If you've got kids in school in the UAE and you're already eyeing up December flights, the dates are now confirmed. For schools on the standard September-start calendar, the last day of term is Friday, December 11, 2026. The winter break officially runs from Monday, December 14 through Sunday, January 3, 2027 — a full three weeks off that covers both Christmas and New Year — with students back in class on Monday, January 4.
The good news for families spread across emirates: the dates are consistent almost everywhere. Dubai private schools overseen by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) follow the same schedule, as do public schools under the Ministry of Education and Sharjah's private schools regulated by the Sharjah Private Education Authority. So whether you're in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or further north, the December 14 to January 3 window applies across the board.
One caveat worth knowing before you hit 'book': a handful of private schools run on an April-start academic calendar rather than the September-start one, and their holiday dates can differ. Checking your own school's calendar takes two minutes and could save you a costly flight-change fee later.
The practical upshot: this three-week block is one of the busiest — and priciest — travel periods of the year in the UAE. Book flights and hotels early if you're planning a trip, whether that's a long-haul visit to family, a European Christmas market run, or a short hop to nearby destinations like Oman, Georgia or the Maldives. And if you'd rather stay put, Dubai's December calendar is usually packed with festive events, winter pop-ups and outdoor activities once the weather finally cools down. Either way, knowing the exact dates means you can lock in plans before everyone else does.
