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Holidate (2020) movie poster

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Holidate (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 104 min · English
Echo score 65
JustWatch #27,498 1
Directed by
John Whitesell
Starring
Mikaela Hoover, Emma Roberts, Luke Bracey, Frances Fisher, Alex Moffat, Andrew Bachelor

Two strangers, Sloane and Jackson, despise the holidays and the pressure to be in a relationship during those times. To avoid unwanted family gatherings and awkward encounters, they make a deal to be each other's "holidate" for a year. This arrangement, initially devoid of romantic intention, sees them attending festive events as a couple. As the year progresses and they navigate increasingly absurd holiday situations, an unexpected connection begins to develop, potentially leading them to find something they didn't anticipate.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (13)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Holidate
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Holidate (2020)

Where can you watch Holidate? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix and Netflix Standard: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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13 events in order · contains spoilers

Holidate Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Holidate (2020) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Sloane's Frustration with Holidays

    Sloane Benson, a woman in her thirties, dreads the holiday season due to the constant judgment she faces about her single status from her family. After breaking up with her boyfriend, she finds herself as the only single person left, heightening her annoyance with family gatherings.

    When
    During Christmas Season
    Where
    Sloane's Family Home
  2. York's Engagement

    During a family Christmas dinner, Sloane's younger brother York announces his engagement to Liz, his girlfriend of just three months. This creates additional pressure on Sloane as she feels even more isolated and judged for being single in a family celebrating love and commitment.

    When
    Christmas Dinner
    Where
    Family Dinner
  3. Jackson's Holiday Dilemma

    Meanwhile, Jackson, an Australian golfer, finds himself spending the holidays with a woman he has no attraction to and her unsupportive parents. In a moment of frustration, after a gift-related argument, he leaves, feeling trapped and disillusioned with the holiday spirit.

    When
    Christmas Season
    Where
    Unspecified Location
  4. Meeting at the Return Counter

    Sloane and Jackson's paths cross unexpectedly when they are both returning unwanted Christmas gifts. Jackson proposes an unconventional solution to their single-status woes by suggesting they become 'Holidates', only seeing each other during holidays to avoid clingy relationships.

    When
    After Christmas
    Where
    Department Store
  5. New Year's Eve Together

    Despite her initial reluctance, Sloane agrees to the Holidate pact and they spend New Year's Eve together. The night is enjoyable, but afterward, they part ways without maintaining any contact, leaving both intrigued but uncertain about each other.

    When
    New Year's Eve
    Where
    New Year Party
  6. A Valentine's Day Reunion

    On Valentine's Day, Sloane and Jackson run into each other again. To help Sloane save face from her ex and his new girlfriend, Jackson pretends to be her boyfriend, and this sparks a friendship that begins to grow over the next few holidays.

    When
    Valentine's Day
    Where
    Local Café
  7. 4th of July Incident

    The two grow closer over the summer festivities when Jackson suffers a severe accident losing a finger during their 4th of July celebrations. This incident causes a deeper bond to form between Sloane and Jackson, but Jackson begins to doubt his worthiness as her partner.

    When
    July 4th
    Where
    4th of July Barbecue
  8. Conflict at the Wedding

    At Sloane's brother's wedding, tensions arise when Jackson, feeling insecure about their relationship, attempts to help Sloane find a 'better' date. This misguided act leads to a public argument that culminates in both of their dates ending up together, intensifying the drama.

    When
    During the Wedding Reception
    Where
    Wedding Venue
  9. Halloween Mishap

    During a Halloween costume party, Sloane unknowingly ingests laxatives and ends up feeling ill. Jackson stays by her side to take care of her, and they end up sleeping together after a vulnerable moment, complicating their relationship further.

    When
    Halloween Night
    Where
    Halloween Party
  10. Thanksgiving Fight

    On Thanksgiving, Jackson opens up about his feelings for Sloane, but she reacts poorly, leading to a harsh argument. This disagreement causes a rift between them, resulting in both deciding to cut off contact as they reevaluate their emotions.

    When
    Thanksgiving Day
    Where
    Thanksgiving Gathering
  11. Timid Visit to Jackson's Place

    As Christmas approaches, Sloane struggles with her nerves and misses an opportunity to talk to Jackson when she visits his place. Her fear of revealing her true feelings leaves her feeling isolated and regretful as she heads into the holiday season.

    When
    Days Leading to Christmas
    Where
    Jackson's Place
  12. Final Confrontation

    While shopping at the mall, Sloane encounters Jackson again, and in front of a crowd, she finds the courage to confess her love for him. This heartfelt admission leads to a romantic embrace that signifies a new chapter in their relationship.

    When
    Days Before Christmas
    Where
    Shopping Mall
  13. Future Prospects

    As the end credits roll, it is revealed that all the couples from the film remain together. Sloane and Jackson are set to travel to Australia for the holidays, implying a bright future ahead for their relationship, alongside other couples reveling in love.

    When
    Post-Christmas
    Where
    Various Locations

Last updated: May 12, 2025 at 07:04

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Timeline questions answered

Holidate Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Holidate (2020): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Sloane dread the holiday season so much?

Sloane despises the holidays because her family constantly judges her for being single. After her breakup, her mother Elaine relentlessly tries to set her up with new suitors, and at Christmas dinner, her younger brother York gets engaged, leaving Sloane as the only unmarried person at the gathering.

  • sloane
  • family pressure
  • single
  • holidays
  • mother elaine
Q2

Why does Jackson suggest the Holidate arrangement?

After meeting Sloane at a department store return counter, Jackson proposes they become 'Holidates' to avoid the burden of clingy partners during holiday events. Both dislike the pressure of holiday relationships, so Jackson sees this as a practical solution where they only see each other during holidays.

  • jackson
  • holidate
  • proposal
  • agreement
Q3

Why does Jackson try to set Sloane up with someone else at the wedding?

After losing a finger during the July 4th celebration, Jackson becomes insecure about his worthiness as a partner for Sloane. Believing she deserves someone 'better,' he mistakenly tries to set her up with another date at her brother's wedding, leading to a public argument.

  • jackson
  • insecurity
  • wedding
  • finger
  • date
Q4

What causes Sloane and Jackson to break up before Christmas?

During Thanksgiving, Jackson confesses his feelings for Sloane, but she reacts poorly and makes a comment about Ryan Gosling while shopping. This triggers a heated argument, and both decide to cut off contact as they struggle with their conflicting emotions.

  • thanksgiving
  • breakup
  • confession
  • ryan gosling
  • argument
Q5

What happens at the Halloween party?

At a Halloween party, Sloane unknowingly consumes laxatives in her drink, causing her to become severely ill. Jackson stays to take care of her, and after a vulnerable moment, they end up sleeping together, complicating their friendship further.

  • halloween
  • laxatives
  • sick
  • party
  • night together
Q6

Why does Sloane push Jackson away after they sleep together?

The morning after they sleep together, Sloane's married sister arrives and mistakenly assumes something inappropriate happened. Feeling embarrassed and overwhelmed, Sloane shoves Jackson away, much to his frustration and hurt.

  • sloane
  • jackson
  • morning after
  • sister
  • rejection
Q7

How does Sloane finally confess her love to Jackson?

After missing an earlier opportunity to express her feelings at Jackson's place, Sloane encounters him at a shopping mall days before Christmas. In front of a crowd, she finds the courage to boldly confess her love for him, leading to an emotional embrace and their reunion.

  • sloane
  • confession
  • love
  • mall
  • reunion
  • christmas
Q8

What happens to all the couples in the end credits?

The end credits reveal that all couples remain together. Sloane and Jackson travel to Australia for the holidays, Aunt Susan gets engaged to Faarooq, Wally dates Sloane's mother Elaine, and Neil dates Carly's Mom, showing that the holidays brought everyone closer.

  • end credits
  • couples
  • australia
  • aunt susan
  • wally
  • mother
Q9

Why is Jackson spending Christmas with someone he's not interested in?

Jackson, an Australian golfer, finds himself stuck with a woman he has no attraction to during the holidays. After she gets frustrated about the lack of Christmas gifts (which they had mutually agreed to skip), Jackson leaves in anger, similar to Sloane's own frustrating holiday experience.

  • jackson
  • australian
  • golfer
  • christmas
  • date
Q10

Why does Jackson pretend to be Sloane's boyfriend on Valentine's Day?

On Valentine's Day, Sloane runs into her ex and his glamorous new girlfriend. To help her save face, Jackson pretends to be her boyfriend. This act strengthens their friendship and marks the beginning of their romantic journey together.

  • valentines day
  • fake boyfriend
  • ex
  • friendship

Movie threads

More Movies Like Holidate, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Holidate tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Fake Relationship Movies Like Holidate

Stories where a practical arrangement unravels into genuine feelings. If you enjoyed the 'fake dating' trope in Holidate, explore more movies like it. This collection features romantic comedies and light dramas where characters start with a practical arrangement—be it as holidates, fake fiancés, or marriage contracts—and find themselves on a journey toward authentic love, filled with comedic mishaps and heartwarming realizations.

  • awkward
  • heartwarming
  • playful
  • romantic
  • uplifting
  • comfy
  • Tone: light, humorous, heartwarming
  • Pacing: steady, episodic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a structured progression: a deal is struck for mutual benefit, leading to a series of shared events that test the arrangement. Initial disdain or indifference gives way to camaraderie, then deeper affection, culminating in a crisis where the 'fake' nature of the relationship is exposed, forcing a choice between the safety of the deal and the risk of real love.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared 'contract-to-love' plot structure. They consistently blend light comedy with a steady, predictable romantic arc, creating a comforting viewing experience where the focus is on the 'how' and 'when' of the characters falling in love, rather than 'if'.

Holiday Romance Comedies Similar to Holidate

Lighthearted love stories set against a backdrop of chaotic holiday celebrations. For viewers who liked the festive, year-long journey of Holidate, this section features similar movies that use holidays as a narrative engine. These films are light, upbeat rom-coms filled with seasonal cheer, family gatherings, and the predictable but delightful tension that leads to a happy, heartwarming ending perfect for a cozy watch.

  • festive
  • uplifting
  • heartwarming
  • comfy
  • silly
  • romantic
  • Tone: festive, uplifting, light
  • Pacing: steady, holiday-paced
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative is often episodic, using holidays as natural chapter breaks to advance the central relationship. The tone is consistently light, using holiday-specific traditions and family pressures as sources of both comedy and character growth. The conflict is generally low-stakes social anxiety or romantic misunderstanding, resolved neatly by the final celebration.

Why they belong together: These movies share a specific vibe: the combination of romantic comedy conventions with the warm, familiar aesthetics of holidays. The pacing is steady, the emotional weight is light, and the experience is designed to be uplifting and comfortably predictable, like a favorite seasonal tradition.

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Movies Like Holidate

Similar movies to Holidate: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

Holidate (2020) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Holidate in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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