Hey Raha blog · Dubai school life

Free Printable UAE School Calendar 2026-27

By Marie Adly · 7 October 2026

This free one-page PDF shows the 2026-27 calendar for Dubai private schools: first day Monday 31 August 2026, October mid-term 12–16 October, winter break 14 December 2026 – 3 January 2027, spring break 5–11 April 2027 and last day Friday 2 July 2027. Expected Eid dates and the main Abu Dhabi and Sharjah differences are marked on the page.

Last updated: 7 October 2026

I'm a paper-on-the-fridge person. However many apps I have, the thing that actually stops me double-booking a dentist appointment on a school holiday is a single page by the kettle. So I made one for this school year, and you're welcome to it.

It's one A4 page with the whole 2026-27 year for Dubai private schools, every break shaded, the moon-dependent holidays marked as expected, and a short note on how Abu Dhabi and Sharjah differ.

Download the calendar

Download the free UAE school calendar 2026-27 (PDF, 1 page, A4)

No sign-up needed. Print it in colour if you can, as the breaks and holidays are colour-coded. It still reads fine in black and white.

The calendar covers the big dates. The little ones arrive by 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.

What's on it

• All twelve months from August 2026 to July 2027, Monday-first
• School breaks shaded: October mid-term, winter, spring and summer
• Public holidays: National Day and New Year's Day
• Expected Islamic holidays: Eid Al Fitr, Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha, Hijri New Year
• Ramadan 2027 (expected), when school days are usually shorter
• Key school days boxed: first day, back-to-school days, Flag Day, Commemoration Day and the last day
• A side panel with Abu Dhabi (ADEK) and Sharjah (SPEA) differences

Dubai key dates 2026-27

These are the KHDA dates for September-start private schools, which follow the UAE's unified calendar this year.

Two things to know. First, private schools that don't follow the MoE curriculum can split the five October mid-term days between October and February if KHDA approves, so your school might have a short February break. Second, April-start schools (many Indian and Pakistani curriculum schools) share the same winter break but finish their year between 15 and 31 March 2027.

Our full guide to Dubai school holidays and term dates for 2026-27 explains each date in detail.

Abu Dhabi: what's different

Very little, on paper. Abu Dhabi and Al Ain schools work to the same national frame: 31 August to 2 July, mid-term from 12 October, winter from 14 December and spring from 5 April. The difference is that ADEK approves each private school's calendar individually, so first days, training days and any February week vary from school to school.

Public schools follow the MoE calendar, which also sets exam windows and an Eid Al Fitr school break of 8–12 March 2027 (expected). See Abu Dhabi school term dates 2026-27 for the full list.

Sharjah: what's different

Sharjah is the one to watch:

• Schools run a four-day week, Monday to Thursday.
• SPEA's private-school winter break is 14–31 December, back on 4 January.
• Spring break is 5–8 April, back on 12 April.
• The last day is Thursday 1 July 2027.
• SPEA's calendar doesn't list an October mid-term, so check your school.
• Indian and Pakistani curriculum schools have their own SPEA calendar.

More in Sharjah school term dates 2026-27.

The dates marked "expected"

Islamic holidays follow the moon sighting, so they're confirmed only a day or two before. The dates on the calendar come from the UAE's Astronomy Centre projections and the Ministry's school calendar. I'd plan around them but wouldn't book non-refundable flights on them yet. When they're confirmed, I'll update this page and the PDF.

How I use mine

1. Print two copies. One for the fridge, one for your helper's room or the car.
2. Circle your own school's extras with a pen: training days, early finishes, sports day.
3. Pencil in the expected Eids with a day either side.
4. Add the month view. Each month we publish what's happening in Dubai schools this month, from exam windows to dress-up days.
5. Share it on day one with whoever helps with pick-ups. Our nanny and helper weekly briefing is a good next step.

Sources

• KHDA: Academic calendar for Dubai's private schools
• UAE Ministry of Education: Academic calendar for the next three years
• UAE Ministry of Education: Academic Calendar 2026-2027 (PDF)
• SPEA: School calendars
• ADEK: Calendar and Public Holidays Policy (PDF)
• UAE Government portal: Public holidays
• Emirates 24|7: Dubai private school calendar 2026–27: key term dates and holidays (20 Aug 2026)
• Gulf News: Dubai private schools revise October mid-term break dates for 2026-27 (4 Sep 2026)
• The National: When is Ramadan 2027? Potential dates announced for the UAE (updated 6 Oct 2026)

Frequently asked questions

Is this calendar free?
Yes. Download it, print it and share it with other parents.

Which schools does it cover?
Dubai private schools on the September-start calendar, with notes on how Abu Dhabi (ADEK) and Sharjah (SPEA) schools differ. Your school's approved calendar is always the final word.

Will the calendar be updated?
Yes. When Eid and other moon-dependent dates are confirmed, I'll update the PDF and the date on this page.

Why is my school's October break different?
Some private schools split the mid-term between October and February, and Indian-curriculum schools often don't have an October break. Check your school's latest email.

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