Planning a holiday party in Atlanta is exciting—until you start thinking about how to keep everyone entertained for the entire evening. The food, bar, and décor matter, but the entertainment is what transforms a gathering into an experience. It is the music, the laughter, the dancing, and the “wow” moments guests talk about long after the night is over.
Blue Sky Atlanta Music & Entertainment has helped companies, families, and event planners elevate their holiday events for decades, making it one of Atlanta’s most trusted sources for live entertainment. Below is a comprehensive guide to the best Christmas party entertainment ideas—perfect for corporate events, private holiday gatherings, and everything in between.
1. Live Party Bands: Turn Your Christmas Party into a Holiday Concert
If your goal is a packed dance floor and high energy, live bands are the gold standard for entertainment. A great party band brings the kind of excitement and stage presence guests can feel from the moment the music starts.
What a party band delivers:
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Modern arrangements of holiday classics
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Motown, 80s, 90s, Top 40, funk, and rock hits
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Crowd interaction and on-the-fly song adjustments
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Professional pacing for announcements and special moments
Band size recommendations:
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7–12 Piece Dance Band: Perfect for large corporate parties or ballroom events
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4–6 Piece Party Band: Great for mid-sized gatherings needing both ambiance and dance music
If you want a full evening experience, consider beginning with softer arrangements—think jazzy or soulful carols—and building into a high-energy dance party as the night progresses.
2. Jazz Trios & Pianists: Classy Holiday Ambiance for Dinner & Cocktails
Not every Christmas party is about dancing until midnight. For upscale events, client receptions, or more intimate holiday dinners, jazz sets the perfect tone.
Great jazz options include:
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Solo Pianist: Elegant background music for cocktail hours
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Jazz Trio: Piano, bass, and drums or sax for a lively but unobtrusive atmosphere
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Jazz Vocalist Group: Perfect for spaces that want crooner vibes and holiday melodies
Jazz groups deliver timeless seasonal favorites such as “The Christmas Song,” “Winter Wonderland,” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” mixing in classics from Sinatra and contemporary jazz artists.
Starting your event with jazz in your welcome area or foyer creates a warm, festive environment before guests even reach the bar.
3. String Quartets & Classical Ensembles: A Storybook Holiday Welcome
Nothing says “holiday magic” like walking into a room filled with the sound of strings performing Christmas classics.
Where strings work best:
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Guest Arrival: Soft, elegant carols immediately elevate the tone
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Dinner Service: Perfect for creating a calm, welcoming atmosphere
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Special Presentations: Award ceremonies, VIP toasts, or milestone recognitions
Whether they are performing Mozart, Vivaldi, or string arrangements of modern Christmas favorites, classical musicians bring sophistication to any holiday event. Many planners pair strings early in the evening with a DJ or live band later for a seamless progression in energy.
4. DJs & MCs: High-Energy, Dynamic Entertainment for Any Crowd
A professional DJ brings flexibility and versatility, making them ideal for diverse guest lists. A seasoned DJ doesn’t just play music—they manage the flow of the evening.
A DJ/MC can:
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Handle announcements, raffles, and transitions
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Adapt immediately to the dance floor’s energy
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Mix genres to appeal to different age groups
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Feature both holiday classics and modern hits
Consider these popular pairings:
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DJ + Live Music Hybrid: Add a saxophonist, percussionist, or vocalist for a unique performance
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After-Party DJ: Start with live music during dinner and switch to a DJ later for dancing
A DJ is especially valuable when your guest list spans a wide age range, ensuring everyone hears something they love.
5. Casino Parties: A Fun and Engaging Christmas Experience
Casino nights are one of the most interactive holiday entertainment concepts, especially for corporate Christmas parties where guests may not know each other well.
Why casino parties work:
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Instant Engagement: Perfect ice-breakers for guests
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Low-Pressure Fun: Great for those who do not want to dance
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Prize Potential: Allow guests to trade chips for raffle tickets or small prizes
Popular casino setups include blackjack, roulette, poker, and craps—all managed by trained dealers who can teach beginners and entertain seasoned players.
Add holiday flair with custom Christmas-themed chips, Santa hats, festive lighting, or Rat Pack-style music for a retro Vegas Christmas feel.
6. Specialty Acts: Create “Wow” Moments Guests Won’t Stop Talking About
Sometimes the entertainment your guests remember most is the unexpected element—the thing they did not see coming.
Top add-on specialty acts include:
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Strolling Magicians: Close-up magic during cocktails and dinner
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Caricature Artists: A fun, personal take-home gift
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Victorian Carolers: Ideal for traditional or nostalgic Christmas themes
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Santa, Mrs. Claus & Elf Characters: For family-focused or photo-friendly events
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Photo Booths & 360 Cameras: Social-media-ready holiday fun
Specialty acts blend seamlessly around your main entertainment and help fill natural pauses throughout the evening.
7. Holiday Themes: Choose a Vibe, Then Select Entertainment That Fits
A strong holiday theme makes entertainment planning easier and more cohesive.
Top holiday event themes:
Winter Wonderland Gala
Features strings or jazz at the start, followed by a polished party band or DJ for dancing. Add white uplighting and snowflake effects for ambiance.
Retro Christmas or Throwback Holiday Party
Lean into 80s or 90s nostalgia with a band specializing in those decades. Add a retro photo booth and classic holiday remixes.
Casino Christmas in Vegas
Pair casino tables with a DJ spinning Rat Pack, swing, and modern hits. Add showgirl-style costuming and glitzy décor.
Cozy Lodge or Holiday House Party
Live acoustic music, warm lighting, and casual vibes. Later in the evening, introduce a DJ or band for a more upbeat finish.
Choosing entertainment that aligns with your theme ensures the entire evening feels intentional and memorable.
8. Matching Entertainment to Your Guest List, Venue & Budget
Your entertainment should scale with your event. Here's a simple framework.
By Headcount
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Under 75 guests: Soloist, duo, jazz trio, or DJ
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75–200 guests: Party band, DJ, or hybrid setup
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200+ guests: Large band + DJ + specialty acts
By Venue
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Ballrooms: Bands, DJs, casino setups
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Restaurants & Private Rooms: Acoustic acts, jazz, strings
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Offices or Warehouses: DJs or smaller compact bands
By Budget
Start with one “anchor” act such as a band or DJ, then layer in specialty performers (magician, photo booth, caricature artist) if budget allows. Many planners also mix multiple shorter performance blocks instead of paying one act for the entire night.
9. How Blue Sky Atlanta Helps You Build the Perfect Holiday Lineup
Planning entertainment on your own can be overwhelming. Blue Sky Atlanta simplifies the process by providing:
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Curated entertainment recommendations
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Logistics, staging, sound, and timing management
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Smooth transitions between musicians, DJs, and specialty acts
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A single point of contact for contracting and coordination
From the initial consultation to the final encore, Blue Sky Atlanta ensures your Christmas party runs flawlessly.
Ready to Plan Your Holiday Party Entertainment?
Whether you envision a glamorous Winter Wonderland, a lively casino night, a soulful jazz reception, or a high-energy dance party, the right entertainment will define your event’s success.
Here’s your quick checklist to begin planning:
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Confirm your date, venue, and guest count.
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Choose a theme or tone.
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Select your anchor entertainment (band or DJ).
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Add specialty acts to enhance the experience.
From there, Blue Sky Atlanta can help you match your vision with Atlanta’s top musicians and entertainers—creating a Christmas party your guests will never forget.
FAQ: Holiday Entertainment Ideas for Christmas Parties
1. What type of entertainment works best for a company Christmas party?
It depends on the atmosphere you want. Live party bands and DJs are ideal for high-energy events, while jazz trios, pianists, or classical ensembles work well for cocktail receptions and formal dinners. Casino tables, magicians, and photo booths are great additions that engage guests throughout the evening.
2. How far in advance should I book Christmas party entertainment?
Holiday entertainment in Atlanta books quickly—especially for peak dates between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is best to secure your entertainers 8–12 weeks in advance, though large corporate events often book earlier. Last-minute bookings may still be possible, but options will be more limited.
3. Is live music or a DJ better for a holiday event?
Both can be great choices depending on your goals.
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Live bands create an energetic, performance-driven atmosphere ideal for dancing.
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DJs offer versatility and can quickly adapt to different age groups and musical tastes.
Many planners choose a band + DJ hybrid for the best of both worlds.
4. What entertainment options work for guests who don’t want to dance?
Casino games, strolling magicians, caricature artists, and photo booths provide excellent entertainment for non-dancers. These options encourage mingling, conversation, and participation without requiring anyone to be on the dance floor.
5. Can we mix different types of entertainment at the same event?
Absolutely. Many of the best Christmas parties layer entertainment throughout the night—for example:
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Strings or jazz for arrivals
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A party band or DJ for dancing
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A magician or caricature artist during cocktail hour
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A 360-photo booth available all evening
Mixing entertainment ensures there are no dull moments and gives guests more ways to enjoy the event.
6. What size band do I need for my venue or guest count?
Here is a simple guide:
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Under 75 guests: Soloist, duo, trio, or DJ
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75–200 guests: Standard party band (4–6 pieces) or DJ
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200+ guests: Large show band (7–12 pieces) + DJ or specialty performers
Your venue layout also matters—ballrooms accommodate larger bands, while restaurants or private rooms may be better suited for compact ensembles.
7. Can entertainment be customized to match a holiday theme?
Yes. Whether you are planning a Winter Wonderland, Cozy Lodge Christmas, Retro Holiday Party, or Vegas-style Casino Night, entertainment can be tailored to fit your theme. Costuming, music selections, staging, lighting, and props can all reinforce the vibe you want.
8. Do entertainers provide their own sound equipment?
Most professional entertainers (bands, DJs, and musicians) provide their own sound system, microphones, and technical support. Larger events may require additional AV support, which Blue Sky Atlanta can coordinate based on the size and scope of your party.
9. What is the average cost of holiday entertainment in Atlanta?
Pricing varies based on act type, group size, date, and duration. For reference:
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Soloists & duos: typically the most budget-friendly
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Jazz trios, quartets, and smaller bands: moderate pricing
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Large party bands, full casino setups, or specialty acts: higher investment
Booking early often helps secure better rates and availability.
10. How can Blue Sky Atlanta help plan my Christmas party entertainment?
Blue Sky Atlanta assists with:
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Recommending the right talent mix based on your event
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Coordinating timing, logistics, and audio needs
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Managing contracts with multiple entertainers
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Ensuring a smooth, well-structured entertainment flow from start to finish
This saves you time, reduces stress, and guarantees a polished guest experience.