School Holidays in the UAE 2024-2025

If you're a parent in the UAE, it is essential to schedule your holidays and childcare duties around the school holidays, so that you and your child can enjoy the most out of the exciting activities available in the country. If you’re a student in the UAE, it’s also essential to be aware of the school holidays so can better time your studies, extracurriculars and fun times with friends!

Overview of Public Holidays and Term Breaks in the UAE

Before we break down each of them, here's a summary of the key public holidays and term breaks in the UAE:

List of Public Holidays in the UAE (2024 - 2025)

Under the Ministry of Education UAE, Public holidays in the UAE are observed by all public, private and international schools so that there is consistency across the education system​.

The key public holiday dates are :

• Islamic New Year: 7th July 2024 – Marks the start of the Islamic lunar calendar, a significant date in the Muslim world.
• Commemoration Day: 30th November 2024 – Honours Emirati soldiers who died serving their country.
• UAE National Day: 2nd and 3rd December 2024 – Celebrates the founding of the UAE in 1971.
• New Year’s Day: 1st January 2025 – The start of the Gregorian calendar year.
• Prophet’s Birthday: 15th February 2025 – Commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad.
• Eid al-Fitr: 10th to 13th April 2025 (expected) – Celebrates the end of Ramadan.
• Eid al-Adha: 7th to 10th June 2025 (expected) – Commemorates the religious figure Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God​.

An A-Level tutor in UAE noted that the actual dates of the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha depend on the sighting of the crescent moon, so stay tuned to the Official List of Holidays to find out!

List of Public and Private School Term Breaks in the UAE (2024 - 2025)

The 2024-2025 school year in the UAE includes several important term breaks that across public, private and international schools. Although the structure of the breaks are similar, with longer winter and summer breaks and a shorter spring break, the exact dates may vary depending on the institution:

• Winter break: 9th December 2024 to 3rd January 2025 (3 weeks).
• Spring break: 25th March 2025 to 4th April 2025 (1.5 weeks).
• Summer break: 4th July 2025 to late August 2025 (2 months).

List of Public and Private School Holidays in the UAE (2024 - 2025)

In addition to public holidays and term breaks, schools in the UAE observe several other important holidays:

• Teacher’s Day: Schools may close or have special events to honour teachers on 5th October 2024.
• Mid-Year Break: A short break in February, often coinciding with UAE Innovation Month, typically around 8th to 12th February 2025.
• Sports Day: Many schools close or operate on reduced hours for National Sports Day, observed on 7th March 2025.

However, private and international schools could make some minor variations to these dates - therefore it is important to check with your specific school!

Overview of the Academic Year in the UAE (2024 - 2025)

Overall, the school holidays in the UAE fit well into the academic calendar in the UAE for 2024-2025, reflecting the well-structured nature of the Education System in the UAE. The school year starts in Term 1 on 26th August 2024 and wraps up in Term 3 on 3rd July 2025. While public and private schools in the UAE generally follow this structure, private schools can make minor variations to their own academic calendars, especially concerning the start and end of the school year or the length of term breaks. However, all schools must adhere to the minimum number of instructional days, which is 182 days​, and must seek approval from local education authorities beforehand.

Breaks are strategically placed between terms to give students and teachers the rest they need. An IB teacher, who has taught in one of the Best IB Schools in Dubai, said:

"School breaks are crucial for students' mental health, giving them the necessary time to decompress, reduce stress, and return to class with better focus and energy."

School Holidays Activities in the UAE

Taking a break from school is not only a chance for students to decompress, but it can also be an opportunity for them to grow intellectually. The teachers from the Best International Schools in Dubai recommend the following school holidays activities:

• Private Tutoring: Enhance academic skills with personalised lessons in subjects like Maths, Science or English, for example, through working with an IB tutor in Dubai.
• Coding Classes: Learn programming and game development through online courses or local coding boot camps.
• Language Learning: Pick up a new language with apps like Duolingo or enrol in language courses.
• Art Workshops: Explore creativity with painting, drawing, or digital art classes available in local art studios.

However, parents may not be able to supervise their children while working during school holidays. A UAE IGCSE tutor said that summer camps are great options to enable children to get the most out of holidays while minimising logistical issues for the parents. In the UAE, there are an abundance of summer camp options for your children's every interest, including:

• STEM Summer Camps: Engage in science, technology, engineering, and maths activities at STEM camps to boost intellectual growth.
• Sports Camps: Improve teamwork and physical fitness through multi-sport camps, such as those offered by Dubai Sports World.
• Art and Craft Camps: Enhance creativity and fine motor skills at camps like Kids' Art Camps.
• Language Immersion Camps: Learn a new language and cultural skills, such as the French culture and language at Alliance Française Dubai.
• Leadership Camps: Build confidence and social skills at Leadership Training Camps.

Conclusion

Now that you know the key dates for the 2024-2025 school year, you can plan your family time and educational activities with confidence. Whether it’s booking a holiday, arranging private tutoring, or signing up for a summer camp, being organised helps you make the most of every break. Keep this guide handy, and enjoy a well-balanced year ahead!