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Timeline

The Holiday Calendar (2018) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2018 · 95 min · English
Echo score 71
JustWatch #33,814 3
Directed by
Bradley Walsh
Starring
Katerina Graham, Ethan Peck, Ron C. Jones, Ali Hassan, Genelle Williams, Kevin Hanchard

A photographer named Abby feels her life has stalled until she unexpectedly inherits an antique Advent calendar. Each day reveals surprising prophecies about love and potential. As Christmas approaches, the calendar suggests a romantic encounter on Christmas Eve. Abby must then decide whether to embrace fate and accept that the most unexpected gifts can bring the greatest happiness.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (14)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like The Holiday Calendar
  6. 6 Categories
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Holiday Calendar (2018)

Where can you watch The Holiday Calendar? 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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14 events in order · contains spoilers

The Holiday Calendar Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Holiday Calendar (2018) 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. Abby Receives the Advent Calendar

    Abby Sutton, an aspiring photographer, receives an Advent calendar from her grandfather. Initially indifferent, she decides to take it home, unaware of the surprises it holds for her life.

    When
    December 1
  2. First Day Surprise

    On the first day of December, Abby opens the calendar to find a pair of boots. Coincidentally, her friend Josh returns from his travels with a stylish pair of boots he bought in Italy, igniting a spark of nostalgia.

    When
    December 1
  3. Christmas Tree Encounter

    The next day, Abby receives a stunning Christmas tree from the calendar. As she admires it, she has a fateful encounter with Ty Walker, a charming man whose tree unexpectedly falls in front of her.

    When
    December 2
  4. Nutcracker Connection

    On December 3, the Advent calendar presents Abby with a nutcracker, mirroring the costume of Ty's daughter in a school play featuring Abby's niece. Their interaction deepens as they realize their lives are intertwined through these whimsical coincidences.

    When
    December 3
  5. A Date with Ty

    After a visit to the clinic for her sprained wrist, Ty asks Abby out on a date. Excited about this new romance, Abby accepts and their relationship blossoms.

    Where
    Clinic
  6. Tension with Josh

    Amidst her growing affection for Ty, Abby senses an underlying tension with Josh, who has harbored feelings for her. This emotional complexity complicates Abby's relationship as doubts start to emerge.

  7. Breaking Things Off

    After some time, Abby discusses the magic of the calendar with Ty, but he dismisses her beliefs, leading to a heated argument. Hurt and disillusioned, Abby decides to end their relationship.

  8. Unexpected Setbacks

    Following their breakup, Abby experiences a series of setbacks, including getting fired from her job. A heated dispute with Josh ends in him leaving for Florida, creating a rift between them.

  9. Sister's Success

    Abby's sister showcases her photography talents at a school auction, earning recognition from their parents. This newfound appreciation for Abby's skills begins to shift perceptions around her passion.

  10. The Calendar's Return

    To Abby's astonishment, the Advent calendar mysteriously reappears at her doorstep after being sold at the auction. It comes with a heartfelt note from Josh inviting her to meet him on Christmas Day.

    When
    Christmas Day
  11. Reunion and Surprise

    When they meet, Josh reveals he has purchased a photography studio for both of them. This romantic gesture reignites the feelings Abby had repressed, leading to a heartfelt exchange.

    When
    Christmas Day
    Where
    Photography Studio
  12. First Kiss in the Snow

    As snow begins to fall, Abby shares her feelings for Josh, who reciprocates. Their relationship culminates in a tender kiss, symbolizing their reunion and a new beginning.

    When
    Christmas Day
    Where
    Outside
  13. A Gift of Love

    Inside the new studio, Abby surprises Josh with a thoughtful Christmas gift—a new camera. Their playful banter transitions to a heartfelt declaration of love, marking a significant moment in their relationship.

    Where
    Photography Studio
  14. Grand Opening of Studio

    One year later, Abby and Josh celebrate their grand opening of the photography studio. As they welcome customers, they reflect on their journey filled with love, passion, and shared dreams.

    Where
    Photography Studio

Last updated: November 15, 2024 at 20:18

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Timeline questions answered

The Holiday Calendar Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Holiday Calendar (2018): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Abby break up with Ty?

Abby breaks up with Ty after she shares her belief in the calendar's magical properties. Ty dismisses her experiences as nonsense and criticizes her perspective, which hurts Abby. This dismissal of something meaningful to her leads her to end the relationship.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, the calendar's increasingly specific predictions had built Abby's confidence in its magic, making Ty's rejection feel like a betrayal.

  • ty walker
  • breakup
  • advent calendar
  • magic
  • dismissal
Q2

What happens to the Advent calendar after it's sold at the auction?

After Abby's sister displays her photography at a school auction, the Advent calendar is also sold there. However, the next day it mysteriously reappears on Abby's doorstep with a note from Josh inviting her to meet him on Christmas Day.

  • advent calendar
  • auction
  • josh
  • return
  • mystery
Q3

Does the Advent calendar have real magical powers?

The calendar appears to have prophetic properties, each day's item corresponds exactly to events in Abby's life. The boots appear on December 1 when Josh returns with boots from Italy, the tree on December 2 leads to meeting Ty, and the nutcracker connects to Ty's daughter in the school play.

Foreshadowing: The calendar's predictions begin matching real events from the very first day, establishing its magical nature.

  • advent calendar
  • magic
  • prophecy
  • coincidence
Q4

Why does Josh leave for Florida after the argument with Abby?

After Abby is fired from her job following an incident where Josh accidentally erased her photos from a tree-lighting ceremony, they have a heated argument. Josh leaves to visit his parents in Florida, creating a temporary rift in their friendship.

  • josh
  • florida
  • argument
  • job loss
  • fired
Q5

Does Abby end up with Ty or Josh?

Abby ends up with Josh. After breaking up with Ty and reconciling with Josh on Christmas Day, they reunite. Josh reveals he purchased a photography studio for both of them, and they share a kiss in the snow as Abby finally acknowledges her long-held feelings for him.

Foreshadowing: Throughout the film, Josh's secret feelings for Abby create tension, and Abby later admits he has always been the one for her.

  • josh
  • ty walker
  • love triangle
  • relationship ending
Q6

What is the snowflake reveal on Christmas Day?

When Josh asks Abby about the calendar's Christmas Day reveal, she tells him it was a snowflake. Just as she says this, real snow begins to fall, and they share their first kiss, symbolizing their romantic reunion.

  • snowflake
  • christmas day
  • kiss
  • snow
Q7

How does Abby's photography career change by the end of the movie?

By the end, Abby's photography career transforms completely. Her sister showcases her work at a school auction, earning recognition from their parents and the mayor. Most importantly, Josh buys her a photography studio as a Christmas gift, and one year later they run it together professionally.

  • photography
  • career
  • studio
  • josh
  • success
Q8

Why does Ty dismiss Abby's beliefs about the calendar?

Ty dismisses Abby's beliefs about the calendar because he is a practical, skeptical person who doesn't believe in magic or fate. When Abby tries to share the magical experiences she's had with the calendar, Ty treats them as nonsense, which fundamentally conflicts with Abby's worldview and leads to their breakup.

  • ty walker
  • skepticism
  • magic
  • beliefs
  • conflict
Q9

How does the Advent calendar predict events in Abby's life?

The Advent calendar reveals a different item each day in December, and each item directly corresponds to something that happens or someone Abby will encounter. The boots on December 1 predict Josh's return with boots, the tree predicts meeting Ty, and the nutcracker predicts the connection through Ty's daughter.

Foreshadowing: The calendar's first prediction comes true on the very same day, immediately establishing its predictive nature.

  • advent calendar
  • predictions
  • events
  • prophecy
  • december
Q10

What does Josh buy Abby for Christmas?

Josh buys Abby a photography studio as her Christmas gift. He reveals this surprise when they reunite on Christmas Day, having purchased it specifically for both of them to run together. Abby reciprocates with a new camera for Josh.

  • christmas gift
  • photography studio
  • josh
  • camera

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Holiday Calendar, by Mood & Story

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

Gentle Magical Romance Movies like The Holiday Calendar

Stories where a sprinkle of magic gently nudges characters toward love and happiness. Find more movies like The Holiday Calendar where a touch of whimsical magic brings love and happiness. These similar romantic dramas and fantasies feature cozy vibes, light emotional weight, and charming supernatural elements that guide the characters toward a joyful ending.

  • magical
  • whimsical
  • romantic
  • cozy
  • heartwarming
  • hopeful
  • Tone: whimsical, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically revolves around a protagonist feeling stuck in their life, who encounters a magical element—like a prophetic object or a benevolent force. This magic provides gentle guidance, often predicting or influencing romantic encounters, leading to a linear journey of self-discovery that culminates in a happy, fulfilling resolution with minimal conflict.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together because they share a core premise of gentle magic impacting everyday life, resulting in a consistently whimsical tone, low intensity, and a heartwarming, uplifting viewing experience. The magic serves as a catalyst for positive change rather than a source of major conflict.

Holiday Romance and Self-Discovery Movies like The Holiday Calendar

Festive stories where the holidays become a catalyst for personal change and new love. If you liked The Holiday Calendar, explore similar holiday romance movies about finding love and purpose. These films share a steady pace, light emotional feel, and a focus on festive magic leading to happy endings, perfect for viewers seeking uplifting Christmas stories.

  • festive
  • romantic
  • heartwarming
  • cozy
  • hopeful
  • uplifting
  • Tone: hopeful, heartwarming
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The story follows a protagonist, frequently experiencing career dissatisfaction or a personal rut, whose life is interrupted by the holiday season. Through festive traditions, chance encounters, or a bit of seasonal magic, they embark on a journey of self-reflection, often involving a romantic choice, that leads them to a more authentic and joyful life by the end of the holidays.

Why they belong together: These movies are linked by their shared holiday backdrop which directly influences the narrative arc. They feature a predictable, comforting structure, a focus on romance and personal growth, and a uniformly hopeful, cheerful tone that makes them perfect for seasonal viewing.

If you liked this

Movies Like The Holiday Calendar

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

Browse all movie summaries

Categories

Movie Lists Featuring The Holiday Calendar

The Holiday Calendar appears in these hand-built movie categories. Each one groups movies by a specific mood, theme or story type, with their plot summaries and endings explained.

View all movie categories

Every angle

The Holiday Calendar (2018) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Holiday Calendar 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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