UAE sets unified 2026-27 school dates, giving families long-term clarityLast updated: July 04, 2026 | 06:002 MIN READFind out when schools reopen after the summer holidays, how long the break lasts, the 2026-27 academic calendar and which schools follow the unified calendar (picture used for illustrative purposes only). Virendra Saklani/Gulf NewsDubai: The summer break has officially started in the UAE. Most private and public schools follow a unified calendar, and the UAE's Ministry of Education (MOE) has fixed this calendar for the next three academic years, including 2026-2027 - giving parents, students and schools greater clarity and predictability when planning for the holidays.Here's everything you need to know about the summer break holiday dates for the 2026-27 academic year.Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.When do summer holidays end and schools reopen?For schools following the UAE Ministry of Education calendar, the 2026-2027 academic year begins on Monday, August 31, 2026. Students return to class on that date.How long is the summer break this year?The 2025-2026 school year ended on July 3, 2026 for most schools following the unified calendar.Students return on August 31, 2026.That means the summer break is roughly eight weeks (about 59 days) for most students. Some international-curriculum schools may have slight variations.UAE academic calendar 2026-27DateEventAugust 31, 2026First day of schoolOctober 12-18, 2026First mid-term breakOctober 19, 2026Classes resumeDecember 14, 2026 - January 3, 2027Winter breakJanuary 4, 2027Classes resumeApril 5-11, 2027Spring breakApril 12, 2027Classes resumeJuly 2, 2027Last day of schoolLikely Eid holiday dates for 2027Eid Al FitrBased on the MOE calendar, schools are expected to observe Eid Al Fitr from March 8 to March 12, 2027. For the wider UAE public holiday, the exact dates will depend on moon sighting, but current astronomical projections place Eid Al Fitr around March 9-11, 2027, with official dates confirmed closer to the time.Eid Al AdhaThe Ministry of Education calendar lists the school Eid Al Adha break as May 15-18, 2027. For the UAE public holiday, the likely period is around May 16-19, 2027, subject to moon sighting and official confirmation.Note: These are only the predicted dates for the Eid holidays and are not confirmed; they may change based on the official announcement from the UAE moon sighting committee.Do all UAE schools have the same school calendar?Schools excluded from the new calendarPrivate schools in Sharjah are exempt and will continue following the emirate's existing regulatory framework. Parents should confirm dates directly with their school.Private schools following alternative curricula - such as Indian, Bangladeshi or Pakistani systems - are also not automatically covered. These schools may:Start and end the academic year at different timesHave different term break structuresLocal education authorities may allow certain private schools to divide a mid-term break between October and February, provided:The total break does not exceed five school daysIt aligns with operational requirementsAlso In This PackageRelated Topics:Get Updates on Topics You ChooseUp Next