How to choose entertainment for Christmas party

When it comes to planning a memorable festive celebration, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is about entertainment for your Christmas party. The right entertainment acts lifts spirits, creates laughs, and leaves your guests talking long after the tree has been packed away. But how do you pick the best option? With a little thought, some clever planning, and a sprinkle of magic (literally, in this case), you can choose Christmas party entertainment that makes your party shine and fills your room with holiday spirit. 

Consider your event’s basics

Before you start scrolling through performer portfolios or watching YouTube previews of live performances and bands, it’s vital to nail down the fundamentals for your Christmas party. Three things in particular will frame all your decisions: budget, theme, and audience.

1. Budget

Your budget is your guiding compass. It will determine whether you go for:

• A solo performer, such as a magician or acoustic singer
• A DJ who can spin through all your favourite festive tunes
• A full band, possibly including lighting and sound equipment
• More elaborate shows with multiple performers or special effects to make the night truly amazing

2. Theme

A strong theme gives your event coherence and makes it easier to choose entertainment that fits the mood of your Christmas party.

• Going for a Winter Wonderland? Think of a Christmas magician, ice-themed decor, and soft lighting.
• Fancy a 1920s Gatsby evening? You’ll want jazz trios, perhaps swing music, maybe even dancers in period costume
• Want something cosy and traditional? A folk or acoustic set, classic Christmas repertoires.

Your theme helps you decide not just WHAT entertainment to choose for your Christmas party, but HOW it’s presented – costuming, set design, even how performers interact with guests and and mix things up for a lively office or team event.

3. Audience

Think about who will be attending your Christmas party.

• Age range: Will there be children? Older guests? Young professionals?
• Interests: Does your audience prefer dancing? Interactive experiences? Elegant background music?
• Company culture: Is the party formal, relaxed, corporate, family‐friendly?
  

You want entertainment that engages everyone. A professional magician like Chris Whitelock can hit a sweet spot: wonder for children, sophisticated sleight of hand that fascinates adults, conversation starters for everyone and overall festive spirit!

Explore Christmas party entertainment ideas

Now for the fun part: exploring what options are out there. Here are several routes you could follow, with suggestions to consider and how magic fits beautifully into the mix.

Music & live entertainment

• Live band or DJ: If you’re after high energy, a band can keep the dance floor packed, DJs offer flexibility with music styles and pacing.
• Carol singers, jazz trios, acoustic duos: These are great for more elegant or relaxed settings – lunches, evening receptions, sit‐down dinners.
  

Interactive entertainment options

• Photo booths: Always popular. Props, festive backdrops, instant prints or digital versions for social media are fun and memorable.
• DIY workshops: Let people make their own ornaments, festive drinks, decorate gingerbread, or design cards.
• Holiday-themed games or competitions: Trivia about Christmas songs or year‐in‐review, ugly sweater contests, scavenger hunts inside the venue.
  

Performers

This is where magic really comes into its own.

• Magician: Magic adds mystery and awe and can be woven into your event’s theme. A strolling magician mingling with guests, or a brilliant after dinner show – both options deliver excitement and make for a fun Christmas party. It’s surprising, delightful and a conversation starter.
  
• Comedian: A comedian tailored to your audience can bring laughter, poke fun at the year that’s passed, deliver festive cheer.
  

Select the right act

After gathering Christmas party entertainment ideas, it’s time to whittle them down to the performer who’ll make your party one to remember.

1. Check reviews and references

• Ask for recent reviews specifically from other Christmas parties or events in winter.
• See photographs or videos of past performances. Pay attention to how entertainers deal with festive atmospheres (are they comfortable with Christmas festivities? Do they adapt?).
• Word‐of‐mouth recommendations are gold. If someone you trust can attest to a magic act being both professional and festive, that’s a big tick.
  

2. Review setlists

• For bands or DJs: make sure their setlists include Christmas songs if you want that holiday feel and lively atmosphere. If guests expect dancing, ensure there’s a mix.
• For magicians: ask for sample routines or performances: do they include Christmas illusions or tricks? Are these short, interactive pieces that keep the momentum and festive fun?

3. Assess professionalism

• Ensure the entertainer has insurance, proper equipment, and backup gear if needed.
• Confirm they know the venue constraints (space, sound levels, roofing height for aerial acts, etc.).
• Check their experience with Christmas celebrations or a corporate Christmas party – festive lighting, dealing with seasonal decorations, etc.

Plan the logistics of your Christmas Event

Even the best entertainment can be undermined by logistical slip‐ups. Here’s how to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Create a schedule

• Think about when the entertainment will have the most impact: drinks reception? After the meal? As a finale? For example: a strolling magician during the drinks, a live band kicking off once dinner is cleared, maybe comedy or magic after dessert.
• Leave buffer times for set‐up, sound checks, possible delays.
  

Communicate with the venue

• Talk to the venue about power supplies, stage dimensions, lighting, mic availability.
• Check whether there are any curfews or noise restrictions, especially in hotels or rented halls.
• Ask if the venue has any preferred suppliers (or restrictions) for entertainment.
  

Why magic is an excellent choice

Magic brings a wonderful sense of surprise and delight to any event, sparking laughter, gasps and lively conversation as guests’ natural curiosity takes over. Its versatility means it can be tailored to almost any setting, from close-up strolling magic that mingles with guests during a drinks reception, to table magic woven into dinner service, or a stage show that rounds off the evening in style. 

Chris Whitelock’s magic also blends beautifully with Christmas themes such as enchanted winter forests, elves and illusions, or Santa’s workshop. With thoughtful planning, our performances become both classy and fun, unique yet perfectly appropriate, leaving guests with the lasting feeling that they’ve witnessed something truly special.

Make your festive fun extra magical 

Choosing Christmas party entertainment isn’t just about booking a band or hiring someone to tell jokes – it’s about crafting an unforgettable experience. Chris will work closely with you to ensure everything from logistics to the performance is tailored to your needs so you can end the year with a bang.

Fill out the form to secure your Christmas entertainment now!