Make your December calendar sparkle—expert advice from Bree Noble and Cayla on planning, booking, and thriving during the busiest (and most lucrative) season of the year.
Introduction
It’s barely July, but if you want a thriving holiday performance schedule, now is the time to lay the groundwork! In a recent episode of the PM Podcast Videos, host Bree Noble and co-host Kayla shared practical, actionable strategies for independent musicians to harness the magic of the holiday season. From nailing bookings to setting up themed programs, here’s how to ensure you’re not missing out on this high-opportunity window.
Why “Christmas in July” Matters for Performers
Bree Noble’s philosophy is simple: If you don’t plan holiday activities in July, opportunities will slip away by fall. Most venues and organizations book their holiday entertainment months in advance—and jumping on this early-bird train gives you a crucial edge. Waiting until October might mean missing out, as prime dates get snapped up and you risk being under-prepared with your marketing, material, and negotiations.
July isn’t about cranking “Jingle Bells” in the heat. It’s about being strategic—thinking ahead so your festive season is profitable, stress-free, and, yes, joyful!
Step 1: Start With a Booking Blueprint
Mine Your Past Gigs
Kayla recommends beginning with a thorough list of every place you’ve performed in the past three years. Churches, community centers, clubs—review them all. Look for venues you might have overlooked as potential holiday hosts. This is often your “low-hanging fruit”; organizations you already have rapport with are much more likely to welcome you back for seasonal programs.
Expand Your Possibilities
Next, brainstorm new booking categories:
– Churches & Cathedrals: Many have special services and events at Christmas, from candlelight vigils to themed parties for subgroups.
– Community Groups & Women’s Clubs: These often host weekday luncheons or weekday events, a great way to fill your midweek calendar and leave weekends open for major gigs.
– Service Organizations & Nonprofits: End-of-year parties honoring volunteers and staff need entertainment—and often, you can partner with them by donating a portion of merchandise sales.
– Senior Centers, Long-Term Care Homes, and Libraries: These institutions are always searching for engaging holiday programming.
– Hotels, Resorts, Restaurants, and Malls: From high-end hotel luncheons to community tree-lightings, these venues are hotspots for seasonal bookings.
– Corporate & Office Parties: Don’t overlook small businesses—a chiropractor’s office, for example, might welcome live music at their annual dinner.
– Friends, Family & Private Parties: Holiday house concerts add a memorable, personal touch, and sometimes all it takes is suggesting the idea.
To maximize exposure, balance high-visibility but low-paying community gigs (which build reputation and open doors) with lucrative, high-demand bookings.
Step 2: Craft Multiple Holiday Programs
Having a versatile set of programs is key, as Bree and Kayla highlight. Not every venue will want the same vibe or performance length. Bree suggests mapping out:
– Signature Program: Flesh out one fully-realized show, complete with a setlist, transitions, and theme (e.g., a blend of Christmas stories and songs, as in Bree’s “Gift Beneath the Star”).
– “On Demand” Programs: Outline additional concepts—jazz-themed, story-driven, or even interactive sing-alongs—that can be tailored for future bookings.
Create versions for different timeframes (30-min, 1-hour, etc.) and include non-musical elements like poetry, scripture readings, or anecdotes.
Step 3: Nail the Business Details
– Set Your Pricing: Define rates for various program lengths and group sizes. Have these numbers ready before negotiations.
– Showcase Your Work: Film or record a “Christmas highlight reel” to add to your website, EPK, or send to potential clients.
– Contract & Deposit: Secure prime dates (especially weekends) with a signed contract and a non-refundable deposit. Specify cancellation deadlines to protect your schedule and income.
– Market Annual Events: Consider launching your own recurring holiday concert, as PM Podcast community member Catherine Mahler did, building tradition and anticipation in your community.
Conclusion
The foundation for a successful holiday season is laid months in advance. By beginning the conversation and outreach now, musicians can maximize both their calendar and their income during the busy winter months. Embrace the spirit of “Christmas in July”—make a plan, get creative, and get booked!
Stay tuned—next week’s episode will delve into the art of planning and releasing holiday music. Don’t miss out on tips that could take your musical career to festive new heights!