Dubai schools, universities and early childhood centres will be closed on Monday, June 15, 2026, to mark the Islamic New Year 1448 AH.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) confirmed that all educational institutions in Dubai will observe the holiday, with normal operations resuming on Tuesday, June 16. The announcement aligns with the UAE’s public holiday schedule for both public and private sector employees.
Dubai school holiday June 15: Here’s what has been announced
Parents, students and teachers across Dubai can look forward to an extra day off this month after the KHDA officially announced the Islamic New Year holiday.
In a statement issued on June 5, KHDA confirmed that schools, universities and public and private early childhood centres will remain closed on Monday, June 15, in observance of Hijri New Year 1448 AH.
Educational activities will resume on Tuesday, June 16.
The announcement follows the UAE government’s decision to declare the same day a public holiday for both public and private sector workers across the country.
For many families, the timing comes as a welcome break ahead of the end of the academic year and the start of the summer holidays.
Why is June 15 a holiday in the UAE?
The holiday marks the beginning of the new Hijri year, also known as the Islamic New Year.
The Hijri calendar is based on lunar cycles, and Muharram is its first month. The Islamic New Year commemorates the migration of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Makkah to Madinah, a significant event in Islamic history.
While many Islamic dates traditionally depend on moon sightings, the UAE’s public holiday system now allows certain holidays to be moved to the beginning or end of a week. This helps create more predictable holiday schedules for residents, businesses and educational institutions.
As a result, the Islamic New Year holiday will fall on Monday, June 15 this year.
Will students get a long weekend?
For families following a Saturday-Sunday weekend schedule, the answer is yes.
The holiday creates a three-day weekend running from Saturday, June 13, through Monday, June 15.
Many parents may choose to use the break for short staycations, family outings or travel within the UAE before the busy summer holiday season begins.
The timing is particularly useful for students as many schools are currently completing final assessments and end-of-year activities before closing for the summer.
How close is this holiday to the summer school break?
The June holiday arrives just weeks before the official end of the academic year.
According to the UAE school calendar previously announced by education authorities, the 2025-2026 academic year is scheduled to end on Friday, July 3, 2026.
Most schools across Dubai are expected to begin their summer holidays either at the end of June or during the first week of July, depending on their academic calendar.
This means students will have only a few weeks of classes remaining after returning from the Islamic New Year break.
Earlier this year, the UAE government also approved academic calendars covering the next three school years, giving parents and schools greater visibility on term dates through summer 2029.
What parents should know before the holiday?
For working parents, the announcement provides additional time to plan childcare arrangements and family activities.
Since the public holiday applies across both educational institutions and workplaces, many families will be able to enjoy the day together.
Parents with children enrolled in nurseries, early childhood centres, schools and universities should note that all educational services covered by KHDA’s announcement will remain closed on June 15.
The KHDA advised that normal educational operations will continue from Tuesday, June 16.
As summer approaches, families are also beginning preparations for travel plans, holiday camps and back-to-school arrangements for the next academic year.
FAQ’s
Q: Are Dubai schools closed on June 15, 2026?
A: Yes. KHDA has confirmed that schools, universities and early childhood centres in Dubai will be closed on Monday, June 15, for the Islamic New Year holiday.
Q: When do classes resume after the holiday?
A: Educational institutions will reopen and resume normal operations on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Q: Does the holiday apply to private schools in Dubai?
A: Yes. The announcement covers both public and private educational institutions regulated by KHDA.
Q: Why is the Islamic New Year a public holiday?
A: The holiday marks the beginning of the Hijri year and the first day of Muharram, one of the most significant months in the Islamic calendar.
Q: When do Dubai schools close for summer 2026?
A: The current academic year is scheduled to end on Friday, July 3, 2026, although exact closing dates may vary slightly between schools.
The confirmation of the June 15 holiday gives students, parents and teachers across Dubai a welcome break before the end of the academic year. With schools, universities, and early childhood centres closed for the day, families can enjoy a long weekend while preparing for the summer holidays ahead.
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- Why is June 15 a holiday in the UAE?
