UAE School Holidays 2024: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) boasts 639 public and 580 private schools, catering to a combined enrolment of 287,725 students and 793,295 students in private schools. The UAE’s education landscape comprises private and public institutions, with private schools constituting nearly 50% of all educational establishments in the country.
The Ministry of Education oversees the functioning of schools across the UAE. Additionally, the Knowledge & Human Development Authority (KHDA) and the Abu Dhabi Department of Knowledge (ADEK) play pivotal roles in regulating schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, respectively. These governing bodies also announce school holidays for each Emirate, resulting in variations in holiday schedules across the UAE.
School Holidays – Academic Calendar 2023 / 2024
| Abu Dhabi Public and Private Schools (MOE and Foreign Curriculum) | |
|---|---|
| Aug 28, 2023 | Start of the academic year |
| Dec 11, 2023 – Jan 1, 2024 | Winter break |
| Mar 25 – Apr 14, 2024 | Spring break* |
| 8.2 weeks | Summer break** |
| 182 | Number of school days*** |
* The above dates apply to all public and private schools teaching the curriculum of the Ministry of Education. Other private schools teaching foreign curricula will take a break of 3 consecutive weeks as allowed in each emirate or take two consecutive weeks and a third week later in the year.
** Summer break must not be more than 8.2 weeks for all schools in the UAE, irrespective of the curriculum they teach.
*** The above school days apply to all public and private schools teaching the curriculum of the Ministry of Education. For other schools, school days must not be less than 182 days.
School Holidays in Dubai
Academic Calendar 2023 / 2024
| End of the academic year | |
|---|---|
| Aug 28, 2023 | School begins for students |
| Dec 11, 2023 – Jan 1, 2024 | Winter break |
| Mar 25, 2024 – Apr 14, 2024 | Spring break (MoE Curriculum Schools) |
| Mar 25, 2024 – Apr 14, 2024 | Spring break (International Curriculum Schools) |
| Jun 28, 2024 | End of academic year |
| Dubai Private Schools (Starting in April) | |
|---|---|
| Apr 3, 2023 | School begins for students |
| July 3, 2023 | Students return from summer break |
| Aug 28, 2023 | Student Return from summer break |
| Dec 11, 2023 | Winter break |
| Jan 2, 2024 | Student Return from winter break |
| Mar 1 – 31, 2024 | End of academic year* |
*These private schools can close any day from March 13 and March 31, 2024, subject to the school fulfilling the stipulated number of school days and receiving KHDA approval.
All private schools can only tentatively communicate public holidays (like Eid, UAE National Day) to parents and confirm them once declared by the UAE government authority.
What are the other holidays in the UAE?
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day marks the start of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
Al Isra’a Wal Mi’raj – Ascension Day
Al Isra’a Wal Mi’raj is observed annually on the 27th day of the Islamic month of Rajab and marks the night God took Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) on a journey to Jerusalem from Makkah and then to heaven.
Ramadan
The Holy Month of Ramadan commemorates the first revelation of the Holy Quran. Muslims around the world observe Ramadan as a month of fasting and prayer.
Eid Al Fitr
Eid-al-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Fast-breaking, marks the end of Ramadan. Many Muslims observe this feast by showing gratitude to God for giving them strength while fasting during Ramadan.
Arafat (Haj) Day
Arafat Day is the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage and takes place a day before the first day of Eid Al Adha.
Eid Al Adha
Eid al-Adha, or the Festival of Sacrifice, is the most important feast in the Muslim calendar. Eid al-Adha commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son to God.
Al Hijri – Islamic New Year
The Islamic New Year marks the beginning of a new year in the Islamic calendar and marks the Prophet’s journey from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD.
Commemoration Day
The UAE Commemoration Day commemorates the Emirati heroes who lost their lives defending the nation.
Milad Un Nabi
Prophet Muhammad’s birthday is observed on the 12th day of the Islamic month of Rabiulawal.
UAE National Day
The UAE National Day is celebrated annually on December 2nd and marks the country’s unification of the seven emirates in 1971.