Hey Raha blog · School calendars
Ramadan school timings in Saudi Arabia 2027: dates, hours and Eid breaks
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on or around Monday 8 February 2027 in Saudi Arabia, subject to the official moon sighting. The Ministry hasn't announced 2027 school hours yet. Below is what it set for Ramadan 2026, which is the best guide to what schools will start from, plus the expected Eid dates.
Ramadan changes the whole family's day: a later start, an earlier pick-up, different work hours and later evenings. Here's what's confirmed, what isn't, and how to keep the school run and your helper's routine on track.
Ramadan 2027 and the Saudi Arabia school calendar
| What | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Ramadan begins | Expected around Monday 8 February 2027 | UNCONFIRMED, subject to moon sighting |
| Eid al-Fitr | Expected Tuesday 9 or Wednesday 10 March 2027 | UNCONFIRMED, subject to moon sighting |
The full year is in our Saudi school holidays 2026-27.
What was set for schools in Ramadan 2026
In Ramadan 1447 (2026), the Ministry of Education let each regional education directorate set the start of the school day between 9am and 10am, with lessons of about 35 minutes. The Ministry used the same flexible approach in earlier years. Reported 2026 start times included:
| Region (education directorate) | First lesson, Ramadan 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Makkah region | 9am | Makkah education directorate, reported by Sabq, 15 Feb 2026 |
| Taif | 9am, 35-minute lessons | Taif education directorate (moe.gov.sa), 14 Feb 2026 |
| Madinah, Eastern Region, Jazan, Asir, Al Jouf | 9.30am | Ajel, 14 Feb 2026 |
| Tabuk | 9.45am | Ajel, 14 Feb 2026 |
| Northern Borders | 10am | Ajel, 14 Feb 2026 |
| Riyadh | Not found in our sources | UNCONFIRMED |
International and private schools usually follow the Ministry's direction on start times and then publish their own Ramadan timetable by email.
Eid al-Fitr 2027 and school breaks
- Eid al-Fitr break: the Ministry calendar starts it on Friday 26 February 2027, and it is reported to run to Saturday 13 March, with students back on Sunday 14 March. The end date is UNCONFIRMED.
- That means only about the first three weeks of Ramadan are school days. Details are in our Saudi school holidays 2026-27 guide.
- Founding Day (22 February) falls inside Ramadan; the calendar lists a related long weekend from 19 February.
Compare other Gulf countries
Ramadan hours differ across the Gulf: Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, plus Qatar and the UAE.
New timings arrive by email. Raha reads them.
Ramadan timetables usually land a few days before the month starts, and change again around Eid. Hey Raha reads your school emails, read-only. When a new pick-up time or a moved Eid break arrives, she spots the change, updates your family plan and tells you on WhatsApp. Your nanny or helper gets her own version, without fees or private notes.
Try Hey Raha free for 14 daysYour nanny or helper's Ramadan routine
- Update the weekly plan as soon as the school's Ramadan timetable arrives.
- Rethink lunch if the children are home by early afternoon.
- Check the workload adds up. Late iftars and early starts can squeeze rest time. Agree hours and the weekly day off clearly.
- Be considerate if your helper is fasting.
- Plan the Eid break together, including any leave, once the official dates are out.
After-school clubs often pause or move in Ramadan; see our Riyadh kids' activities guide. For a weekly routine your helper can follow, see our Saudi nanny briefing guide and free briefing template. For the flood of timetable messages, see our GCC school emails survival guide.
A Ramadan 2027 planning timeline
- Now: pencil in Ramadan from about 8 February 2027 and Eid around 9 or 10 March. Both UNCONFIRMED.
- January: talk to your employer about Ramadan working hours, and to your helper about the change in routine.
- Early February: watch for the Ministry's announcement, then your school's timetable email.
- Early March: look for the Eid closure email and the official holiday announcement.
FAQ
When does Ramadan 2027 start in Saudi Arabia?
It is expected to start on or around Monday 8 February 2027, based on astronomical calculations. The official date depends on the moon sighting.
What are school timings in Saudi Arabia during Ramadan?
The 2027 hours haven't been announced. This page lists what was set for Ramadan 2026, which is the best guide. Private schools set their own Ramadan hours and email parents.
When is Eid al-Fitr 2027 in Saudi Arabia?
It is expected on Tuesday 9 or Wednesday 10 March 2027, subject to the moon sighting. The official holiday is announced close to the date.
Do private schools follow the Ministry's Ramadan hours?
Not always. Many private and international schools publish their own Ramadan timetable, often by year group. Check your school's email.
Sources
- Saudi Ministry of Education, flexible Ramadan school day (moe.gov.sa media centre)
- Taif education directorate, Ramadan 1447 timings, 14 Feb 2026
- Sabq, Makkah education Ramadan 1447 timings, 15 Feb 2026
- Ajel, regional start times Ramadan 1447, 14 Feb 2026
- International Astronomical Center, Ramadan 1448 crescent visibility
- Khaleej Times, likely 2027 dates from the UAE Astronomy Centre
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