By the time the venue is booked, the menu is chosen and the decorator has sent a mood board, entertainment can feel like an optional extra. It is worth thinking about it the other way round. Nobody leaves a Christmas party raving about the table linen, but they do talk for weeks about the band that packed the dance floor or the magician who made their phone appear inside a sealed envelope. Entertainment is the part guests experience directly, and it does not have to be elaborate to make an impression.
Key takeaways
- Judge suppliers on responsiveness, clarity and evidence of recent work, not just price.
- Be open about your budget. Good suppliers will suggest alternatives rather than inflate the quote.
- Match acts to each stage of the evening instead of booking as much as possible.
How to spot a reliable supplier
If you do not already have an agency or booker you trust, speak to two or three before deciding. The way they handle your first enquiry tells you a lot.
- Do they reply quickly and answer the question you asked?
- Do they listen, or push you towards whatever they happen to have available?
- Can they show photos and video of each act, so you know exactly what you are getting?
- Is their social media active? A page with nothing new for months can be a warning sign.
- What do independent reviews say about reliability on the night?
Tip from our team: The cheapest quote is not always the best value. Low prices can mean tired costumes, poor equipment or an act who cancels when a better offer comes in.
Talking about budget without getting stung
Many organisers keep their budget close to their chest, worried that a supplier will simply quote up to the maximum. A trustworthy supplier will be open about how pricing works and will not play that game.
Sharing a realistic figure usually works in your favour. If your first choice is out of reach, a good booker can suggest something with a similar effect for less. If you are booking more than one act, ask whether performers can travel together. Shared travel can trim the overall cost without changing what guests see.
Plan acts around the guest journey
Instead of asking 'what should we book?', walk through the evening from a guest's point of view. Each stage has different needs, and different acts suit each one. Give your supplier the details: how guests are arriving, whether there will be a queue, what time dinner starts, and whether there is a dance floor.
Arrival
First impressions set the tone. If guests are arriving by coach or on foot, or will be queuing to get in, something visual near the entrance turns waiting time into part of the party. Stilt walkers, living statues and fire performers all work well here. Fire is best saved for outdoor arrivals once it is dark.
Drinks reception
Many guests will not have had a drink yet and may not know each other well, especially at larger company parties. This is where an ice-breaker earns its place. A fortune teller, a clockwork ballerina or a champagne walker serving drinks from a costume gives people something to talk about straight away.
Dinner
At the table, close-up acts that move between groups work best. Magicians, hypnotists, silhouette cutters and caricaturists all keep energy up without making anyone leave their seat. Between courses is the moment for a short feature: a circus act, an illusion show or a tribute performance.
The dance floor
If there will be dancing, a live party band is the classic choice. A strong alternative is a DJ paired with a live musician, such as a saxophonist playing over the tracks. It brings the buzz of live music while keeping the flexibility of a DJ set.
Book the right acts, not the most acts
More is not always better. Three acts placed at the right moments will feel more polished than six competing for attention. Lean on your supplier's experience. They see what works at dozens of Christmas parties every season and can tell you where one well-placed act will do more than several.
Acts and themes in this article
Stilt Walkers
Towering costumed characters that own the room
Living Statues
Still, silent and stunning, until they move
Fire Performers
Fire shows for terraces, gardens and grand finales
Champagne Walkers
Strolling LED champagne tables that serve as they walk
Christmas Parties
Nutcrackers, festive statues and glowing acts for a Christmas party people talk about in January.
Winter Wonderland
Ice queens, frozen statues and glowing performers for an elegant winter event.
Frequently asked questions
When should we book Christmas party entertainment?
Ideally in late summer or early autumn. Friday and Saturday dates in December go first, and popular acts can be fully booked well before the season starts.
Should we tell the supplier our budget?
Yes. A reputable supplier will use it to recommend the best fit for the money, and may suggest alternatives or shared travel to make your preferred line-up work.
What is a good ice-breaker for a company party where staff don't know each other?
Interactive acts that come to the guests work well, such as a fortune teller, a champagne walker or close-up magic. They give people a shared moment and something to talk about.
Start planning your Christmas party
Tell us your date, venue and guest numbers and we will suggest a line-up that covers arrival, dinner and the dance floor.
Written by Tom Hargreaves, Events writer.
