What should a closed for holidays message say?
A customer who finds the door locked without warning feels forgotten, and goes elsewhere. One who was told comes back, sometimes with a kind word about your holiday. It all comes down to a clear message, visible where customers look.
The templates below are sorted by channel. Replace the brackets, keep sentences short, and always give the day of the week with the date: “Monday 24 August” reads faster than “24/08”.
Which messages should go on the window or door?
A window sign is read while walking past: write big, use few words, and put it up two to three weeks before you close.
1. Simple sign (any business)
CLOSED FOR HOLIDAYS from [Monday 3] to [Sunday 23 August] inclusive. Reopening on [Monday 24 August] at [9am]. Happy holidays, everyone! The [name] team
2. Sign with a solution in the meantime (bakery, deli)
We’re taking a short break from [date] to [date]. Please order your [bread, cakes] before [date]. See you again on [day date] from [7am]! [Name]
3. Closed for refurbishment
[Name] is getting a makeover! Closed for refurbishment from [date] to [date]. Reopening on [day date]: come and see the result. Thank you for your patience.
4. One-off closure of a day or two (stocktake, training)
Closed on [day date] for [stocktake / staff training]. We look forward to welcoming you again from [day date] at [time]. Thank you for your understanding.
Free tool, no sign-up
Marketing calendar for local businesses
Spot the key dates of the year (holidays, sales, back to school) to place your closure at the right time and prepare your messages.
What voicemail and out-of-office message should you use?
The voicemail is often the first contact for customers planning a visit, and the only one for a tradesperson. Say straight away that you are closed, then when you are back, then the alternative.
5. Voicemail for a shop or restaurant
Hello, you’ve reached [name]. We’re closed for holidays until [day date] inclusive and we’ll be back on [day date] from [time]. You can [book online on our website / email us at address]. Have a great day!
6. Voicemail for a tradesperson
Hello, you’ve reached [name], [trade]. I’m away until [day date]. For a quote, leave your name, number and the town of the job, or send a request via [website], and I’ll call you back when I return. For emergencies, you can reach [colleague / number], who is covering for me.
Only give a cover number if that person has agreed to cover for you.
7. Out-of-office email reply
Hello, thank you for your message. [Name] is closed for holidays from [date] to [date]. Your message will be read when we return on [day date], and we’ll reply in the following days. Our website is still open for bookings: [link]. Speak soon, [first name]
Which email should you send customers before closing?
An email to customers who gave you their address saves wasted trips and reminds them you exist before the break. It can also bring in purchases or bookings before you close.
8. Information email
Subject: [Name] is closed for holidays from [date] to [date]. Hi [first name], the whole team is taking a break from [day date] to [day date] inclusive. We reopen on [day date] at [time]. Until then, [you can still visit us until Saturday 1 / book your table for September online]. Thank you for your loyalty, and have a lovely summer! [First name], [name]
9. Reopening email
Subject: We’re back at [name]! Hi [first name], we’re open again since [day] with [what’s new: the autumn menu, new treatments, a new collection]. We look forward to seeing you soon. [First name], [name]
A purely practical message (your closing dates) informs your customers. If it includes a commercial offer (a sale before you close), email marketing rules apply in most countries: in the UK, the ICO’s soft opt-in covers previous customers who bought a similar product or service, with an easy opt-out in every message. The local business newsletter guide covers these rules.
And on your website or booking page?
On your website, the message must be visible on the home page, at the top, and online booking must block the closed days: otherwise a customer books a table or an appointment on a day you are closed.
13. Website banner
Closed for holidays from [day date] to [day date] inclusive. Reopening on [day date]. You can already book for when we’re back.
On a Voxtya website, you enter your holiday dates once with your message: a “Closed for holidays” banner shows on the website three weeks before, and those days cannot be booked online.
14. Restaurant message (bookings)
The restaurant is closed from [date] to [date]. Bookings for our reopening on [day date] are open: reserve your table online now. See you soon!
15. Hotel or B&B message (seasonal closure)
[Name] is closed for the winter season from [date] to [date]. Bookings for the [year] season are open: contact us or book online. Thank you and see you soon!
When should you publish each message?
| When | What |
|---|---|
| The day you set your dates | Add them to your Google profile (special hours, or temporary closure set at the right time) and to your website |
| 2 to 3 weeks before | Window sign, website banner, first social media post |
| 1 week before | Email to customers; reminder to customers with an appointment or an order in progress |
| The day before closing | Voicemail, out-of-office reply, “last day” post, Google status |
| Reopening day | Remove “Temporarily closed”, reopening post and email, take the sign down |
- The dates are the same everywhere (window, Google, website, voicemail, social media).
- Every date has its day of the week.
- The reopening includes the time.
- The closed days are blocked in your booking calendar.
- A reminder is in your diary to set your Google profile back to “open”.
The steps at a glance
The steps to tell customers about a closure on every channel, without forgetting anything.
- Set the dates. Exact dates, reopening day and time, a solution in the meantime.
- Update Google. Special hours for up to 6 days, “Temporarily closed” from 7 days.
- Warn 2 to 3 weeks ahead. Window sign, website banner, social media post.
- Send the email. A week before, to customers who gave you their address.
- Change the voicemail. The day before: closure message, out-of-office email reply.
- Reopen everywhere. On your return: Google status, reopening post and email.
Do it without spending your evenings on it
The Voxtya Website service
Enter your holiday dates once: a “Closed for holidays” banner shows on your website three weeks before and those days are closed to online booking. €29/month, 30-day free trial.
This guide for your trade
Go further
Sources
The rules quoted in this guide come from these official pages, checked on October 26, 2026.