriculum | Academic year start | Winter break | Spring break | Academic year end |
| CBSE | Early April 2025 | Mid-December 2025 to early January 2026 | Mid-March 2026 (2 to 3 weeks) | Late March 2026 |
| British | Late August to early September 2025 | Mid-December 2025 to early January 2026 | Late March 2026
(2 to 3 weeks) |
Late June to early July 2026 |
| American | Late August to early September 2025 | Mid-December 2025 to early January 2026 | March/April 2026
(1 to 2 weeks) |
Late June 2026 |
| IB | Late August to early September 2025 | Mid-December 2025 to early January 2026 | March/April 2026
(2 to 3 weeks) |
Late June 2026 |
UAE public holidays and religious observances in 2025
Most public holidays will fall on weekdays, meaning a few extended weekends and mid-week breaks for students and parents. The exact dates for Islamic holidays like Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr, and Eid Al Adha depend on the Islamic lunar calendar. Thus, they are subject to change based on moon sightings throughout the year.
Here are the expected dates for public holidays and religious observances in 2025:
| Holiday | Dates | Day |
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Wednesday |
| Start of Ramadan | 28 February* | Friday* |
| Eid Al Fitr | 30 to 31 March* | Sunday to Monday* |
| Arafat Day | 5 to 6 June* | Thursday to Friday* |
| Eid Al Adha | 6 to 10 June* | Friday to Tuesday* |
| Islamic New Year | 25 to 26 June* | Wednesday to Thursday* |
| Mawlid, Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday | 4 to 5 September* | Thursday to Friday* |
| Commemoration Day | 1 December | Monday |
| UAE National Day | 2 December | Tuesday and Wednesday |
*Dates are subject to moon sightings
Check your child’s school calendar for confirmed closures, especially around Islamic holidays. Some institutions may adjust their term dates or break periods to accommodate these UAE school holidays.
Planning family activities around holidays
School holidays give kids a much-needed break to recharge. But they can also be the perfect opportunity to take vacations or travel back home after a long time away.
Temperatures soar in the UAE during summer break, which usually lasts around eight weeks. Many families use this time to visit friends and family abroad, explore cooler destinations, or attend summer festivals around the world. Be sure to book ahead to get a good deal on your international flights.
The shorter breaks, like the spring and winter holidays, are ideal for adventures closer to home. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of kid-friendly educational activities across the Emirates. Some things you could add to your holiday to-do list include:
- Visiting the Louvre Abu Dhabi or Dubai’s Museum of the Future.
- Appreciating nature at Sharjah Desert Park or Al Ain Zoo.
- Discovering Emirati heritage at Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi or the Heart of Sharjah.
- Enjoying interactive exhibits at OliOli or Children’s City in Dubai.
- Taking a weekend road trip to nearby Oman or Musandam.
Whatever your plans, remember that you can’t keep your children out of school outside of the permitted breaks. Doing so could result in a fine and other penalties.
Tips for parents and students for a successful school year
A new year often brings a mix of excitement and nerves for students and parents—especially if you’ve just moved to the UAE. Taking a bit of time to prepare before the school term starts can help make the transition smoother for everyone.
Figure out what to wear
Most Emirati schools require students to wear uniforms. The prescribed clothing items can usually be purchased directly from the school. Alternatively, you can find a list of approved suppliers on the institution’s website. Buying uniforms early is a good idea, as popular sizes tend to sell out quickly.
Get your supplies
Some schools provide textbooks and stationery directly to students, while others give parents a list of items they need to buy.
If you need to buy stationery yourself, you’ll find everything you need at specialist school supply shops like Early Learning Centre or Borders. There’s also the option of shopping online or at hypermarkets like Carrefour, Lulu, and Virgin Megastore for regular deals.
Set a routine
Besides gathering uniforms and supplies, start getting into a school-friendly routine as term time approaches.
Get your kids into bed at roughly the same time each evening and wake them up around the time they need to prepare for school. This will put everyone into the same rhythm when the academic year begins.
Finally, talk to your kids about what to expect when they get to school, as well as what they might be excited or nervous about. This can go a long way toward helping them feel more at ease when starting at a new school in a new country.
Additional resources and information
Whether you’re enrolling your child in school for the first time or you’ve done this all before, it’s helpful to know where you can find official updates and guidance. These key websites will help you keep up with term dates, educational guidelines, and other important information:
- Ministry of Education (MoE): Oversees government schools and sets the national education policy.
- Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA): Regulates private schools in Dubai.
- Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK): Manages private and charter schools in Abu Dhabi.
- Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA): Supervises private schools in Sharjah.
Plan your family’s future
The UAE is a great place to attend school and study abroad, but adjusting to a new education system and school calendar can take some time.
Keeping track of key dates can help you to ensure your kids are in school at the required time. You’ll also be able to maximise every break, fostering a better balance between education, work, and quality time together.
FAQs
What is the school cycle in UAE?
The UAE follows a K-12 education system. Children start school at the age of 4 or 5, depending on the curriculum of the school they’re attending. They must remain in formal education until the year that they turn 18.
What is the school calendar year in the UAE?
The school calendar year in the UAE typically starts in September and runs to June. It’s divided into three terms, which are separated by a winter break in December and a spring break around March or April.
What is the academic year for Dubai 2024–25?
For the 2024-25 academic year in Dubai, most schools started term one on 26 August 2024 and will conclude term three by late June to early July 2025. This period includes a winter break, which ran from 16 December 2024 to 5 January 2026, and a spring break that will run from March 2025 to mid-April.
How long is the summer break in the UAE?
The summer break in the UAE is usually around eight weeks, starting in late June or early July and ending in late August or early September. The exact dates will depend on the curriculum that a school follows.