The advice you need to read while you are planning your Christmas and winter events
Right now, you’re probably deep into the planning processes for your corporate Christmas party or winter events and if you are not, you run the risk of leaving everything too late and not getting the event that you want! Hitting the right note takes more than heading to The Range and topping up on their ever-growing array of fairy lights and party décor.
Whether you’re planning a corporate Christmas party, a luxury private celebration, or a brand activation, your choice of entertainment can transform your event from a party into an experience.
At The Entertainment Fixers, we want to make your planning processes as easy as possible for you. We love planning events and choosing entertainment, but we know that it can be a stressful time for event planners and event teams. That’s why we’re drawing on our years of experience as a UK-wide network of top-tier performers to help you understand what you need to think about within your event planning.
We hope this advice is useful for you, and that it plays a small part in making your planning processes easier and more streamlined.
What are the popular winter entertainment ideas in 2025?
Like any other aspect of event planning, event entertainment also has notable trends. You want to choose something right for your guests, but also something which captures imaginations and hits the expectations of what is currently trending.
Using our data analytics of what’s popular, combined with the conversations we have with clients and paying attention to the discussions on social media and Reddit, we predict that this year’s winter entertainment trends will likely include the following suggestions.
Immersive experiences are still as popular as ever.
You can transform your event with branded winter wonderlands and enchanted forests, bring in themed set design and even hire actors and performers to add interactivity to your décor. If you’re still not sure, why not read our blog about creative entertainment ideas that will wow your audience?
Themed performers can really bring your ideas to life.
We’re not talking about Bob from Accounts dressing up as Santa, instead, why not invite an ice queen to sit in a frozen palace, snowmen on stilts, singing elves or speciality acts like aerialists? There are so many winter-themed and holiday-related performances that can be perfect for private events or corporate gatherings.
An ice sculpting show will capture attention!
These are amazing and guaranteed to gain attention on Insta and TikTok! You can turn your décor into your entertainment through live demos where master sculptors can carve bespoke displays out of blocks of ice. It has to be seen to be believed, and what makes it more exciting is that you can even add your branding to the sculpture design!
Luxury Igloo Lounges
If you have ever visited the iconic Ice bar in London before it closed, then you’ll know how much fun it was. But you can bring that fun to your own event thanks to heated pods, kitted out with plush seating and ambient lighting (which you could tailor to your brand colours). These igloo lounges are great to add to your event because they make a perfect VIP area that will look fantastic in photos.
Winter-Themed Workshops
We’re not only about high-end entertainment, but there are also plenty of affordable options available as well. Why not set up a winter workshop where your guests can take part in gingerbread decorating, wreath-making, candle painting, cocktail crafting, or bauble painting? Yes, they are a family-friendly option, but they can also be easily set up in smaller spaces (even your office!) and can be tailored to your budget capabilities.
Check out our Christmas themed acts!
Children’s Christmas Corners
Finally, if you are looking for something specifically for the kids, then you can’t go wrong with storytelling elves, interactive puppet shows, and mini theatrical performances. Offering family-friendly fun for corporate events is just as important as the big boozy galas, because it shows inclusivity and accessibility for all of your staff members.
Why early planning is crucial for your booking
We’ve previously written about the mistakes you should avoid when booking entertainment, and the importance of understanding your contract, so we won’t reiterate those same points. If you haven’t read them, we highly recommend you do!
But we do recommend that you plan carefully before you start searching for entertainment, because without the fundamental decisions in place first, you could end up with the wrong choice.
Look at what you’ve historically done before.
This is your opportunity to think about what went well, what could be improved, and what your frustrations were. You might be able to find an AI tool that allows you to track how much time/money was spent on last year’s corporate Christmas event or winter event, which can help you to identify your budget and allocate priorities. That data will allow you to see how you can become more organised, perhaps by allocating your time more efficiently or by knowing which aspects of your event you can splurge on, and where you can prioritise more affordable alternatives.
Book early, know your theme, and know your audience.
Typically, we would anticipate that the top performers and specialist entertainers will be booked by October at the latest. If you know that there’s something specific or out of the ordinary that you want to feature in your winter event, then you need to book early.
That’s why setting your theme at the start of your planning process is so important. The earlier you decide what theme you are going to focus on, the more time you will have to search for and book the perfect entertainment.
You also need to think carefully about your audience, what their expectations are and their likes/dislikes. In the same way that marketing teams use AI to create detailed customer personas, you could take the same approach. Using the data from your previous guest lists, you’ll be well aware of who your guests are. Simple facts like knowing their job seniority, what other events they’ve previously attended, how they typically behave, how far they’ll have to travel, and other relevant details will paint a distinct picture of what they will be expecting from your event.
Think about your own internal capabilities and potential bottlenecks.
Once you’ve got your audience and delegate data, it’s time to look closer at your own internal capabilities and predict where bottlenecks could occur.
For example, you might be an eCommerce brand and winter, or Christmas events will naturally fall in your busiest time of year. Not only will that mean you have less wiggle room than usual in your typical workload to manage the planning processes, but you might find that your decision-makers take longer to respond to emails or answer your questions which could slow down your planning.
Being aware of these potential internal issues means that you can create contingencies which will streamline the overall planning processes.
Prepare for contingencies and plan your time wisely.
If you’re planning a winter event, you’re probably searching for an indoor venue, but you might be considering a marquee. There’s plenty you can do to create a warm and inviting experience, but don’t forget to think about your contingencies. Would you know what to do in the case of extreme weather, or if you plan a marquee on a hotel’s grounds, but a nearby river has burst its banks? Having backup scenarios agreed up from the outset will almost certainly reduce your stress levels if disaster happens.
Also, look at your timelines to think about when you want your entertainer to perform. Whether it’s before or after dinner, throughout the duration of the event, or to welcome guests as they arrive, knowing your timings might impact a performer’s availability.
Getting the technical details matters, which is where expert help can save time
Booking an entertainer for your winter event or Christmas party isn’t just a matter of confirming availability and pricing. You also need to collaborate with your venue to check that lighting, sound, staging and special effects can be managed. You don’t want your performer to be let down by poor AV at the last minute or discover that your planned act can’t perform because there isn’t the suitable space or height that they need.
This is where an event booking company adds value to the booking rather than booking directly with a performer. Your event planning team (including the booking agency) will work collaboratively together to make sure that all the details, from entertainment logistics and contingency planning to talent coordination, align correctly.
We can make your winter event planning quick and easy
At The Entertainment Fixers, we provide a full end-to-end service which makes your life easy.
We have access to the best performers in the UK.
Our years of experience mean we have exclusive access to some of the best performers in the UK. We are continually amazed by the talent of our entertainers, and we personally vet them all so you can be sure that you’re getting a high-calibre performer, whatever your budget. Of course, we know sometimes that things can crop up, from ill health to injury, which is why our services include contingency planning and standby entertainers, so your event remains on track.
We provide entertainment across the UK.
We work across the UK, providing entertainment support for corporate events in Scotland and private parties on the south coast. Wherever you are, we can find the right entertainer for you, and because our costs will outline any travel implications, you’ll never be surprised by unexpected travel costs.
We do what it takes to make your life easy.
We act as your single point of contact for all entertainment logistics, so you’re not chasing performers, venues or tech teams. Our process includes detailed timelines to keep everything organised and on track. We also help you learn from past events with clear documentation and post-event reviews. And because every planner works differently, we adapt to your workflow, whether that’s spreadsheets, shared docs, or hands-on calls.
If you need an extra pair of hands to plan your event entertainment or you want to ask us for advice on which performer would be best for your event, please get in touch. Whether you have a £500 budget or you’re willing to spend five figures on a luxury bash, we’ll work with you to set realistic expectations and recommend options that maximise the impact of your upcoming winter event.