UAE Schools’ Early Winter Break: What Parents Need to Know for 2025-2026

In UAE Schools, Last Winter Break Early: Parent Prep for 2025-2026

Winter break is now announced in several schools in the UAE, and it is about time; parents are given long enough notices to sort out plans. With the academic year still starting, these notifications will allow you to go on booking the flights or locking places for a staycation without the unnecessary rush. For the 2025-2026 year, most would have four weeks of complete break; before, it used to be three weeks.

This article will provide all the relevant information regarding the early winter break-from dates to why schools are announcing it now-tips to help you plan. For those of you caught between work hours and family trips, simple information to help make holidays less hectic is included. 

Schools Started Early In sending Winter Break Notices

UAE schools seem to be in the limelight this year in sending winter break announcements as new term starts. The Ministry of Education approved the 2025-2026 calendar, some in early April and others in early August. Now, it is GEMS schools and Pristine Private School emailing parents and updating on the app.

The reason behind this is that parents request dates early to plan travel bookings, especially as holiday flights get filled fast. As one school leader pointed out, clear communication decreases uncertainty for parents during the busy days of December. The schools have done this after feedback from parents, as last year’s last-minute scramble forced families to pay more for their holidays. 

Not all schools seem to be in the same boat. Asian curriculum schools which are Indian or Pakistani have had their calendars since April, while international ones had theirs only in September. Either way, this is handled from early on, letting all schools prepare without bringing kids out of class prematurely.

Winter Vacation’s Fixed Dates

Winter break dates have been set and aligned with the commonly accepted academic calendar; they remain more or less unchanged for most of the public and private institutions. The first-term end date is Sunday, December 7, 2025. School winter breaks exist from December 8, 2025, to January 4, 2026. Thus, students get 28 days of winter break and return on Monday, January 5, 2026.

• Here goes an easy overview:
• First term ends: December 7, 2025
• Break period: December 8, 2025-January 4,2026
• Classes resume: January 5, 2026
• Break length: 4 weeks (extended from 3)

Though many schools may adjust it by one day or so, the Ministry dates are general. The National Day holidays are assumed to be on the 2nd and 3rd of December, which, along with a few other schools, would have left only three school days in the term, 4th and 5th of December, for public school learners. Either download your school’s full academic calendar from the Ministry calendar or check your school’s portal for the appropriate calendar that pertains to your school.

The full-year date would stretch from August 25, 2025, until July 3, 2026, while the spring itinerary includes March 16 to 29, 2026. The public will stick to the full-year calendar, while the private sector may have a bit more flexibility with the program, subject to completing 182 minimum instruction days.

What’s Underneath the Extension to Four Weeks

This move to four weeks isn’t merely extra time out of class; it is also a well-thought-out step in the context of the unified calendar in order to fit in with some of the realities of life in the UAE, where most residents are expatriates, and time away from school usually means going home or going somewhere cool, and three weeks is not long enough for long-distance travel.

After getting feedback from students’ parents and schools, the Education Ministry, KHDA in Dubai, and ADEK in Abu Dhabi decided to put this in effect. The total number of school days-182-remains the same; the only difference is that instead of only 182 days, there will be just one extra week. According to one principal, it gives families a real break, allows children to return to school feeling rested and refreshed, and provides teachers with extra time to plan and pace instruction for the second term.

Not all schools, though: Indian, Pakistani, and Japanese systems would not be brought under this umbrella as they are still sinking their school holidays to the respective boards. The other schools which have come on-board with it will mean less rushing around Christmas and New Year for many more students. 

Planning Tips to Weather the Longer Break

Well, it sounds great-a four-week break-but you really have to plan well on how to keep everyone busy. If you’re going to travel, start planning at the earliest and begin making deals on flights and hotels via a site like Skyscanner before prices skyrocket come December. Travel locally, within the UAE, to places like mountain places in Ras Al Khaimah or beach locations in Fujairah-all safe and quick getaways. 

Plan for family involvement early. Start with brainstorming and writing all the ideas down: snow in Georgia, board games and puzzles at home, or a few trips to the parks; some may be that elaborate, or as simple as; budget in some extra food and other extra activities, or if you leave the pet with a sitter while you travel you will need to budget for that and include your pets in your budget. One tip I have found that has been floating around is to alternate bigger outings with staying home and relaxing so that no one starts to feel burnt out.

If you’re staying through the holidays, check whether there are community events happening, like holiday markets in Dubai or light shows in Abu Dhabi. Parents can also add in a little structure and routine that is easy for kids to do without feeling like they are doing schoolwork by downloading one of the free apps that suggest simple crafts or stories.

Extra Classes for Some Students

Teens preparing for board exams may be entitled to extra optional sessions just before the break. The KHDA and similar organizations have many schools running catch-up that leads up to the board exams. However, the focus will be put on core topics such as math or science for grades 10 and 12. We are done just in time to leave the holiday open mostly. 

It is made optional so that the students build their sense of confidence and learning without the pressure that comes with examination anxiety. If this is applicable for you, please reach out to your child/teacher for a brief insight. Younger ones should still enjoy their entire break mostly free apart from minor exceptions.

Conclusion: Make the Break for Your Family

The early winter break notices from UAE schools seem just appropriate to allow you to transform four weeks of vacation into some reliable family time. Between December 8, 2025, to January 4, 2026, this break is an opportunity for fleecing away some relaxation before heading back to school on January 5. 

Check your school mailing list or your school’s website for updates and start planning now. Booking those flights for home or spending some slow time just sitting in the garden would really help in winding everyone down.