Planning guide
Christmas party entertainment: what to book and what it costs
Office party, family gathering or a big venue night? Here are the acts UK bookers choose most at Christmas, rough guide prices, and when to lock everything in.
On this page
Office Christmas parties
The biggest night in the corporate calendar. Mixed ages, some colleagues who dance and some who won't, so give the room more than one thing to do.
Party DJ with lighting
The backbone of most office parties. Ask for a requests policy in writing so the playlist stays workplace-safe, and make sure they can read a room that ranges from 22 to 60.
Browse party dj with lightingsLive band or tribute act
A Motown, disco or 90s tribute keeps every generation happy. Check the venue's sound limiter before booking anything loud.
Browse live band or tribute actsPhoto booth or magic mirror
The queue forms the moment it opens. Branded prints with the company logo double as a keepsake.
Browse photo booth or magic mirrorsClose-up magician at tables
Works the tables between courses, a reliable fix for the long gap between mains and dessert.
Browse close-up magician at tablessCasino tables
Fun-money roulette and blackjack with croupiers. Ideal when half the room doesn't dance.
Browse casino tablessCaricaturist
Branded drawings of colleagues get shared on LinkedIn the next morning, free reach for the company hashtag.
Browse caricaturistsFestive family gatherings
House parties and family get-togethers need entertainment that works in smaller spaces and keeps the kids happy until bedtime.
Acoustic duo or singer
Background carols and crowd-pleasers during the meal, then something livelier as the evening goes on.
Browse acoustic duo or singersChristmas choir or carol singers
A 30-minute surprise carol set lands the festive magic, brilliant while everyone arrives or over drinks.
Browse christmas choir or carol singerssClose-up magician
Works a living room as well as a banquet hall. Book for the hour when everyone is sat down.
Browse close-up magiciansDJ with a family-friendly playlist
A short set after the crackers keeps things moving without taking over the whole evening.
Browse dj with a family-friendly playlistsParty nights at venues and restaurants
If you're booking a shared or exclusive venue night, the entertainment is what makes your night different from the table next door.
DJ with a set-list brief
Venues often supply a resident DJ, but bringing your own lets you control the vibe. Confirm power, space and access with the venue first.
Browse dj with a set-list briefsSaxophonist or percussionist over the DJ
A live sax over house tracks is the easiest way to make a venue night feel like an event.
Browse saxophonist or percussionist over the djsTribute act or show band
Two 45-minute sets of known hits gets even the quietest tables up. Check the venue's stage size and load-in.
Browse tribute act or show bandsSpecial effects (CO2, sparklers, confetti)
An indoor sparkler moment for the final song of the night. Check the venue allows indoor effects before booking.
Browse special effects (co2, sparklers, confetti)sRough guide prices
Ballpark UK estimates only, most Christmas party entertainment falls somewhere between £200 and £5,000 depending on the act, date and location. Expect the higher end in London, on Fridays and Saturdays in December. Every act on Veya sets their own fee, so treat these as a starting point for your budget, not a quote.
| Act | Rough estimate | Typical length |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas choir or carol singers | £200 to £600 | 45 to 60 min |
| Close-up magician | £300 to £600 | 1 to 2 hours |
| Caricaturist | £300 to £700 | 2 to 3 hours |
| Photo booth or magic mirror | £350 to £700 | 3 to 4 hours |
| Party DJ with lighting | £400 to £900 | 4 to 5 hours |
| Casino tables (fun money) | £500 to £1,200 | 3 to 4 hours |
| Function band (4 to 6 piece) | £1,200 to £3,000 | 2 × 60 min sets |
| Tribute act or show band | £1,500 to £5,000 | 2 × 45 min sets |
When to book
6 to 9 months before
December Fridays sell out first, the best bands, DJs and tribute acts are booked by early autumn. If your party is on a Friday in December, book before the summer.
8 weeks before
Confirm the venue's sound limiter, curfew and access times. Lock the running order: arrival, food, entertainment slots, finish.
2 weeks before
Send acts parking, loading and set-up details. Brief the DJ or band on your requests policy and anything to avoid.
On the day
Give every act a named contact with a phone number, and allow 60 to 90 minutes of set-up before guests arrive.
Planning a Christmas party?
Browse DJs, bands, magicians, photo booths and more, vetted acts are badged and shown first, message them directly and confirm everything with a simple contract, deposits and balances handled securely through Veya.
