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

Updated: 01/05/2026

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.         
  5. Go to Holiday Exceptions.
  6. Click + Add a Holiday.
  7. Enter the Holiday Name and Date.
  8. Select the Status:
    • Open – business remains open on the holiday
    • Closed – business is closed on the holiday
  1. If Open, click Add Business Hours and enter the hours of operation.
  2. Click Save.
Tip: You can create multiple holiday schedules. Confirm the correct time zone and holiday dates before proceeding.

2. 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.                  
  3. Select the Holiday tab.
  4. Choose one of the following:
    • Holiday Open Hours Menu
    • Holiday Closed Hours Menu
Note: A Site must be selected before Call Handling Menus are visible.

Choose how holiday rules behave:

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

To add key-based actions:

  1. Click Add Key.
  2. Select the Key callers will press.
  3. Choose an Action (see available actions below).
  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
    • External Number (for third-party services)
    • Ring Group
  • Voice Mail System
  • Directory Options
    • Company Directory
    • Dial by Name
    • Dial by Extension
  • Action
    • Repeat Menu

3. Manage Holiday Greetings

You can customize greetings for:
  • Holiday Open Hours Menu
  • Holiday Closed Hours Menu
You can also skip greetings entirely 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 the Name and 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 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 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 the screen.
  8. Click Save.

3.3 Skip Playing a Greeting (Optional)

To route callers immediately without playing a greeting:
  1. Open the Holiday Open Hours Menu or Holiday Closed Hours Menu.
  2. Select Skip Playing Prompt.
  3. Configure the destination (voicemail, external number, etc.).

4. Forward Calls Using an Announcement-Only Greeting (Optional)

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

To configure announcement-only forwarding:

  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. Set And Then to Route To.
  7. Enter the external phone number.
  8. Click Save.
  9. Save the Auto Attendant profile.

Additional Information