As families in Dubai plan for winter, the school holiday calendar offers several long breaks for family outings or international travel. Dubai’s 2024-2025 school calendar includes a three-week winter break in December and a bonus holiday for Union Day, adding more days off to look forward to this season.
Union Day Holiday: A Long Weekend
The UAE Union Day holiday gives Dubai families a four-day weekend in early December. Union Day on December 2, 2024 (Monday), and Flag Day on December 3, 2024 (Tuesday), provide a break from school starting Saturday, November 30. Both private and public school students will be off on December 2 and 3, making it a perfect opportunity for a weekend getaway or local celebration.
Winter Break Dates for Dubai Schools
Dubai private schools adhering to the Ministry of Education (MoE) or an international curriculum are set to start winter break on Monday, December 16, 2024. Students will return to school on Monday, January 6, 2025. The exact dates may vary by institution, so it’s a good idea to confirm with individual schools or check on the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) website for each school’s calendar.
Additional School Calendar Highlights for Parents
Beyond the winter break, Dubai schools have some flexibility in their academic calendars, provided they meet a required minimum of school days — 188 days for MoE-curriculum schools and 182 days for international schools. Many Dubai schools following the international curriculum also offer a February half-term, giving families more time off around February 10-14, 2025, though this can vary by school.
In addition to winter and Union Day breaks, parents should also look out for other key dates:
- Spring Break is scheduled for March 24 to April 7, 2025, this break falls around Ramadan, giving families a chance to rest and observe the holiday.
- Arafat Day and Eid Al-Adha are expected around June 5-6, 2025, although dates depend on lunar sightings.
For exact school holiday dates, the KHDA website offers updated schedules by school and curriculum type.