Dubai school winter break 2026-27: 14 December to 3 January

Dubai families can now plan around a fixed winter holiday: private schools on the September-start calendar close on Monday 14 December 2026 and reopen on Monday 4 January 2027, according to Gulf News and Khaleej Times.

Key dates

Gulf News reported on 3 November that the last day of classes is Friday 11 December 2026. The break then runs for three weeks, including weekends, and ends on Sunday 3 January 2027. Pupils return to class on Monday 4 January 2027.

Khaleej Times, in an earlier calendar guide from August, cited the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) as the source of the Dubai private school dates and gave the same start and return days.

Who is covered

Gulf News said the same dates apply to Dubai private schools, which the KHDA regulates, and to private schools in Sharjah that fall under the Sharjah Private Education Authority. It added that public schools following the Ministry of Education calendar share the break and start their second term on 4 January.

Schools on a different calendar

Not every school follows the same pattern. Gulf News noted that schools on an April-start academic year may have different term dates and holidays. Khaleej Times, however, described the Dubai private school break as applying to both April-start and September-start schools. Because the two outlets differ on this point, parents of children at April-start schools are better off checking the calendar their own school has issued.

What it means for residents

A three-week gap affects more than classrooms. Families booking flights over the festive period will want to confirm their child's last day of term before paying for non-refundable tickets, since some schools may finish earlier or later than the published dates. Employers with staff who are parents may also see higher leave requests in the second half of December.

Holiday camps, tutoring centres and tourist attractions in Dubai typically see more demand when schools close, so early booking can help families secure places and avoid peak pricing.

Parents should treat the school's own circular as the final word on any variation.