Christmas Events That Will Fill Your Dance Studio (Even Mid-Crazy Season)

How Christmas Events Can Grow Your Studio

You’re knee-deep in concert prep, trying to remember if you replied to that re-enrolment email, and wondering how you’re going to pull off a Christmas lunch that doesn’t involve nuggets and a cheeseboard. We get it.

But what if we told you that in the middle of all this festive chaos, there’s an opportunity that could genuinely grow your studio?

It’s called your local Christmas event.

Whether it’s a tree lighting, Santa arrival, or local carols gig, these events might seem like “just one more thing.” But if you do them right, they can be the most powerful marketing moment of your year.

Here’s how we’ve made it work - and how you can too.

1. Don’t Just Perform - Promote
Most studios show up, dance, and leave. But the real power? Happens at your stall. Think of it as a pop-up front desk for your studio - one that meets hundreds (sometimes thousands!) of families.

Bring flyers, QR codes to capture leads, and little attention-grabbers for the kids (light-up wands, anyone?). It’s not just about being seen, it’s about starting conversations.

2. Make It Easy for People to Say Yes
No one at a busy street festival wants to talk timetables. So don’t try to “sell” enrolment on the spot. Just collect names. Smile. Hand them something useful. Then follow up later.

Bec’s team uses a super simple system: text leads the next day with three time options for a quick call. This turns cold leads into warm ones fast - and it works way better than sending a generic email blast.

3. Offer Gift Vouchers That Feel Like Real Presents
Here’s a genius move for holiday sales: dance gift vouchers. But don’t stop at a piece of paper. Package them up with a leotard, a sparkly scrunchie, or even a little wand, and you’ve got a ready-made Christmas gift.

Grandparents LOVE these. And it’s a great way to secure new students before the new year even kicks off.

4. Keep It Simple On Stage
Worried about squeezing in extra rehearsals? Don’t. Just use your existing concert routines and match them to a festive track. No need to re-choreograph anything.

Bonus tip: pick your biggest classes to perform - this gets the most parents, siblings, and friends watching (read: more eyes on your studio!).

5. Think Like a Parent - Not a Dance Teacher
It can be so easy to forget that what feels totally normal to us in the dance world (a jazz solo in fishnets, for example) can look a bit off to a new parent seeing dance for the first time.

Stick with fun, festive, family-friendly songs and costumes. Santa hats go a long way.

6. Safety First (Especially for Littlies)
Outdoor events are a different beast - especially with preschoolers. Bec assigns one staff member to every 10 kids, uses coloured wristbands, and keeps groups tight.

You want your studio to be remembered for that adorable Rudolph routine, not a lost child announcement.

What If I’m Too Busy?
Honestly? You probably are. But doing the event doesn’t have to mean doing everything. Start small. Join an existing event. Offer just one class to perform. Or even just set up a stall and be present.

The key is consistency. The more your community sees you, the more they trust you.

And trust turns into enrolments.

So if you’ve been wondering whether it’s worth saying yes to that Christmas gig… this is your nudge. Go for it. Show up, shine bright, and let the sparkle lead them straight to your studio doors.

You’ve got this (and we’ve got your back).

Big hugs, Amanda & Bec