Holiday and Vacation Custody Schedules: Templates and Tips

A father in Ohio spent Thanksgiving alone for the second year in a row. His divorce decree said he and his ex-wife would “alternate holidays,” but the order never defined when Thanksgiving started or ended. His ex-wife interpreted it as the entire Thanksgiving weekend — Thursday through Sunday. He interpreted it as Thanksgiving Day only. Because the court order was vague, neither parent was technically wrong, and the dispute dragged on for months before a judge clarified the language. The fix took 15 minutes in court. The conflict took a year.

Holiday and vacation custody schedules prevent exactly this kind of problem. A well-drafted holiday schedule overrides the regular parenting time arrangement, specifies exact dates and times, and eliminates the ambiguity that fuels co-parenting disputes. Whether you are drafting a parenting plan for the first time or modifying an existing order, getting the holiday schedule right is one of the most important things you can do.

This guide covers the most common approaches to holiday custody scheduling, provides templates for major holidays and school breaks, and offers practical tips for making your schedule work. For a broader look at creating a parenting plan, see our guide on how to create a parenting plan. For general custody information, see child custody laws explained.

Why Holiday Schedules Matter

Holiday provisions override the regular custody schedule. Without them, parents are left to argue over whether the regular Wednesday overnight applies during Christmas week or who gets the child on a three-day weekend that falls during the other parent’s time.

Courts expect holiday schedules to be specific. A well-drafted holiday schedule answers three questions for every holiday:

1. Which parent has the child? Either by alternating years, splitting the day, or assigning fixed holidays.
2. When does the holiday period start and end? Exact dates and times — not “Thanksgiving” but “Wednesday before Thanksgiving at 6:00 PM to Friday at 6:00 PM.”
3. What happens when the holiday conflicts with the regular schedule? The holiday schedule takes priority, and the regular schedule resumes after the holiday period ends.

Most family courts provide holiday schedule forms or templates. California uses the “Children’s Holiday Schedule Attachment.” Many other states include holiday provisions in their standard parenting plan forms. Even if your state does not require a specific format, including detailed holiday provisions in your custody order prevents future disputes.

Four Approaches to Holiday Scheduling

Courts and family law attorneys generally recognize four methods for dividing holidays between parents. Most families use a combination of these approaches depending on the holiday.

1. Alternating Years

Each parent gets the child for the entire holiday in alternating years. One parent has Thanksgiving in even-numbered years; the other has it in odd-numbered years. The following year, they swap.

Works best for: Single-day holidays (Thanksgiving Day, Easter, Independence Day) and holidays where the full experience matters more than splitting time.

Example:

• Parent A: Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and Independence Day in even years
• Parent B: Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and Independence Day in odd years
• The following year, they trade

Advantage: Each parent gets the complete holiday experience — the morning, the meal, the traditions.

Disadvantage: Each parent goes a full year between celebrations of each holiday with their child.

2. Splitting the Holiday

Parents divide the holiday itself, with the child spending part of the day with each parent. This works when parents live close to each other and transitions are practical.

Works best for: Christmas (splitting Eve and Day), Thanksgiving (morning and evening), and other holidays where proximity allows a midday transition.

Example:

• Parent A: Christmas Eve at 4:00 PM through Christmas Day at 1:00 PM
• Parent B: Christmas Day at 1:00 PM through December 26 at 9:00 AM
• The following year, they swap the Eve and Day assignments

Advantage: The child sees both parents on the holiday itself.

Disadvantage: Requires transitions during the holiday, which can be disruptive — especially for young children. Also requires parents to live near each other.

3. Fixed Holidays

Certain holidays are permanently assigned to one parent every year. This is common for holidays tied to a specific parent — Mother’s Day always goes to the mother, Father’s Day always to the father — and for holidays with religious or cultural significance to one parent.

Works best for: Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, each parent’s birthday, religious holidays that one parent observes, and cultural celebrations specific to one parent’s heritage.

Example:

• Mother’s Day: Always with the mother
• Father’s Day: Always with the father
• Easter: Always with Parent A (who attends church regularly)
• Eid al-Fitr: Always with Parent B (who observes Ramadan)

Advantage: Predictable and consistent. Preserves traditions.

Disadvantage: Not equitable for holidays where both parents want time. Works only for holidays with a clear connection to one parent.

4. Celebrating Twice

Both parents celebrate the holiday with the child, but on different days. One parent has the child on the actual holiday; the other celebrates on a nearby date.

Works best for: Birthdays, Christmas (one parent celebrates on December 24 or 26), and any holiday where the experience matters more than the calendar date.

Example:

• Parent A: Celebrates the child’s birthday on the actual date
• Parent B: Celebrates the child’s birthday the following weekend
• The following year, they swap who gets the actual date

Advantage: The child gets two celebrations. No midday transitions.

Disadvantage: The “second” celebration may feel less special, particularly as children get older and more aware of calendar dates.

Holiday Schedule Templates

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of the most commonly disputed holidays because it involves extended family gatherings and travel.

Tip: Define whether “Thanksgiving” means Thursday only or the entire long weekend. This is the single most common point of confusion.

Christmas and Winter Break

Christmas scheduling is the most complex because it involves Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and often a two-week school break.

Option 1: Split Eve and Day

• Parent A: December 24 at 4:00 PM through December 25 at 1:00 PM
• Parent B: December 25 at 1:00 PM through December 26 at 9:00 AM
• Swap assignments the following year

Option 2: Split winter break

• Parent A: First half of winter break (school dismissal through December 26 at noon)
• Parent B: Second half (December 26 at noon through the day before school resumes)
• Swap halves the following year

Option 3: Alternate Christmas and New Year’s

• In even years, Parent A has December 23 through December 26, Parent B has December 27 through January 2
• In odd years, they swap

For families where parents live in different states, Option 2 or 3 works better because it provides longer uninterrupted blocks of time and reduces midweek travel.

Spring Break

Spring break is typically one week. Common approaches include:

• Alternating years: Parent A has the full break in even years; Parent B in odd years
• Split: Parent A gets the first half; Parent B gets the second half (swap annually)
• Non-custodial parent priority: The parent who does not have primary physical custody gets the entire spring break, giving the child extended time with that parent

Summer Vacation

Summer scheduling depends heavily on the regular custody arrangement and each parent’s work schedule. Common formats include:

Extended blocks: Each parent receives two to four consecutive weeks of uninterrupted time during the summer. The rest of the summer follows the regular schedule.

Alternating weeks: Parents alternate week-on/week-off throughout the summer, which works well for families that already use this schedule during the school year.

Split summer: The summer is divided into two equal halves. Parent A has the first half; Parent B has the second half. This gives each parent an extended period and works well for long-distance families.

Vacation allowances: Each parent receives a set number of vacation weeks (typically two to three) that they can schedule with advance notice (usually 30 to 60 days). The rest of the summer follows the regular schedule.

Tip: Include a notice provision for summer vacation plans. Most orders require 30 to 60 days’ notice before the vacation period begins. First-choice deadlines (where one parent picks first, alternating annually) prevent scheduling conflicts.

Three-Day Weekends and Minor Holidays

For Monday holidays (Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day), common approaches include:

• Extend the regular weekend: If the holiday falls during a parent’s regular weekend, they keep the child through Monday
• Alternate: Parents alternate three-day weekends regardless of the regular schedule
• Non-custodial parent: The non-custodial parent gets all three-day weekends to increase their parenting time

Child’s Birthday

The child’s birthday is a special category that most parenting plans address separately.

• Alternating years: One parent has the child on the actual birthday; the other celebrates on a nearby day
• Shared: Both parents attend a single celebration (works only for low-conflict co-parents)
• Split: Morning and afternoon with different parents
• Current schedule applies: The birthday falls wherever it falls on the regular schedule, with the other parent getting a brief visit or phone call

Long-Distance and Interstate Considerations

When parents live in different states or more than a few hours apart, holiday scheduling requires additional planning.

Travel logistics. Specify who pays for travel and how the child travels. Many orders split costs or alternate which parent covers transportation. For air travel, specify whether the child flies as an unaccompanied minor or whether a parent accompanies them.

Longer blocks preferred. Short holiday visits are impractical when travel takes a full day. Long-distance families typically use alternating holidays with extended periods (the full Thanksgiving week, the entire winter break) rather than splitting individual holidays.

Notice requirements. Long-distance orders often require more advance notice for travel — 45 to 60 days rather than 30 — to secure reasonable airfares and coordinate schedules.

Travel itineraries. Many orders require the traveling parent to provide a detailed itinerary including flight information, hotel addresses, and contact numbers. This is both a safety measure and a practical one.

Passport provisions. If international travel is possible, address passport custody and requirements for written consent from the non-traveling parent. Some orders prohibit international travel without both parents’ consent or court approval.

Tips for Making Your Holiday Schedule Work

Be Specific About Times

“Christmas with Parent A” is a recipe for conflict. “December 24 at 5:00 PM through December 26 at 10:00 AM” is enforceable. Every holiday entry should include:

• The name of the holiday
• Start date and time
• End date and time
• Pickup and drop-off location
• Which year (even/odd) or whether it is fixed

Build in Flexibility

Rigid schedules create problems when real life intervenes. Include a clause that allows parents to trade holidays or adjust times by mutual written agreement (text or email). This way, the default schedule provides structure, but cooperative parents can adapt without going back to court.

Address Conflicts Between Holidays and the Regular Schedule

State clearly that the holiday schedule takes priority over the regular schedule. After the holiday period ends, the regular schedule resumes. If a holiday period causes one parent to miss their regular time, specify whether makeup time is provided.

Include a “Right of First Refusal” Provision

If the parent who has the child during a holiday cannot be with the child for a portion of that time (due to work, travel, or other obligations), the other parent should have the first right to care for the child before a babysitter or other caregiver is used. This is common in custody orders and particularly relevant during long holiday breaks.

Plan for New Traditions

Holidays after divorce are different. Both parents are building new traditions, and children need time to adjust. Consider which traditions matter most to your family and design the schedule to preserve them where possible. A child who has always spent Christmas morning opening gifts at home will adjust better if the schedule allows for that tradition to continue with at least one parent.

Use a Shared Calendar

A shared digital calendar — through a co-parenting app like OurFamilyWizard, Talking Parents, or even Google Calendar — prevents miscommunication about which parent has the child on which holiday. Update it at the beginning of each year with the full holiday schedule so both parents can plan accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What holidays should be included in a custody schedule?

At minimum, include Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Easter or Passover, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, each parent’s birthday, the child’s birthday, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. Many families also include Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Halloween, and any religious or cultural holidays significant to either parent. School breaks (winter, spring, summer) should be addressed separately.

Do holidays override the regular custody schedule?

Yes. In virtually all custody orders, the holiday schedule takes priority over the regular parenting time schedule. When the holiday period ends, the regular schedule resumes from whatever point it would normally be at. If a parent loses regular time because of a holiday, whether they get makeup time depends on the specific order.

How do courts handle Halloween?

Halloween is increasingly included in custody orders because it is important to children. Common approaches include alternating years, splitting the evening (trick-or-treating with one parent, then overnight with the other), or giving the parent who has the child that day under the regular schedule the Halloween evening as well. Some orders specify that the child can trick-or-treat in both neighborhoods.

What if parents cannot agree on a holiday schedule?

If parents cannot reach agreement, the court will impose a schedule based on the child’s best interests. Courts generally default to alternating major holidays by year and assigning Mother’s Day and Father’s Day to the respective parent. Mediation is often required or recommended before a judge makes the decision. See our guide on custody mediation for more.

Can a holiday schedule be modified?

Yes. Like any custody order, a holiday schedule can be modified if there is a material change in circumstances. Common reasons include a parent’s relocation, a change in work schedule, or the child’s changing needs as they grow. Parents can also modify the schedule by mutual agreement, ideally in writing, without going back to court. For more on the modification process, see our guide on how to modify a custody order.

How This Guide Was Researched

This guide was created by reviewing publicly available legal information from official state statutes, judiciary websites, court resources, and family law publications. The goal is to explain family law topics in plain English so readers can better understand the process before speaking with an attorney.

Sources and Legal References

This guide is based on publicly available legal information and official sources, including:

• Holiday Custody Schedules: Examples, Tips, & Templates — OurFamilyWizard
• Making Your Holiday Visitation Schedule — Custody X Change
• 5 Proven Holiday Parenting Schedules — The Marks Law Firm
• School Breaks Custody Schedule Guide — Happ Law Group
• Out-of-State Custody & Visitation Schedule Ideas — Custody X Change

For more about how we research our guides, see our editorial policy and sources methodology.

Related Guides

Learn more about related family law topics:

• How to Create a Parenting Plan
• Child Custody Laws Explained
• Long-Distance Custody
• Supervised Visitation
• Types of Child Custody
• Child Support Calculator
• Get a Free Consultation

Last updated: March 2026. This guide summarizes general legal information based on publicly available sources and is provided for educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.