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

Objective

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

1. Create a Holiday Schedule

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
    
8.  

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   Overview

   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.
     

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    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)
     
16.  

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    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.

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

Step Two: Configure Holiday Call Handling Rules

To manage holiday call handling:

1. Navigate to the Auto Attendant using the Navigation Path.
2. Go to Call Handling Menus.               
   
3. Select the Holiday tab.
    
4. Choose one:
    
   • Holiday Open Hours Menu
      
   • Holiday Closed Hours Menu
      

Choose Holiday Menu Behavior

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

• 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
   

• Company Directory
   
• Dial by Name
   
• Dial by Extension
   

• Repeat Menu
   

Step Three: Manage Holiday Greetings

• Holiday Open Hours Menu
   
• Holiday Closed Hours Menu
   

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)

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)

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 in Admin Console.
   
• Holiday Hours can also be configured in 8x8 Contact Center. See Add a Holiday Schedule and Script in 8x8 Contact Center.
   

Result