Hey Raha blog · Dubai school life
GEMS term dates 2026-27: half-term, holidays and key days
Most GEMS schools in Dubai follow the UAE unified calendar for 2026-27: school starts on Monday 31 August 2026, the October half-term is Monday 12 to Friday 16 October, winter break runs from Monday 14 December to Friday 1 January, spring break is Monday 5 to Friday 9 April, and the year ends on Friday 2 July 2027. Each GEMS school publishes its own approved calendar, so treat this as a map and check your school's dates.
Last updated: 11 October 2026
GEMS has dozens of schools across different curricula, and each one sets its own staff days, induction days and early finishes. Indian-curriculum schools and April-start schools run on a different year altogether. Your school's calendar (on its website, parent portal or KHDA profile) is the final word.
GEMS 2026-27 at a glance (September-start schools)
| What | Dates |
|---|---|
| First day of the year | Monday 31 August 2026 (some schools stagger the start over the first few days) |
| October half-term | Monday 12 to Friday 16 October 2026, back Monday 19 October (check your school's latest calendar) |
| Commemoration Day and National Day | Wednesday 2 to Friday 4 December 2026 |
| Last day of Term 1 | Friday 11 December 2026 |
| Winter break | Monday 14 December 2026 to Friday 1 January 2027 |
| Term 2 starts | Monday 4 January 2027 |
| Ramadan (expected) | from around Sunday 7 February 2027 |
| Eid Al Fitr (expected) | around Monday 8 to Friday 12 March 2027 |
| Last day of Term 2 | Friday 2 April 2027 |
| Spring break | Monday 5 to Friday 9 April 2027 |
| Term 3 starts | Monday 12 April 2027 |
| Eid Al Adha (expected) | around Monday 17 to Tuesday 18 May 2027 |
| Islamic New Year (expected) | around Sunday 6 June 2027 |
| Last day of the year | Friday 2 July 2027 |
Islamic holidays depend on the moon sighting and are confirmed close to the date.
Why your GEMS school might show different dates
- The October half-term moved. The Ministry of Education's unified calendar puts the break on 12 to 16 October. Some GEMS calendars published earlier in the year showed 19 to 23 October, and schools have been updating. If you saw both, go with the latest email from your school.
- Staggered starts and induction days. Some secondary schools bring in new year groups first and the rest a day or two later.
- Staff training days. These are set school by school and are often a half day or a day off for pupils.
- Different curricula. Indian-curriculum and other April-start GEMS schools follow their own year.
What to sort before half-term
- Check the last day. Is it a full day, a half day or a non-uniform day? Note the pick-up time.
- Empty the bag and the locker. PE kit, lunchbox, library books and anything growing in a water bottle.
- Tell your helper or nanny the plan. Who is home, which days, and when school starts again. A short WhatsApp with the dates is enough.
- Book camps and activities early. Popular half-term camps fill weeks ahead.
- Homework and reading. Ask what is set over the break so it isn't Sunday-night panic.
- Back-to-school morning. Uniform washed and the right kit for the first day back.
Holiday changes, early finishes and training days usually arrive by school email. Hey Raha reads your school emails and sends you and your helper one clear daily WhatsApp plan. Try Hey Raha free for 14 days.
Frequently asked questions
When is GEMS half-term in October 2026?
Most GEMS schools in Dubai follow the unified calendar, with the October half-term from Monday 12 to Friday 16 October 2026 and school back on Monday 19 October. Some schools first published 19 to 23 October, so check your school's latest calendar.
When is the GEMS winter break 2026?
Winter break runs from Monday 14 December 2026, with Term 2 starting on Monday 4 January 2027. Term 1 ends on Friday 11 December.
Do all GEMS schools have the same term dates?
No. Most September-start GEMS schools in Dubai follow the unified UAE calendar for the main breaks, but each school sets its own staff days, induction days and early finishes. April-start schools follow a different year.
When does the 2026-27 school year end for GEMS schools?
For September-start schools, the last day is Friday 2 July 2027.
Are Eid holidays fixed in the GEMS calendar?
No. Eid dates depend on the moon sighting and are confirmed close to the time. School calendars show expected dates.
A little help from Hey Raha
Dates change more than you'd think: a half-term moved by a week, a staff day added in a newsletter, an early finish mentioned in passing. Raha reads your school emails, read-only, and when a date changes she puts it straight into your daily plan on WhatsApp, and into your nanny's plan too. 14 days free, no card needed, then AED 39 a month or AED 299 a year.
Start freeMarie, founder of Hey Raha
Related: Dubai school holidays 2026-27 · Taaleem term dates · Aldar Academies term dates · Printable UAE school calendar · Nanny briefing template
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