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February Half-Term and Spring Break 2027 in Dubai and the UAE

By Marie Adly · 20 October 2026

UAE spring break 2027 runs from Monday 5 April to Sunday 11 April 2027, with classes back on Monday 12 April, for public schools and private schools on the unified calendar, including Dubai's September-start private schools. There is no national February half-term in 2027. Some private schools that don't follow the Ministry of Education curriculum have split their five-day October break and kept a day or two for February, so whether you get a February break depends entirely on your school.

Last updated: 20 October 2026

Every year someone in the class group asks "is it half-term next week?" in February. This year the answer really is different school by school, so here's how to tell.

UAE spring break 2027 dates

The Ministry of Education's three-year academic calendar, announced on 23 February 2026, sets these dates for 2026-27:

WhatDates
Spring breakMonday 5 April to Sunday 11 April 2027
Back to schoolMonday 12 April 2027
Last day of the school yearFriday 2 July 2027

KHDA's calendar for Dubai private schools starting in September lists the start of spring break on 5 April 2027 and the return on 12 April 2027 for all schools. The school days inside the break are Monday 5 to Friday 9 April, which is why many schools list it as "5 to 9 April".

Abu Dhabi private schools on the unified calendar have the same spring break. For school-by-school detail, see our Abu Dhabi term dates and Sharjah term dates.

Is there a February half-term in Dubai in 2027?

Not across the board. The Ministry of Education says local education authorities can let private schools that don't follow the MoE curriculum divide the first-term mid-term break between October and February, as long as the total is no more than five school days. Private schools in Sharjah are the exception and follow Sharjah's own framework.

So in practice:

Your school's KHDA-approved calendar is the final word. You can find it on your school's KHDA profile, or in the calendar the school sent home in September.

Which UAE schools have a February 2027 break (examples)

These are from the schools' own published 2026-27 calendars, checked on 20 October 2026. They're examples, not a full list.

SchoolOctober 2026February 2027March or April 2027
Dubai American Academy (GEMS), DubaiOctober break 14 to 16 OctoberFebruary break 11 and 12 February, back Monday 15 FebruaryEid Al Fitr 8 to 12 March (expected); spring break 5 to 9 April
Repton School DubaiHalf-term 12 to 16 OctoberNo February half-term listedEid Al Fitr listed as Monday 8 and Friday 12 March (provisional); spring term ends Friday 2 April, back Monday 12 April
British International School Abu Dhabi (Nord Anglia)Autumn half-term 12 to 16 OctoberNo February break listedSpring half-term 8 to 12 March; spring holiday 5 to 9 April

For group-wide dates, we keep separate pages for GEMS, Taaleem and Aldar Academies. GEMS schools don't all share one calendar, so "GEMS half-term" can mean different days at different GEMS schools.

February dates tend to arrive as a calendar update email in January.

Hey Raha reads your school emails, adds the change to your family plan and WhatsApps you and your helper when a date moves.

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Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr 2027 in UAE schools

These are expected dates. Islamic dates depend on the moon sighting and will be confirmed nearer the time.

Unconfirmed: KHDA hasn't announced Ramadan 2027 school hours yet. Our Ramadan 2027 school timings page covers what happened last year and what to expect.

Spring break at April-start and Indian-curriculum schools in Dubai

Looking ahead: spring break 2028 in the UAE

If you're already pricing flights, the Ministry's calendar for 2027-28 puts spring break from Monday 27 March to Sunday 2 April 2028, with classes back on Monday 3 April 2028. Whether there's a February 2028 break will again depend on your school.

How to plan the February and April breaks in Dubai

For the whole year on one page, there's our printable UAE school calendar 2026-27 and the full Dubai school holidays 2026-27 guide. The full holiday list is on UAE public holidays 2027, and for what happens to fees next year, see Dubai school fees 2027-28.

February half-term and spring break FAQ for the UAE

When is spring break 2027 in the UAE?
Monday 5 April to Sunday 11 April 2027, with classes resuming Monday 12 April, for public schools and private schools on the unified calendar. KHDA lists the same dates for all Dubai private schools that start in September.

Is there a February half-term in Dubai in 2027?
Only at some schools. Private schools that don't follow the MoE curriculum can split their five-day October mid-term between October and February if their education authority allows it. Schools that took the full October week off generally have no February break.

When is the February 2027 half-term at GEMS schools in Dubai?
It depends on the GEMS school. For example, Dubai American Academy lists a February break on 11 and 12 February 2027, with school back on 15 February. Check your own GEMS school's calendar.

Will Eid Al Fitr 2027 close schools in the UAE?
Eid Al Fitr is a public holiday and is expected on 9 or 10 March 2027, depending on the moon sighting. The Ministry's calendar for its own curriculum schools lists an Eid holiday of 8 to 12 March 2027, and some private schools, such as Dubai American Academy, show the same week as provisional.

When is spring break 2028 in the UAE?
The Ministry of Education's calendar puts it from 27 March to 2 April 2028, with classes back on 3 April 2028.

A little help from Hey Raha

Half-term dates move, and the update is always one line in a long email. Hey Raha reads your school emails, read-only, and sends you and your helper one clear daily plan on WhatsApp. 14 days free, no card needed, then AED 39 a month or AED 299 a year.

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Marie, founder of Hey Raha

Sources for this UAE guide

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