Q4 — peak Aug–Nov bookings
Book Christmas Party Bands
Office parties, corporate dinners and hotel party nights all want the same December Fridays and Saturdays. Find a party band or DJ, hear them first and book direct, with a contract every time.
Updated 24 October 2026
Where to Book Christmas Party Bands
A Christmas party band plays the songs the whole room already knows: a party set of pop, soul and Motown, with a Christmas medley near the end. Most office parties book a 4- or 5-piece party band, a DJ, or a band with a DJ between and after the sets. Smaller dinners and drinks receptions often use a jazz trio or a solo singer instead. For the last night of the year, see NYE bands and DJs.
Browse all 51 party bands · Browse all 73 DJs and electronic acts
When to Book
Christmas party season runs Friday, 20 November to Sunday, 20 December 2026. The busiest acts are already booked - post your date and see who is free. Lock the act in before you print anything with the date on it.
| Starts20 Nov In the next few weeks |
| Book byNow Late bookings welcome |
| Typical fee£583+ £583–£1,353 - private parties, full band (GX Index) |
| Acts119 On GigXchange now |
Booking Playbook
Here’s the practical version, not the marketing one. Each card covers one decision: when to book, what format works and the mistakes that cost bookers money.
| When to BookFridays and Saturdays in the first three weeks of December go first, so start looking in late summer or early autumn for those dates. Weeknights, lunches and the days just before Christmas are easier to find later. Once you agree a fee, confirm it in writing straight away so the date is held for you. |
| What Format WorksParty band (4-5 piece): two sets of 45-60 minutes of pop, soul and Motown, the usual choice for a dancefloor. DJ: music all night for less, or between and after a band. Jazz or swing band: dinner and drinks, or a swing set for a black-tie night. Tribute act: one big-name show for a staff party. Solo or duo: drinks receptions and small dinners. |
| Mistakes to Avoid1. Leaving it until November. The busiest acts’ December weekends are the first to go. 2. Not checking the finish time. Many hotels and function rooms stop amplified music at a set time - ask the venue and write it into the contract. 3. Guessing what is included. Agree the sets, a DJ or playlist between sets, the PA and travel in the chat before you book. 4. No load-in time. Shared party nights run to a tight timetable, so agree when the act can set up and soundcheck. 5. A handshake deal. Book through GigXchange and the contract is created for you. |
Pick Your Line-up
What each kind of act is, and which Christmas party it suits. Fees for each line-up are in the live table below, so you can match the size of the act to your budget and your room.
| Party band (4-5 piece)Vocals, guitar, bass, drums and keys, often with a sax - pop, soul and Motown, plus a Christmas medley. Suits: Office parties and party nights with a dancefloor - see party bands. |
| DJOne person with a full PA, playing all night, with Christmas songs on request. Suits: Tighter budgets, smaller rooms, and the time between and after a band’s sets - see DJs. |
| Jazz or swing bandA jazz trio for dinner, or a 5-piece swing band for a Rat Pack or black-tie night. Suits: Corporate dinners and awards nights - see jazz bands. |
| Solo singer or duoA singer with a guitar or backing tracks, or a piano and vocal duo. Suits: Drinks receptions, restaurants and small teams - see solo acts. |
| Tribute actOne famous act’s songs, often in costume. Suits: Staff parties that want a show - see tribute acts. |
Not sure which to pick?
Tell the act the room, the guest numbers and what the music is for - drinks, dinner or dancing - and they will suggest a line-up. Post your date free on GIGXCHANGE and acts of every size can apply.
Christmas Party Bands by Occasion
A set plan for each kind of booking, and what to agree with the act before the day. Use it as the checklist for your first call with the act.
| Office Christmas partyA DJ while people arrive, then a party band for two sets and the DJ to finish. Agree: The venue’s finish time, who supplies the PA, and the Christmas songs for the last set. |
| Corporate Christmas dinnerBackground music through drinks and dinner - a jazz trio or a duo - then a band for the dancing. Agree: Breaks around the speeches, a meal for the act and the dress code. |
| Hotel party nightSeveral company parties in one room, usually a band and a DJ booked by the hotel for the whole night. Agree: Set times across the evening, the stage area and who runs the PA. |
| Christmas party at homeA solo singer, a duo or a DJ - a full band needs space and power. Agree: Room for the kit, a power socket near the performance area, and a finish time that suits the neighbours. |
| Christmas market or carol eventSingers, choirs and acoustic acts in short sets through the afternoon or evening. Agree: Cover from the weather, power, and how long each set runs. |
Put it in writing
Whatever the occasion, agree the times, the sets and the fee in the chat - every booking on GIGXCHANGE comes with a contract you both sign.
How the Night Runs
A typical office Christmas party with a band and a DJ. Move the times to suit your venue, then agree them with the act. Agree each part with the act in writing before the day.
| 18:30 · Arrivals and drinksA DJ or a duo at background volume while people arrive and find their table. |
| 19:30 · DinnerQuiet music between courses, or none at all. Speeches go before dessert, so the band never has to wait them out. |
| 21:00 · First band set45 to 60 minutes of songs everyone knows, to get the room on its feet. |
| 22:00 · The breakThe DJ keeps the floor going while the band rests and eats. |
| 22:30 · Second band setThe biggest songs of the night, with the Christmas medley to finish. |
| 23:30 · Last songsThe DJ plays out to the venue’s finish time. In England and Wales, live or recorded music after 11pm needs the venue’s licence to allow it. |
| 00:00 · Home timeLights up. Agree the load-out time with the venue, so the act is not packing down in the dark. |
Make it the act's running order too
Send this timeline to the act in the chat on GIGXCHANGE - set times, breaks and the finish - so it goes into the contract you both sign.
What Do UK Gigs Actually Pay?
Real UK fee ranges from 4,629 recorded fees in the GX Index
| Pub / barFull band · Solo £162–£330 · Duo £250–£500 | £275–£1,003 |
| WeddingFull band · Solo £271–£500 · Duo £463–£810 | £812–£2,206 |
| CorporateFull band · Solo £278–£469 · Duo £446–£1,275 | £669–£1,708 |
| Private partyFull band · Solo £250–£542 · Duo £250–£500 | £583–£1,353 |
| Festival (30–45 min)Full band · Solo TBC · Duo TBC | £200–£1,783 |
Setlist & Repertoire Suggestions
What audiences actually want to hear, not what looks good on a press kit. Send the act the moments you need covered and let them build the set around them.
Christmas classics
| All I Want for Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey |
| Last Christmas - Wham! |
| Fairytale of New York - The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl |
| Driving Home for Christmas - Chris Rea |
| Step Into Christmas - Elton John |
| Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney |
| Merry Christmas Everyone - Shakin’ Stevens |
Party-set favourites
| Mr Brightside - The Killers |
| Don’t Stop Me Now - Queen |
| I Wanna Dance with Somebody - Whitney Houston |
| Valerie - Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson |
| Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars |
| September - Earth, Wind and Fire |
Swing and dinner sets
| Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Frank Sinatra |
| The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole |
| Let It Snow - Dean Martin |
| It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams |
Requests, first dances and setlists
Most acts will learn a request or two if you ask early - a first dance, a family favourite or a walk-on song. Ask in the chat on GIGXCHANGE before you book, so the act confirms it in writing, and listen to the tracks and setlists many acts publish on their profile first.
Venues & Spaces That Book This Season
Real examples of UK venues, hotels, and event spaces that programme this kind of booking, so you can see what a room your size usually puts on and when.
Hotels and function rooms
| Hotel ballrooms - corporate dinners and shared party nights (see live music for hotels) |
| Function rooms and conference venues - office parties from 50 to 500 guests |
Pubs, bars and clubs
| Pubs and bars - smaller office parties, often in a back room (see live music for pubs) |
| Clubs and late bars - party nights that run late with a DJ (see live music for clubs) |
Private and outdoor
| Restaurants with a private room - dinners with a solo act or a duo |
| Christmas markets and fairs - singers, choirs and acoustic acts in short sets |
Booking for one of these rooms?
Every room is different. Tell the act the venue, the room size, the power and the load-in time, and agree the finish - then put it all in the contract you both sign on GIGXCHANGE.
How to Book on GIGXCHANGE
Three steps, about five minutes from signup to your first booking: post the date and budget, compare the acts who reply or invite one you like, then confirm with a contract and a held deposit.
| 01 | FindFind acts or post your gigBrowse acts by sound, line-up and area, or post your date free - date, venue, genre, budget and set length - and acts apply. The listing is live immediately, visible to every artist in the GigXchange network. |
| 02 | ShortlistReview applicationsArtists apply with profile, tracks, reviews and availability all visible. Start a direct chat with shortlisted acts to confirm details before committing. |
| 03 | BookingBook and pay securelyOnce the fee's signed off, a digital contract is auto-generated for both parties. Funds are held securely via Stripe until the gig is complete. |
Organising this as a private event? GigXchange for organisers covers contracts, protected payment and the licence answer. Planning a Christmas party? See live music for a Christmas party.
12 — Questions8 answersFrequently asked questions
Browse ActsUK-wide
Find the right act for Christmas party bands. Browse, compare and book acts for Christmas party bands.
Filter by genre, budget, location and availability
Compare styles, set lengths and fees
Message and book direct — no middlemen
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| Browse acts | |
| Find performers | |
| Find out more | |
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Costs & RatesLive
What Christmas party bands cost in 2026. Realistic 2026 fees before you book.
Entry, mid and premium tier pricing
Live medians on the GigXchange Index
What drives peak-date premiums
Free to cite, updated nightly
| What it costs | |
| GX Rate Index | |
| Submit your rate | |
| Find out more | |
| Post a gig |
The Booking PlaybookFree
When to book, what works, what to avoid. The practical version — timing, formats and mistakes to avoid.
When to book (and when prices spike)
What lineup and format works
Setlist and repertoire suggestions
Mistakes that cost real money
| Overview | |
| When it is | |
| Costs & timing | |
| FAQs | |
| Find out more | |
| Post a gig |
All Booking GuidesFree
Seasonal, city and role guides — all free. Every GigXchange booking guide in one place.
Seasonal booking guides like this one
Find a band, city by city
How to book live music guides
Artist-side guides — see both sides
| All booking guides | |
| UK gig rates | |
| Find out more | |
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Live Music by CityUK
Find acts and venues near your event. Every UK scene, city by city.
City-by-city booking guides
Local venues and open mics
Local rate benchmarks
Find performers near your event
| All UK cities | |
| Find performers | |
| Find out more | |
| Join free |
More booking guides and resources: what acts are paid across the UK, how to book by city or performer type, and the seasonal guides for the dates that sell out first.
| All Booking GuidesBrowse Find a Band, How to Get Gigs, and Seasonal Booking Guides. | |
| UK Rate BenchmarkSee what UK bands actually charge by city, gig type, and band size. | |
| Browse the DirectoryFilter by genre, budget, location and availability. |
| Hiring a wedding band in London | |
| Function band hire in Manchester | |
| How much do UK gigs pay? |
Share what you charged or paid — anonymous, under a minute. 3 rates unlocks 30 days of UK fee trends.
| Add your rate |
| Browse UK performers | |
| Live music by city | |
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| Live music for pubs | |
| Live music for hotels | |
| Live music for care homes | |
| Live music for clubs | |
| Live music for holiday parks | |
| Live music for boats |
Ready to Book your Christmas band?
Post a gig for free, no card on file. Membership is free, and we are keeping it free permanently for the first 250 sign-ups.
Book Christmas Party Bands
Office parties, corporate dinners and hotel party nights all want the same December Fridays and Saturdays. Find a party band or DJ, hear them first and book direct, with a contract every time.
Last updated: 24 October 2026
Where to Book Christmas Party Bands
GIGXCHANGE is where you book Christmas party bands direct in the UK. 51 party bands and 73 DJs and electronic acts are on the platform. Listen to each act on their profile, message them before you commit, and every booking comes with a contract you both sign. GigXchange takes 0% of the artist's booking fee, and the booking fee is 5% on top only when you pay through GigXchange – 0% when you settle privately.
A Christmas party band plays the songs the whole room already knows: a party set of pop, soul and Motown, with a Christmas medley near the end. Most office parties book a 4- or 5-piece party band, a DJ, or a band with a DJ between and after the sets. Smaller dinners and drinks receptions often use a jazz trio or a solo singer instead. For the last night of the year, see NYE bands and DJs.
When to Book
Christmas party season runs Friday, 20 November to Sunday, 20 December 2026. The busiest acts are already booked - post your date and see who is free. Lock the act in before you print anything with the date on it.
Meet the Acts
Real member profiles you can listen to, message and book direct for Christmas party bands. Each card shows the act's line-up, where they are based and how to start a conversation.
Browse all 51 party bands →Browse all 73 DJs and electronic acts →
Pick Your Line-up
What each kind of act is, and which Christmas party it suits. Fees for each line-up are in the live table below, so you can match the size of the act to your budget and your room.
- Party band (4-5 piece)Vocals, guitar, bass, drums and keys, often with a sax - pop, soul and Motown, plus a Christmas medley.Suits: Office parties and party nights with a dancefloor - see party bands.
- DJOne person with a full PA, playing all night, with Christmas songs on request.Suits: Tighter budgets, smaller rooms, and the time between and after a band’s sets - see DJs.
- Jazz or swing bandA jazz trio for dinner, or a 5-piece swing band for a Rat Pack or black-tie night.Suits: Corporate dinners and awards nights - see jazz bands.
- Solo singer or duoA singer with a guitar or backing tracks, or a piano and vocal duo.Suits: Drinks receptions, restaurants and small teams - see solo acts.
- Tribute actOne famous act’s songs, often in costume.Suits: Staff parties that want a show - see tribute acts.
Not sure which to pick?
Tell the act the room, the guest numbers and what the music is for - drinks, dinner or dancing - and they will suggest a line-up. Post your date free on GIGXCHANGE and acts of every size can apply.
Christmas Party Bands by Occasion
A set plan for each kind of booking, and what to agree with the act before the day. Use it as the checklist for your first call with the act.
- Office Christmas partyA DJ while people arrive, then a party band for two sets and the DJ to finish.Agree: The venue’s finish time, who supplies the PA, and the Christmas songs for the last set.
- Corporate Christmas dinnerBackground music through drinks and dinner - a jazz trio or a duo - then a band for the dancing.Agree: Breaks around the speeches, a meal for the act and the dress code.
- Hotel party nightSeveral company parties in one room, usually a band and a DJ booked by the hotel for the whole night.Agree: Set times across the evening, the stage area and who runs the PA.
- Christmas party at homeA solo singer, a duo or a DJ - a full band needs space and power.Agree: Room for the kit, a power socket near the performance area, and a finish time that suits the neighbours.
- Christmas market or carol eventSingers, choirs and acoustic acts in short sets through the afternoon or evening.Agree: Cover from the weather, power, and how long each set runs.
Put it in writing
Whatever the occasion, agree the times, the sets and the fee in the chat - every booking on GIGXCHANGE comes with a contract you both sign.
How the Night Runs
A typical office Christmas party with a band and a DJ. Move the times to suit your venue, then agree them with the act. Agree each part with the act in writing before the day.
- 18:30 · Arrivals and drinksA DJ or a duo at background volume while people arrive and find their table.
- 19:30 · DinnerQuiet music between courses, or none at all. Speeches go before dessert, so the band never has to wait them out.
- 21:00 · First band set45 to 60 minutes of songs everyone knows, to get the room on its feet.
- 22:00 · The breakThe DJ keeps the floor going while the band rests and eats.
- 22:30 · Second band setThe biggest songs of the night, with the Christmas medley to finish.
- 23:30 · Last songsThe DJ plays out to the venue’s finish time. In England and Wales, live or recorded music after 11pm needs the venue’s licence to allow it.
- 00:00 · Home timeLights up. Agree the load-out time with the venue, so the act is not packing down in the dark.
Make it the act's running order too
Send this timeline to the act in the chat on GIGXCHANGE - set times, breaks and the finish - so it goes into the contract you both sign.
Booking Playbook
Here’s the practical version, not the marketing one. Each card covers one decision: when to book, what format works and the mistakes that cost bookers money.
When to Book
Fridays and Saturdays in the first three weeks of December go first, so start looking in late summer or early autumn for those dates. Weeknights, lunches and the days just before Christmas are easier to find later. Once you agree a fee, confirm it in writing straight away so the date is held for you.
What Format Works
Party band (4-5 piece): two sets of 45-60 minutes of pop, soul and Motown, the usual choice for a dancefloor. DJ: music all night for less, or between and after a band. Jazz or swing band: dinner and drinks, or a swing set for a black-tie night. Tribute act: one big-name show for a staff party. Solo or duo: drinks receptions and small dinners.
Mistakes to Avoid
1. Leaving it until November. The busiest acts’ December weekends are the first to go. 2. Not checking the finish time. Many hotels and function rooms stop amplified music at a set time - ask the venue and write it into the contract. 3. Guessing what is included. Agree the sets, a DJ or playlist between sets, the PA and travel in the chat before you book. 4. No load-in time. Shared party nights run to a tight timetable, so agree when the act can set up and soundcheck. 5. A handshake deal. Book through GigXchange and the contract is created for you.
What Do UK Gigs Actually Pay?
Real UK fee ranges from 4,629 recorded fees in the GX Index
| Solo | Duo | Full Band | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pub / bar | £162–£330 | £250–£500 | £275–£1,003 |
| Wedding | £271–£500 | £463–£810 | £812–£2,206 |
| Corporate | £278–£469 | £446–£1,275 | £669–£1,708 |
| Private party | £250–£542 | £250–£500 | £583–£1,353 |
| Festival (30–45 min) | TBC | TBC | £200–£1,783 |
Setlist & Repertoire Suggestions
What audiences actually want to hear, not what looks good on a press kit. Send the act the moments you need covered and let them build the set around them.
Christmas classics
- All I Want for Christmas Is YouMariah Carey
- Last ChristmasWham!
- Fairytale of New YorkThe Pogues and Kirsty MacColl
- Driving Home for ChristmasChris Rea
- Step Into ChristmasElton John
- Wonderful ChristmastimePaul McCartney
- Merry Christmas EveryoneShakin’ Stevens
Party-set favourites
- Mr BrightsideThe Killers
- Don’t Stop Me NowQueen
- I Wanna Dance with SomebodyWhitney Houston
- ValerieAmy Winehouse and Mark Ronson
- Uptown FunkMark Ronson and Bruno Mars
- SeptemberEarth, Wind and Fire
Swing and dinner sets
- Have Yourself a Merry Little ChristmasFrank Sinatra
- The Christmas SongNat King Cole
- Let It SnowDean Martin
- It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the YearAndy Williams
Requests, first dances and setlists
Most acts will learn a request or two if you ask early - a first dance, a family favourite or a walk-on song. Ask in the chat on GIGXCHANGE before you book, so the act confirms it in writing, and listen to the tracks and setlists many acts publish on their profile first.
Venues & Spaces That Book This Season
Real examples of UK venues, hotels, and event spaces that programme this kind of booking, so you can see what a room your size usually puts on and when.
Hotels and function rooms
- Hotel ballroomscorporate dinners and shared party nights (see live music for hotels)
- Function rooms and conference venuesoffice parties from 50 to 500 guests
Pubs, bars and clubs
- Pubs and barssmaller office parties, often in a back room (see live music for pubs)
- Clubs and late barsparty nights that run late with a DJ (see live music for clubs)
Private and outdoor
- Restaurants with a private roomdinners with a solo act or a duo
- Christmas markets and fairssingers, choirs and acoustic acts in short sets
Booking for one of these rooms?
Every room is different. Tell the act the venue, the room size, the power and the load-in time, and agree the finish - then put it all in the contract you both sign on GIGXCHANGE.
How to Book on GIGXCHANGE
Three steps, about five minutes from signup to your first booking: post the date and budget, compare the acts who reply or invite one you like, then confirm with a contract and a held deposit.
Find acts or post your gig
Browse acts by sound, line-up and area, or post your date free - date, venue, genre, budget and set length - and acts apply. The listing is live immediately, visible to every artist in the GigXchange network.
Review applications
Artists apply with profile, tracks, reviews and availability all visible. Start a direct chat with shortlisted acts to confirm details before committing.
Book and pay securely
Once the fee's signed off, a digital contract is auto-generated for both parties. Funds are held securely via Stripe until the gig is complete.
Organising this as a private event? GigXchange for organisers covers contracts, protected payment and the licence answer. Planning a Christmas party? See live music for a Christmas party.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Book your Christmas band?
Post a gig for free, no card on file. Membership is free, and we are keeping it free permanently for the first 250 sign-ups. Acts reply in the app, and you choose who to book.