Texas Holiday Custody Schedule: How Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Other Holidays Work

Between school breaks, travel plans, and family traditions, the holidays are when co-parenting gets tested the most. If you’re divorced or have a custody order in place, knowing exactly how your Texas holiday custody schedule works can head off last-minute arguments and keep the season about your kids. This guide walks through how Texas courts divide Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break, and other special days, and what to do when the schedule doesn’t fit your family.

How Does the Texas Holiday Custody Schedule Work?

The Texas holiday custody schedule most families follow comes from the Standard Possession Order, and its holiday periods take priority over the regular weekend and Thursday schedule. Most holidays alternate between parents by even and odd years. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and spring break are the big ones, and each follows its own rule. Birthdays, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day work differently.

These rules come from Chapter 153 of the Texas Family Code and apply when a court order uses the Standard Possession Order. In the order, the parent who has the right to decide where the child lives is called the managing conservator, and the other parent is the possessory conservator. If your order is different, your written order controls. If you’re not sure which one you have, see our overview of how a SAPCR creates custody orders in Texas.

Who Gets the Kids for Thanksgiving in Texas?

Under the Texas holiday custody schedule, Thanksgiving alternates every year. In odd-numbered years, the possessory conservator has the children. In even-numbered years, the managing conservator has them. Because 2026 is an even-numbered year, the managing conservator has Thanksgiving this year.

The Thanksgiving period starts at 6:00 p.m. on the day school is dismissed for the holiday and ends at 6:00 p.m. on the following Sunday. For example, Northside ISD’s 2026-27 calendar shows no school November 23-27, so the weekend would run into Sunday, November 29. Always check your own district’s calendar, because dismissal dates differ between districts.

How Is Christmas Divided Under a Texas Custody Order?

Instead of alternating the whole holiday, the Texas holiday custody schedule splits the Christmas break into two halves and swaps them each year:

• First half: from the time school is dismissed for the Christmas break until noon on December 28.
• Second half: from noon on December 28 until 6:00 p.m. on the day before school resumes.

In even-numbered years, the possessory conservator gets the first half (which includes Christmas Day) and the managing conservator gets the second half. In odd-numbered years, they switch. So in 2026, the possessory conservator has Christmas Day, and the managing conservator has New Year’s. In 2027, it flips.

Many families find this split works well because each parent gets a real block of time. Others prefer to trade the halves or build their own plan, which is possible if both parents agree in writing.

What About Spring Break and Summer?

Spring break alternates too. When the parents live 100 miles apart or less, the possessory conservator has spring break in even-numbered years and the managing conservator has it in odd-numbered years. It runs from 6:00 p.m. on the day school lets out until 6:00 p.m. the day before school resumes.

Summer is separate from the holiday schedule, but it’s worth planning early. The possessory conservator gets 30 days, and must give written notice by April 1 to choose the dates. Without notice, the period defaults to July 1 through July 31. If the parents live more than 100 miles apart, the periods are longer, as explained in our post on child relocation and custody law.

Birthdays, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day

Special days don’t always follow the same pattern:

• Child’s birthday: The parent who would not otherwise have the child that day gets a visit from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. That parent picks up and returns the child.
• Mother’s Day: A mother who is a conservator has the child from 6:00 p.m. on the Friday before until 6:00 p.m. on Mother’s Day.
• Father’s Day: A father who is a conservator has the same window around Father’s Day.

Each of these is part of the Texas holiday custody schedule, and these possession periods apply even if they interrupt the other parent’s regular weekend.

What If a Holiday Falls on a Long Weekend?

The Texas holiday custody schedule also adjusts when a regular weekend lines up with a school holiday or teacher in-service day: the weekend gets longer. If the holiday falls on a Monday, the weekend ends at 6:00 p.m. Monday. If it falls on a Friday, the weekend begins at 6:00 p.m. Thursday. This is another place where holiday and weekend rules can overlap, so a quick look at the calendar each fall and spring helps avoid confusion.

Can Parents Change the Texas Holiday Custody Schedule?

Yes. Parents are free to agree to a different Texas holiday custody schedule, and judges often welcome it. A few tips for making this work:

• Put it in writing. Text or email confirmation is better than a verbal promise.
• Be specific. Include dates, pickup times, and who handles transportation.
• Remember the court order still controls. If the agreement breaks down, the original order is what gets enforced.

If the standard schedule no longer fits, such as when work schedules or distance change, you can ask the court to update it. Our guide on how to modify custody or child support orders in Texas explains the process. For ideas on structuring a plan that works for everyone, see how to create a parenting plan that works, and for day-to-day tips, read navigating the holidays with an ex.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Texas Holiday Custody Schedule

Does the Texas holiday custody schedule override the regular weekend schedule?

Yes. Under the Standard Possession Order, holiday periods such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and spring break take priority over the regular weekend and Thursday visitation. After the holiday ends, the regular schedule picks back up.

Who has the kids for Christmas in even-numbered years?

In even-numbered years, the possessory conservator has the first half of the Christmas break, from school dismissal until noon on December 28, and the managing conservator has the second half. In odd-numbered years, the halves are reversed.

What time does Thanksgiving possession start in Texas?

Thanksgiving possession starts at 6:00 p.m. on the day school is dismissed for the holiday and ends at 6:00 p.m. the following Sunday. The possessory conservator has it in odd-numbered years, and the managing conservator has it in even-numbered years.

Can we trade holidays if we both agree?

Yes. Parents can agree to swap or change holiday time, ideally in writing. Keep in mind that the court order stays in effect, so either parent can still go back to the written schedule if the arrangement stops working.

What happens if the other parent won’t follow the holiday schedule?

Keep records, such as texts, emails, and calendar notes, and consult a family law attorney. A parent who withholds court-ordered possession may face enforcement action, and the court can order remedies for repeated violations.

Get Clear on Your Texas Holiday Custody Schedule

Disputes over the Texas holiday custody schedule are stressful, and they tend to show up right when families want peace. Attorney Matthew Gilbert helps parents across San Antonio, Boerne, and the surrounding area understand their orders, negotiate workable changes, and enforce the Texas holiday custody schedule when needed. Learn more about our San Antonio child custody attorney services, or if you’re in Bexar County or Kendall County, we can review how your order applies to your situation.

For a broader look at your rights, read understanding Texas child custody laws or see our page on custody disputes. When you’re ready to talk through your options, contact Gilbert Law Office today to schedule a consultation.

External references: Texas Family Code Chapter 153 sets out the Standard Possession Order and holiday possession rules, and TexasLawHelp.org offers free general information for Texas families. This post is general information, not legal advice for your situation.