> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.uplifter.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How do I organize programs into seasons and categories?

> Group programs with seasons and categories so they're easy to browse, filter, and roll over.

<Note>
  **Must know**

  * **Categories** live in **Settings → Registration Setup → Categories** and are always available. **Seasons** live in **Settings → Registration Setup → Seasons** and are available on plans that include **Seasons** — if **Create Season** is greyed out, ask your Uplifter contact.
  * You pick a program's **category and season while building the program**, on its first steps. A **season** can also have an existing program attached from the season's own settings page (its **Programs** tab); categories have no such linking page.
  * A **recurring** season renews into the next year and carries each program's **category forward**, so category-scoped holiday closures keep applying to the renewed programs.
</Note>

Categories and seasons are two independent ways to group programs. A **category** is a lasting bucket ("Recreational", "Team", "Camps") for organizing and filtering; a **season** is a dated window ("Spring 2026") programs belong to.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create categories">
    Go to **Settings → Registration Setup → Categories** and click **Add Category**. Give it a **Name** and optional description, then save. Drag the cards to set the order families see. Categories also group your events and competitions on the marketing site.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create seasons">
    Go to **Settings → Registration Setup → Seasons** and click **Create Season**. Set a **Name**, **Start Date**, **End Date**, and **Status** (Draft or Active). Turn on **Recurring Season** to have it renew automatically, and set the **Renewal Lead Days** to control how far ahead the next season is generated.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Assign them to a program">
    In the program builder, pick the **Season** (on the first step, when seasons exist) and the **Category** on the General step. A program can sit in one season and one category.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Once assigned, categories power the filters on your dashboard calendar and your public program listings, and they let a holiday closure target just one group of programs. When a recurring season rolls over, each program's category rides along so those scoped closures keep working.

**Related:** [How do I create a new program?](/club/programs-classes/create-a-program) · [How do I schedule holiday closures?](/club/programs-classes/schedule-holiday-closures) · [How do I view and filter the class calendar?](/club/programs-classes/view-and-filter-calendar)