September 26, 2025 | Dubai, UAE: UAE schools early winter break has been announced as the government reveals a significant revision to the academic calendar pertaining to its educational institutions. As part of the UAE school calendar 2025, students throughout the nation will be granted a winter recess lasting one month.
This holiday, which will commence in early December, represents one of the most extended mid-year breaks observed in recent times. This adjustment aims to provide an equilibrium between educational obligations and familial considerations, thereby affording students additional opportunities for rest and enabling parents to better organize their schedules. The 1 month winter break also reflects a broader effort by authorities to balance academic rigor with student well-being under the UAE school calendar 2025.
One-Month Break and Key Calendar Dates
The UAE Schools Early Winter break will run from December 8, 2025, to January 4, 2026, with schools reopening on January 5, 2026. This adjustment extends the holiday from the usual three weeks to a full 1 month winter break, giving students a rare opportunity for uninterrupted downtime during the academic year.
The Ministry of Education also released the full UAE school calendar for 2025–26:
- First Day of School: August 25, 2025
- Winter Break: December 8, 2025 – January 4, 2026
- Spring Break: March 16 – March 29, 2026
- Summer Break: Expected to begin in late June 2026
Officials stressed that the mandatory number of school days remains unchanged. Schools will modify their teaching schedules by either extending certain terms or introducing focused lessons before and after the 1 month winter break. The aim is to protect learning outcomes while still granting students and families an extended holiday.
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Impact on Schools, Families, and Travel
The longer break will apply to public schools and private schools following the Ministry of Education curriculum. However, not all institutions are expected to follow the same timeline under the UAE school calendar 2025.
- British and American curriculum schools are likely to adopt similar dates but may allow flexibility based on internal regulations.
- Indian curriculum schools often face tighter exam timelines and could reduce the holiday to three weeks. Some have already indicated plans to hold revision classes in late December.
- Senior grades preparing for board exams may be required to attend additional sessions during the holiday period.
The 1 month winter break has already begun to influence family planning across the country. Many expatriate families use the UAE schools winter break to travel abroad, particularly to Europe, South Asia, and other destinations during Christmas and New Year. Travel companies are reporting a sharp rise in early bookings since the UAE school calendar 2025 was announced, with families taking advantage of fixed dates to secure affordable tickets.
Teachers and school administrators, meanwhile, are working to balance the extended holiday with academic continuity. Some schools are preparing digital study packs and holiday projects to keep students engaged. Others plan to compress certain lessons into more intensive weeks before the 1 month winter break begins.
Looking Ahead
The introduction of a 1 month winter break in the UAE school calendar 2025 highlights a broader approach to education in the country—one that values both academic performance and student well-being.
For students, the extended holiday offers a chance to relax after a demanding first term. For families, it provides certainty for travel and financial planning in one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. For schools, it presents both a challenge and an opportunity: ensuring instructional quality while adapting to a longer holiday.
Authorities have urged parents to confirm dates directly with their schools, as small variations may occur depending on curricula or emirate-level regulations. Despite these differences, the decision represents one of the most notable calendar changes in recent years. It reinforces the UAE’s effort to align education with international standards while supporting family life in a multicultural society.
As schools prepare for the adjustment, the longer holiday is expected to set a new rhythm for academic planning in the years to come. Students will return refreshed, parents will benefit from advance planning, and educators will continue to adapt the school year to ensure balance between rest and rigor during the UAE schools early winter break.
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