1. Kabbalas Shabbos and Friday Night Davening
On Shabbos Chol HaMoed Sukkos, the order of Kabbalas Shabbos—welcoming Shabbos—differs from a regular week. Instead of beginning with Lechu Neranenah, we start with Mizmor L'Dovid. This is the same practice when Shabbos coincides with Yom Tov. Lecha Dodi is still recited, as per Chabad custom, though other communities may have different practices regarding its inclusion. At the end of Lecha Dodi, instead of concluding with b'rinah—with song—we say gam b'simchah uv'tzaholah, reflecting the joy of the festival, even though it is only Chol HaMoed.
Following this, we recite Kegavna, then proceed to Chatzi Kaddish, Barchu, and then the regular Friday night Maariv, including Yaaleh Veyavo for Chol HaMoed.
2. Entering the Sukkah and Kiddush on Friday Night
Upon entering the Sukkah for the meal, we quietly recite the traditional Shabbos songs: Shalom Aleichem, Eishes Chayil, and Mizmor L'Dovid. We also say Askinu for Shabbos. These are said softly so as not to overshadow the Yom Tov aspect with Shabbos customs.
For Kiddush, we begin with Yom Hashishi as it is Shabbos. At the end of Kiddush, we make the blessing Leishev Basukkah, since it is still Sukkos. The tradition is that each person should recite their own Leishev Basukkah after making the blessing on bread (Hamotzi). This applies both at night and during the day; although technically one could fulfill their obligation through another’s blessing, customarily everyone says it themselves.
3. Lulav, Hoshanos, and Other Morning Customs
On Shabbos morning of Chol HaMoed Sukkos, we do not take the Lulav. The full Hallel is recited as on all days of Sukkos. However, there are no Hakafos (circling the bimah) and no recitation of Hoshanos on Shabbos in Chabad custom, unlike some other traditions where Hoshanos may be said.
After Hallel, we continue with Kaddish Tiskabel, Shir Shel Yom, and still recite L'Dovid Hashem Ori until Hoshana Rabbah, followed by Kaddish Yasom.
4. Torah Reading and Haftorah for Shabbos Chol HaMoed Sukkos
Two Sifrei Torah are taken out. In the first Sefer Torah, seven aliyos are read because it is Shabbos; this reading begins from Re'eh Atah Omer. After completing these aliyos, the second Sefer Torah is placed on the bimah for Maftir. The reading in this second Torah corresponds to that specific day’s Korban Musaf for Sukkos. In Chutz La’aretz (outside Eretz Yisrael), two days are combined for weekday readings during Chol HaMoed; on Shabbos, whatever would be read for Revi’i (the fourth aliyah) during a weekday is read as Maftir.
In the concluding blessing after the Haftorah, Sukkos is mentioned, and the blessing ends Mekadesh HaShabbos v'Yisrael v'hazmanim. This differs from Pesach: On Pesach’s Chol HaMoed we do not mention Yom Tov in this context because each day’s reading does not relate specifically to Chol HaMoed; however, on Sukkos every day has a unique Korban Musaf and thus a special status akin to Yom Tov.
5. Musaf and Kiddush Details for Shabbos Day
The Musaf Amidah follows that of Chol HaMoed but includes additions for Shabbos. For Kiddush during daytime meals in the Sukkah, all parts specific to Shabbos—such as Im Tashiv, V'shamru, Askinu, and Mizmor L'Dovid—are recited softly (b'lachash) so as not to overshadow Yom Tov. The main Kiddush blessing (Savri maranan… Borei Pri Hagafen) is said aloud. Since it is not Yom Tov but only Chol HaMoed, there is no special Kiddush text for Yom Tov—only for Shabbos—and again each person makes their own Leishev Basukkah.
6. Mincha, Maariv Motzei Shabbos, and Havdalah Practices
Mincha follows the regular order but includes both references to Shabbos and inserts Yaaleh Veyavo for Chol HaMoed. We do not say Tzidkascha since there is no Tachanun during these days.
At Maariv after Shabbos (Motzei Shabbos), we insert Atah Chonantanu to mark Havdalah between Shabbos and Chol HaMoed. For Havdalah itself (over wine), both besamim (spices) and eish (fire) are used as on any Motzei Shabbos.
These are the primary customs observed on Shabbos Chol HaMoed Sukkos according to Chabad tradition.