School holidays in Qatar in 2025–2026

If you’re a parent in Qatar, knowing the dates of your child’s school holidays is essential when it comes to planning vacations, childcare, or simply a few nice days out in Doha.

Here’s what you need to know:

An overview of school holidays in Qatar

School holidays in Qatar are decided by the Supreme Education Council (SEC) and the Ministry of Education (MOE). Around late spring, it publishes the school calendar showing the term dates and holidays.

Schools typically have three main school holidays throughout the year, including during Spring, Summer, and Winter. There are also a few individual days off, such as Eid al-Fitr and Qatar’s National Day.

Most international schools in Qatar follow the same school holiday schedule as their public counterparts, with extra half-term breaks of a week or so.

When are Qatar’s school holidays in 2025–2026?

Check with your school in case of variations.

Holiday	Dates
First day of school	31 August 2025
Autumn break	26-30 October 2025
Winter break	12 December 2025 – 11 January 2026
Spring holiday	9 – 13 February 2026
Summer break	1 July – 29 August 2026

It’s worth noting that during Ramadan, Qatari school hours are usually shortened to accommodate the fasting schedule. Public and private schools often start later in the morning (around 08:30) and end earlier (around 12:00).

Other important dates in 2025–2026

The additional holiday dates for the 2025–2026 school year are:

Holiday	Date	Weekday
Qatar National Day	18 December 2025	Thu
National Sports Day	10 February 2026	Tue
Eid al-Fitr	20-22 March 2026	Mon–Wed
Eid al-Adha	27-29 Ma7 2026	Sat–Mon

When are Qatar’s school holidays in 2026–2027?

Check with your school in case of variations.

Holiday	Dates
First day of school	30 August 2026
Autumn break	Dates not yet available
Winter break	Dates not yet available
Spring holiday	Dates not yet available
Summer break	Dates not yet available

Other important dates in 2026–2027

The additional holiday dates for the 2026–2027 school year are:

Holiday	Date	Weekday
Qatar National Day	18 December 2026	Fri
National Sports Day	9 February 2027	Tue
Eid al-Fitr	8-10 March 2027	Mon–Wed
Eid al-Adha	16-20 May 2027	Sun-Thu

When are the public holidays in Qatar?

Some important public holidays and celebrations usually fall on school holidays, such as New Year’s Day and Eid Al-Fitr. You can learn more about these holidays (and dates) by reading our article on public holidays in Qatar.

Tips for expat parents in Qatar

Childcare during Qatar school holidays

If you are working during school holidays, you may need to make childcare arrangements. You have several options:

• Summer/holiday programs at nurseries: This is a good option for younger children. If you have children at nursery, find out whether they provide extra programs during the holidays. Some also offer babysitting services at an additional cost.
• Nannies, au pairs, and childminders: Want your child to be cared for in the comfort of your home? There are several international nannying companies that provide childcare for families worldwide.

Fun vacation camps in Qatar

There are a number of vacation camps in Qatar, including language schools, sports camps, and adventure camps that are popular with expat children. Examples of these include Step By Step, PRO Sports, and KidZania.