Indian in Saudi Arabia· Editorial Team · education · 2 min read
Saudi School Calendar 2026-27: Complete Holiday and Term Dates for Expat Families
Saudi Arabia has released the academic calendar for 1448H/2026-27. Here are all the key dates — semester start, holidays, breaks — so expat families can plan ahead.
Saudi Arabia has officially released the academic calendar for the 1448H/2026-27 school year. Whether your children attend Saudi government schools, Indian curriculum schools, or international schools, these dates affect everyone.
Source: @SaudiNews50 — Academic calendar released, 287K views, 1,091 likes (Tweet)
Key dates for 2026-27
Semester 1 (First Term)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Schools reopen | Sunday, August 23, 2026 |
| Mid-term break | October 12-16, 2026 (5 days) |
| National Day | September 23-24, 2026 (2 days) |
| Semester 1 ends | December 17, 2026 |
Semester 2 (Second Term)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Semester 2 starts | January 4, 2027 |
| Mid-term break | February 15-19, 2027 (5 days) |
| Ramadan break | Approximately March-April 2027 (varies by school) |
| Semester 2 ends | April 15, 2027 |
Key holidays
| Holiday | Approximate Dates |
|---|---|
| National Day | September 23-24, 2026 |
| Eid Al-Fitr | March 20-23, 2027 (approximate) |
| Eid Al-Adha | May 27-30, 2027 (approximate) |
| Saudi National Day | September 23, 2026 |
How Indian curriculum schools compare
Indian schools (CBSE/ICSE) generally follow:
- April to March academic year (different from Saudi’s August-June)
- Summer break: May-June
- Winter break: December-January (coincides with Christmas/New Year)
- Diwali break: October-November (2-3 days)
Important: Indian schools in Saudi Arabia may adjust their calendar to align partially with Saudi holidays for Eid and National Day.
What expat families should do now
1. Confirm school reopening date
- Contact your school directly
- Check the school’s website or social media
- Government schools: follow Ministry of Education announcements
2. Prepare enrollment documents
- Child’s passport and iqama
- Previous school reports
- Vaccination records
- Passport-size photographs
3. Arrange transport
- School bus registration (usually opens 2-3 weeks before school starts)
- Confirm routes and timings
- Book early — spots fill up fast
4. Budget for school fees
- Set up a dedicated fund with SNB Neo for education expenses
- Track fee payment deadlines
- Set up automatic transfers
5. Plan family travel
- If planning a trip to India, schedule it during Eid or National Day breaks
- Book flights early — prices spike during holidays
- Ensure passports have valid exit re-entry visas
Related guides
- Schools Reopening — Expat Family Guide
- Saudi General Education System — Expat Impact
- Indian Schools Admission Guide
- Exit Re-Entry Visa Timing Rules
References
- @SaudiNews50 — Academic calendar 1448H released — Twitter (July 2026)
- Saudi Ministry of Education — moe.gov.sa
Disclaimer: Dates are based on current announcements and may vary by school. Always verify with your specific school.
- school
- calendar
- holidays
- education
- family
- children
