Indian in Saudi Arabia· Editorial Team · education · 3 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)
✅ CONFIRMED: The 1448H school year began on Sunday, 23 August 2026 in most regions, per the Ministry of Education calendar. Students in Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah and Taif started one week later, on Sunday, 30 August 2026.
Key dates for 2026-27
August 2026 (Confirmed)
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Aug 11 | Administrative staff and educational supervisors return (most regions; Makkah/Madinah/Jeddah/Taif followed on Aug 16) |
| Aug 16 | Teachers return |
| Aug 23 | School year starts — students return (all regions EXCEPT Makkah/Madinah/Jeddah/Taif) ✅ confirmed |
| Aug 30 | Students return in Makkah/Madinah/Jeddah/Taif ✅ confirmed |
Semester 1 (First Term)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Schools reopen | Sunday, August 23, 2026 (Makkah/Madinah/Jeddah/Taif: August 30) |
| National Day holiday | Wednesday–Thursday, September 23-24, 2026 (back Sunday, September 27) |
| Autumn break | Friday, November 20 to Saturday, November 28, 2026 (back Sunday, November 29) |
| Semester 1 ends | Thursday, January 7, 2027 |
| Mid-year break | Friday, January 8 to Saturday, January 16, 2027 |
Semester 2 (Second Term)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Semester 2 starts | Sunday, January 17, 2027 |
| Founding Day holiday | Friday, February 19 to Monday, February 22, 2027 |
| Eid Al-Fitr break | Friday, February 26 to Saturday, March 13, 2027 (back Sunday, March 14) |
| Eid Al-Adha break | Friday, May 7 to Saturday, May 22, 2027 (back Sunday, May 23) |
| School year ends | After classes on Thursday, June 24, 2027 (summer holiday begins) |
Key holidays
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Saudi National Day | September 23, 2026 |
| Founding Day | February 22, 2027 |
| Eid Al-Fitr | Expected around March 10, 2027 (Umm al-Qura calendar; confirmed by moon sighting) |
| Eid Al-Adha | Expected around May 16, 2027 (Umm al-Qura calendar; confirmed by moon sighting) |
How Indian curriculum schools compare
Indian schools (CBSE/ICSE) generally follow:
- April to March academic year (different from Saudi’s August-June)
- Summer break: during the Saudi summer (exact dates vary by school)
- Winter break: a short break around December-January (varies by school)
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 (referral link) 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 — Academic calendar
- Okaz — 1448H school calendar (July 2026); Al-Ain — Makkah/Madinah/Jeddah/Taif start on 30 August
Disclaimer: Dates are based on current announcements and may vary by school. Always verify with your specific school.
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