The festive season will be here before you know it. If you’re planning a corporate do, Christmas party or end‑of‑year celebration, getting ahead of the game is the key to a stress‑free Christmas party.
Booking your Christmas party entertainment well in advance means better choice, smoother planning, and more fun for everyone.
Let’s explore why securing entertainment early, whether DJs, photo booths, or special effects, is so important, especially if you're organising corporate entertainment Essex or arranging christmas party hire through RCT Entertainments.
What Does “Christmas Party Entertainment” Actually Mean?
When we use the term Christmas party entertainment, we’re talking about everything that makes the night memorable: music (live bands, DJs), interactive elements (photo booths, magic mirrors, games), ambient décor and effects (lighting, snow machines), and any performance (walkabout acts, magicians, aerialists). If you’re looking to book entertainment for your Christmas do, whether it's small or large scale, knowing what you want ahead of time helps enormously.
If you’ve visited our Entertainment Services page, you’ll see the range of options we offer. From DJs and music packages to photo booths and effects - securing these early gives you access to everything you need before choices run out.
Why Early Booking Matters: Top Reasons
Here are the main reasons why booking your Christmas party entertainment now will set your event up for success:
1. Venue & Date Availability
Great venues get booked early during the Christmas season. If you leave booking to November or close to December, your preferred venue may no longer be available, or the hire cost may spike. The same goes for top entertainers and DJs. Secure your entertainment via corporate entertainment Essex providers like RCT Entertainments early to lock in date and choice.
2. Better Entertainment Options
Booking early gives you the pick of premium DJs, live bands, photo booths and effects. Want a particular DJ who’s in demand? Or a specific photo booth style (for instance one with themed backdrops or a magic mirror)?
Early booking means you get first pick, not whatever is left. If you wait, you might get stuck with second‑best, or something out of your theme or budget.
3. More Time for Planning & Customisation
Once your entertainment is booked, you have more time to plan around it: set playlist preferences, choose lighting effects, coordinate with décor, plan the flow of the evening (e.g. when the DJ kicks in, when the effects happen). It allows RCT Entertainments to work with you on customising your christmas party hire package so everything fits together - not just last‑minute add-ons.
4. Budget Control & Better Prices
Booking ahead often means you can spread costs, get early‑bird deals, and avoid premium charges that entertainers and suppliers put on last-minute bookings. Suppliers know demand is high in December, so prices generally rise. By agreeing early, you get better budgeting, possibly paying deposits well in advance, avoiding price hikes and surcharges.
5. Stress Reduction
This is huge. Planning large corporate events, festive catering, guest lists, schedules, and decorations is a lot. By booking Christmas party entertainment now, your music, photo booths, special effects, you remove a major chunk of stress. It means closer to the event date you can focus on fine details rather than scrambling for availability, confirming logistics, or dealing with disappointments.
What Type of Entertainment Should You Secure First?
Not all entertainment needs are equal, some have higher demand and longer preparation time. Here’s a suggested priority list when you’re organising your corporate entertainment Essex event or booking christmas party hire through RCT Entertainments.
First and foremost, secure your venue and main music act. Whether you’re booking a DJ or a live band, this is the backbone of your event—and the best talent gets booked up quickly, especially in the run-up to December.
Next, turn your attention to themed effects. Lighting, audio-visual equipment, snow machines and projection setups often require detailed planning and technical checks. These elements usually involve coordination with the venue, so early booking ensures everything runs smoothly.
Third on your priority list should be interactive entertainment. This includes photo booths, magic mirrors, themed props, magicians, or walkabout performers. These popular additions get snapped up fast during peak season, and they often need time to personalise designs or branding.
After that, consider your décor and special themes. If you're aiming for a unique vibe—like a Winter Wonderland, Après Ski, or retro Christmas—you’ll want to give your supplier plenty of time to source materials and build the look.
Lastly, think about your catering and guest flow. Although food and drink suppliers can often be flexible, they’ll need to know when and how your entertainment is scheduled to serve everything at the right time. Once your DJ and booth slots are confirmed, the rest of your event timing becomes easier to manage.
How Early Should You Book?
For most corporate Christmas parties, a good rule of thumb is:
-
6‑9 months ahead: Best if you want a high‑profile DJ / live band, special venue or large guest list.
-
4‑6 months ahead: Good for securing reliable vendors, decent pricing, having more options.
-
2‑3 months ahead: Possible, but expect limited availability and perhaps higher cost.
If your event is large or has niche requirements (e.g. AV effects, large-scale special effects, “wow factor” entertainment), leaning closer to 9‑12 months ahead is even better.
Planning Checklist: What to Confirm Once Entertainment Is Booked
Once your Christmas party entertainment is confirmed, here's what to nail down:
-
Confirm the schedule: when music starts, when breaks are, when photo booths or effects are active.
-
Contracts, deposits and payment terms with all vendors (DJ, photo booth, lighting, etc.).
-
Tech & logistics: ensure stage, PA system, power, floor space, safety.
-
Theme & dress code communications to staff/guests. If you're using branded effects or photo booths, get those designs in early.
-
Guest comfort: heating, coatings, parking, transport (especially in December weather).
Why RCT Entertainments Is Your Partner for Christmas Party Hire
If you’re looking for corporate entertainment Essex providers who deliver reliability, creativity, and professional service, RCT Entertainments has proven experience. On our website, you’ll find a variety of entertainment options, DJs, themed entertainment, effects, photo booths, all part of our christmas party hire offerings. Interlinking our event services ensures your music, lighting, booths, and atmosphere all align.
By choosing us early you benefit from:
-
Early access to prime DJs and show‑acts
-
Time for custom‑branding and theme creation
-
Seamless coordination between different aspects of entertainment and hire (e.g. DJ + effects + decoration)
Less risk of disappointments or supply shortages
Common Mistakes When Booking Late
To emphasise why booking early matters, here are a few pitfalls that often happen when bookings are left to the last minute:
-
Settling for a DJ who is available rather than the one you really wanted.
-
Photo booths or interactive extras unavailable or much more expensive because of the rush.
-
Last‑minute technical or logistics issues (venue power, sound setup, lighting) that don’t get time to be tested.
-
Poor guest experience due to rushed timing: music starts too late, acts overlap, or guests miss special entertainment moments.
Final Thoughts & Action Plan
Here’s a quick action plan to make sure your Christmas event is one to remember:
-
Decide your event date as soon as possible.
-
Set your entertainment budget and priorities - what matters most (music, effects, interactive fun).
-
Reach out to trusted providers (for example RCT Entertainments) to check availability.
-
Lock in your main entertainment (DJ or live band) first.
-
Confirm secondary extras: photo booths, themed effects, decorations.
-
Communicate with your team / guests: theme, timing, dress code.
-
Plan logistics: venue, power, technical specs, safety, comfort.
Ready to Book Your Christmas Party Entertainment?
Don’t wait until December chaos kicks in.
Secure your Christmas party entertainment today with RCT Entertainments and get ahead of the rush. From DJs to booths to full party packages, we’ll help you throw a festive celebration your team won’t forget.
👉 Get in touch now to check availability or explore our full
Christmas party hire services.
<< Return to news