Every year the same thing happens. Somebody in the office says “we must sort the Christmas do” in September, and somebody else says “we’ll look at it in November”. Then November arrives, every venue in Bristol is gone, and the party gets squeezed into a Tuesday lunchtime in a function room above a pub. Here is the honest version of how the Christmas calendar actually works, and why the people who book early get a better party for less money.
December Is One Month of Weekends
Strip out the working days and December is a handful of usable Friday and Saturday nights. Every office, every school, every club and every family in the city is competing for the same handful. Venues know this and price accordingly. Entertainers know it too. The dates that go first are the ones everybody actually wants, and by the time most people start looking, what is left is what nobody wanted.
November is the opposite. It is a full month with the same number of weekends and none of the pressure. Same entertainers, same venues, better choice, and far more room to move if your first date does not work.
The Case for a November Party
- You get the date you want. The best Friday and Saturday slots are still open in November. In December they are a lottery.
- People actually turn up. December diaries are full of other Christmas dos. A November party is the only thing in the diary that week, so your guest list holds.
- Venues and suppliers are more flexible. November rates and availability are both kinder, and you have room to negotiate rather than take what is left.
- It kicks off the season rather than capping it. A party in late November feels like the start of Christmas, not the last thing before everybody goes home.
- No clash with the school nativity run. If you have children coming, December is already booked solid with concerts, fairs and assemblies.
What We Do at a Christmas Party
Our Christmas parties are built around a mix of circus performance and hands-on circus skills, and we shape the balance to the room. For an office party that usually means a short, sharp cabaret-style set with fire and glow, then a session where everybody has a go at juggling, plate spinning and balancing. For a family or children’s party it is more of a show-and-do, with the children performing by the end. If you want a glow or fire show as the centrepiece, that is what we are known for.
We have been performing and teaching circus for over 30 years and we are based in Keynsham, Bristol. There is more on the formats at Christmas party entertainment in Bristol, and the full range at circus workshops.
Prices, Plainly
No agency in the middle, no commission, and a written quote before you commit. That is the whole model, and it is why booking direct with the performer usually costs less than going through an agency that adds its own margin on top.
- Kids Christmas parties – from £350 for 20 to 40 children. For a party booked for December we take 20% off, which brings the from-price down to £280. We know a birthday that lands near Christmas is a rough deal, so this is the one we discount.
- Circus skills workshops – from £250 for a half day, £500 for a full day.
- Christmas shows and cabaret – quoted per event. Send us the date, the venue and roughly how many people, and we will come back with a figure.
- Travel – free within 20 miles of Keynsham, then 50p per mile. No hidden mileage.
The pricing page carries the full breakdown.
What to Have Ready When You Enquire
You do not need much. Three things and we can usually confirm a date the same day: the date or the couple of dates you are considering, the venue or the rough area, and how many people you are expecting. If it is a children’s party, the age range matters more than the exact number.
If you are booking for a school, a club or a group rather than a private party, say so. Group and multi-session bookings work out cheaper per head and we would rather quote you the right thing first time.
Frequently Asked
Is it too early to book a Christmas party in October?
No, it is exactly the right time. October and early November are when the good December dates and the good November dates are both still available. By mid-November the December weekend slots are mostly gone.
Can you do a party in November instead of December?
Yes, and we would recommend it. November has more available dates, less competition with other Christmas events, and the same performers and formats as December.
Do you charge more for December?
No. Our prices are the same in November and December. The difference is availability, not cost. The one seasonal discount we run is 20% off kids parties booked for December, because a birthday near Christmas is nobody’s first choice.
What areas do you cover at Christmas?
Bristol, Bath and the wider South West, including Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. We are based in Keynsham, travel is free within 20 miles of Keynsham and charged at 50p per mile beyond that.
Get Your Date Sorted
Send us the date you have in mind, the venue and your rough numbers, and we will confirm availability and a written quote, usually within 24 hours. If you are weighing up November against December, say so and we will tell you honestly what is still open.
Christmas party entertainment · Prices · Reviews · FAQs · Enquire