---
title: "Set Up a Holiday Schedule for an Auto Attendant in 8x8 Admin Console"
slug: "set-up-a-holiday-schedule-for-an-auto-attendant-in-8x8-admin-console"
updated: 2026-05-17T16:49:10Z
published: 2026-05-21T21:26:45Z
canonical: "help.8x8.com/set-up-a-holiday-schedule-for-an-auto-attendant-in-8x8-admin-console"
stale: true
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.8x8.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Set Up a Holiday Schedule for an Auto Attendant in 8x8 Admin Console

## Objective

Set up a holiday schedule using an Auto Attendant in Admin Console.

## Applies To

- Admin Console
- Auto Attendant
- Holiday Scheduling

## Prerequisites

- You must have access to the 8x8 Admin Console
- An Auto Attendant must already exist (or be created)
- A Site must be assigned to the Auto Attendant to access call-handling menus

## Navigation Path

Most procedures in this article start from the same location: **Admin Console → Auto Attendants → Edit (pencil icon) next to an Auto Attendant**

## 1. Create a Holiday Schedule

Holiday schedules define dates when your Auto Attendant follows special open or closed hours.

### **To add a holiday:**

1. Log in to the [**Admin Console**.](https://sso.8x8.com/v2/login)
2. Navigate to **Auto Attendants**.
3. Select an existing Auto Attendant or create a new one.
4. Open the **Auto Attendant Profile** and select **Edit**.

### Objective

Create and manage holiday schedules for an Auto Attendant in the 8x8 Admin Console, including holiday dates, call-handling rules, and custom holiday greetings.

### Applies To
5. 8x8 Admin Console
6. Auto Attendant
7. Holiday Scheduling

---

### Overview
8. Holiday schedules allow your Auto Attendant to follow special call-handling rules on specific dates, such as public holidays or company closures.On holiday dates, the Auto Attendant can:
9. Follow open or closed hours
10. Play a custom holiday greeting
11. Route calls differently than normal business hours
12. Holiday schedules override standard business hours for the selected dates.

---

## Prerequisites

Before you begin:
13. You have access to the 8x8 Admin Console
14. An Auto Attendant already exists (or you create one)
15. A Site is assigned to the Auto Attendant (required to access call-handling menus)

---

### Navigation Path

Most tasks in this article start from the same location:

**Admin Console → Auto Attendants → Edit (pencil icon) next to an Auto Attendant**

---

## Step One: Create a Holiday Schedule

Holiday schedules define the dates when special call-handling rules apply.

### Procedure

1. Log in to the 8x8 Admin Console.
2. Go to Auto Attendants.
3. Select an existing Auto Attendant (or create a new one)
4. Open the Auto Attendant profile and click Edit.
5. Go to Holiday Exceptions.
6. Click + Add a Holiday.
7. Enter:
  - Holiday name
  - Holiday date
8. Select the Status:
  - Open – business is open on the holiday
  - Closed – business is closed on the holiday
9. If Open, click Add Business Hours and define the hours of operation.
10. Click Save.
11. > [!TIP]
> Tip:
> 
> You can create multiple holiday schedules. Verify the time zone and holiday dates before saving.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/e3a59e39-abd3-4423-964c-0a4008dc5673/Images/Documentation/29177)

## **Step Two: Configure Holiday Call Handling Rules**

Holiday call-handling rules determine how calls are routed during holiday hours that are open or closed.

### **To manage holiday call handling:**

1. Navigate to the Auto Attendant using the **Navigation Path**.
2. Go to **Call Handling Menus**. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/e3a59e39-abd3-4423-964c-0a4008dc5673/Images/Documentation/29178)
3. Select the Holiday tab.
4. Choose one:
  - Holiday Open Hours Menu
  - Holiday Closed Hours Menu

> [!NOTE]
> Note:
> 
> A Site must be selected before Call Handling Menus are visible.

---

### Choose Holiday Menu Behavior

Select one of the following options:

| Option | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Use Weekdays Open Hours Menu | Uses the same rules as normal business hours |
| Define Custom | Creates holiday-specific call-handling rules |

---

### Add Key-Based Actions

1. Click Add Key.
2. Select the key callers will press.
3. Choose an Action.
4. Click Save.
5. Save the Auto Attendant profile.

---

### Available Actions

Routing Actions

- Go To Submenu
- Auto Attendant (requires two Auto Attendants)
- Transfer to:
  - Call Queue
  - User
  - Ring Group
  - External Number (for third-party services)
- Voice Mail System

Directory Options

- Company Directory
- Dial by Name
- Dial by Extension

Menu Action

- Repeat Menu

---

## Step Three: Manage Holiday Greetings

You can configure greetings for:

- Holiday Open Hours Menu
- Holiday Closed Hours Menu

You may also skip greetings and route callers directly to voicemail or another destination.

---

### 3.1 Record a Holiday Greeting

1. Navigate to the Auto Attendant using the Navigation Path.
2. Go to Call Handling Menus.
3. Select Holiday Open Hours Menu or Holiday Closed Hours Menu.
4. Select Play Audio.
5. Click Select File.
6. Choose Call a phone number to record.
7. Enter:
  - Recording name
  - Phone number or extension
8. Click Call Now and follow the recording prompts.
9. Click Save.

---

### 3.2 Upload a Holiday Greeting

1. Navigate to the Auto Attendant.
2. Go to Call Handling Menus.
3. Select Holiday Open Hours Menu or Holiday Closed Hours Menu.
4. Select Play audio file.
5. Click Select File → Upload an audio file.
6. Enter the recording name.
7. Upload the audio file by dragging it into the window or clicking to browse.
8. Click Save.

---

### 3.3 Skip Playing a Holiday Greeting (Optional)

To route callers immediately without a greeting:

1. Open the Holiday Open Hours Menu or Holiday Closed Hours Menu.
2. Select Skip Playing Prompt.
3. Configure the destination (for example, voicemail or an external number).
4. Save the Auto Attendant.

---

## Step Four: Forward Calls Using an Announcement-Only Greeting (Optional)

This option plays a message and then automatically forwards the call to an external number.

### Steps

1. Navigate to the Auto Attendant using the Navigation Path.
2. Click Edit Settings.
3. Set the wait time before the next action.
4. (Optional) Enable Dial an Extension at Any Point.
5. Set If the user inputs no key, replay the menu to 0.
6. Under And Then, select Route To.
7. Enter the external phone number.
8. Click Save.
9. Save the Auto Attendant profile.

---

## Additional Information

- Auto Attendants do not support SMS.
- Holiday schedules override regular business hours on the specified dates.
- For standard hours, see [Set Up Business and After Hours Schedule](/support/docs/set-up-business-and-after-hours-rules-in-8x8-admin-console) in Admin Console.
- Holiday Hours can also be configured in 8x8 Contact Center. See [Add a Holiday Schedule and Script in 8x8 Contact Center.](/support/docs/add-a-holiday-to-a-schedule-and-script-in-8x8-contact-center)

---

## Result

- Your Auto Attendant now follows holiday-specific schedules, greetings, and call-handling rules on the defined dates.