Holiday breaks
MOE-curriculum school breaks: family trips from Abu Dhabi
The UAE Ministry of Education calendar covers public schools and private schools on the ministry curriculum, not every Abu Dhabi school; Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi curriculum schools have their own calendars. The ministry guide lists student winter break as 14 December 2026 – 1 January 2027 with return on 4 January; the ministry announcement gives the full window through 3 January, including the weekend. Spring break is 5–9 April 2027 in the guide, with return on 12 April (full window to 11 April). The year ends on 2 July 2027.
The example this page uses
- From
- Abu Dhabi
- Travelling as
- Family · 4 people
- Trip length
- 7 days
- Month
- December
- Total budget
- AED 40,000
- Currency
- AED
The trip tool works by month, not exact holiday dates. Results are modelled estimates, not live fares. Change any value after opening it.
Official dates and scope
| Winter (students): 14 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027, return 4 Jan; announcement window to 3 Jan incl. weekend | Public schools and private schools on the ministry curriculum; others vary. |
| Spring: 5–9 Apr 2027, return 12 Apr; announcement window to 11 Apr | Public schools and private schools on the ministry curriculum; others vary. |
| School year ends: 2 Jul 2027 | Public schools and private schools on the ministry curriculum; others vary. |
Destinations that fit this example
Example: from Abu Dhabi, 7 days, total budget AED 40,000, December. Edit any of it in the trip tool.
- EgyptEgyptEstimated whole trip15,700–24,600 AEDWithin budget · Great in DecemberAffordable on your budget and one of the closest matches to the trip you described. It covers culture and cities.
- India Golden TriangleIndiaEstimated whole trip15,100–23,650 AEDWithin budget · Great in DecemberAffordable on your budget and one of the closest matches to the trip you described. It covers culture and cities.
- JordanJordanEstimated whole trip19,850–31,200 AEDWithin budget · Fine in DecemberOne of the strongest realistic options within your current budget and trip requirements. It covers culture.
- ThailandThailandEstimated whole trip20,100–31,400 AEDWithin budget · Great in DecemberOne of the strongest realistic options within your current budget and trip requirements. It covers culture and cities.
- MoroccoMoroccoEstimated whole trip20,700–32,300 AEDWithin budget · Fine in DecemberOne of the strongest realistic options within your current budget and trip requirements. It covers culture and cities.
- TürkiyeTürkiyeEstimated whole trip18,450–29,000 AEDWithin budget · Off-season in DecemberOne of the strongest realistic options within your current budget and trip requirements. It covers cities and culture.
What to weigh
- The three-week winter break leaves room for the seven-day example.
- If your school follows another curriculum, check its own calendar first.
- The shortlist is ranked on modelled cost only; it does not filter by flight time, direct service, weather or entry rules. Check those yourself.
- The budget is an editable illustration in local currency for a family of four, not a typical, recommended or guaranteed amount.
Questions
- Do all private schools in Abu Dhabi share these dates?
- No. Only those on the ministry curriculum; others set their own.
- Are these live prices?
- No. They are modelled whole-trip estimates for the example inputs shown. Change the departure city, days, budget or party to recalculate.
Sources
- UAE Ministry of Education — Academic calendar 2026-2027 — Public schools and private schools on the ministry curriculum; others vary.
- UAE Ministry of Education — Academic calendar for the next three years (announcement) — Ministry announcement; its break windows include the adjoining weekend.
Checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm with your own school, employer or authority.
Related breaks
Photo credits
- KennyOMG · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Yann; edited by Jim Carter · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Azurfrog · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Mastertongapollo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Badr Rachadi · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- MusikAnimal · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Costs are modelled estimates for the example inputs, not live holiday fares or exact-date availability. Calendar facts quote official sources for the scope stated; travel tips are editorial planning suggestions.