Dubai School Calendar Changes: Students To Get 9 Days Off In October 2026

Dubai families planning their autumn holidays may need to revisit their calendars after the UAE’s official 2026–27 academic schedule confirmed an October mid-term break earlier than some previously published school calendars had indicated.

Under the Ministry of Education’s approved calendar, the first-semester mid-term break for students will run from Monday, October 12, to Sunday, October 18, 2026, with schools reopening on Monday, October 19. That gives students nine consecutive days away from school, including the two weekends surrounding the break.

For parents who may already have been considering flights, hotels, childcare or short getaways based on an earlier school schedule, it is worth checking the latest calendar issued by your child’s school before making bookings.

When Is The October School Break In Dubai?

The official October mid-term holiday is scheduled as follows:

The official Ministry calendar lists October 12–16 as the mid-term break for students, with the weekend extending the overall time away from school through October 18. So, for families following the applicable calendar, children effectively have nine consecutive days off from October 10 through October 18.

Read More: Back-to-School Offers in the UAE: 9 Places Parents Can Save on School Essentials This August

Why Has The October Break Changed?

The dates are part of the UAE Ministry of Education’s new three-year academic calendar, covering the 2026–27, 2027–28 and 2028–29 academic years. The Ministry announced the calendar in February 2026 as part of an effort to provide greater stability and allow schools and families to plan further in advance.

For the 2026–27 academic year, the Ministry confirmed:

• School year begins: August 31, 2026
• First-semester mid-term break: October 12–18, 2026
• Schools resume: October 19, 2026
• Winter break: December 14, 2026–January 3, 2027
• Schools resume after winter break: January 4, 2027
• Spring break: April 5–11, 2027
• Academic year ends: July 2, 2027

Does The New October Break Apply To Every Dubai School?

Not necessarily. The Ministry says the 2026–27 calendar applies to public schools and private schools following the Ministry of Education curriculum. Other private schools can have some flexibility around their mid-term breaks, subject to approval from the relevant local education authority.

Private schools that follow international curricula may therefore have different arrangements. This is particularly important in Dubai, where private schools operate under a range of different curricula.

What About Schools Following International Curricula?

The Ministry has allowed eligible private schools that do not follow the Ministry curriculum to adjust their mid-term breaks in October and/or February, subject to the applicable approval and scheduling requirements.

The total mid-term break adjustment cannot exceed the permitted five school days, while Sharjah private schools are subject to separate arrangements. Parents should therefore treat the Ministry calendar as the official reference for schools to which it applies, but always check their child’s individual school calendar before making travel plans.

Will Dubai Schools Close For The Entire Nine Days?

For students following the official calendar, the school holiday runs through Sunday, October 18, with classes resuming Monday, October 19.

The nine-day period includes:

• Five weekdays covered by the mid-term break
• The Saturday and Sunday immediately before the break
• The Saturday and Sunday immediately after it

That is why the break effectively creates a nine-day window for families, even though the official mid-term holiday itself covers five school days.

Is There A UAE Public Holiday In September 2026?

There is no UAE-wide public holiday scheduled in September 2026. The next major nationwide public holiday after the August Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday holiday is UAE National Day, which falls on December 2 and 3. Parents planning autumn trips therefore have the October school break as the next significant school holiday period before the winter break.

When Does The UAE Winter School Break Start?

The winter break for students begins on Monday, December 14, 2026, according to the Ministry’s official 2026–27 calendar. Students return to school on Monday, January 4, 2027. That means the winter holiday stretches across the Christmas and New Year period, making it another important window for families planning international travel. The official student winter break is listed as December 14, 2026, to January 3, 2027.

What Parents Should Do Before Booking Travel

If you were previously working from an older school calendar, now is a good time to check the latest version.

Before booking flights or accommodation, parents should:

1. Check the school’s latest academic calendar.
2. Confirm which curriculum the school follows.
3. Check whether the school has an approved variation to the national calendar.
4. Confirm the exact return-to-school date.
5. Check whether extracurricular activities or school programmes operate during the break.

This is especially important for international-curriculum schools, where holiday dates may differ from the Ministry schedule.

Dubai School Calendar 2026–27: Key Dates

Public holiday dates and arrangements should be checked against the latest official UAE announcement.

The Bottom Line

Dubai families following the applicable UAE Ministry of Education calendar can look forward to a nine-day break in October 2026, running from Saturday, October 10, through Sunday, October 18, with students returning to school on Monday, October 19. The change is part of the UAE’s new three-year academic calendar rather than a last-minute holiday announcement. However, not every Dubai private school necessarily follows the exact same dates, so parents should check the latest calendar from their child’s school before booking travel or other October plans.

For families who can take advantage of the break, the nine-day window offers a useful opportunity for a short UAE staycation, international trip or simply some extra time at home before the winter holidays arrive.