The holiday season is a magical time filled with warmth, joy, and festive celebrations, making it the perfect backdrop for dance studios to host special events. Whether it’s a Kindness Month initiative, a Nutcracker Tea Party or a Holiday Mini Camp, these events help bring the spirit of the season to your studio while boosting your business. Adding holiday-themed events can introduce new dancers to your classes, foster community, and provide an extra revenue stream during typically slower months.
Here’s a guide on how to make the most out of the holiday season by hosting events that bring holiday cheer—and so much more—to your studio.
Why Host Holiday Events?
Increase Revenue in Slow Months
The holiday months can be challenging financially for some studios. Holiday events provide an extra opportunity for income, even as students are busy with other seasonal activities.Market Your Dance Classes
Holiday events give new families a low-pressure way to experience your studio firsthand. These events can be fun introductions for prospective students, allowing parents and dancers to get a taste of what your classes offer.Foster Community and Customer Loyalty
There’s something special about a community gathering to celebrate the season. Hosting these events allows your students and their families to connect with one another, building a loyal and engaged community around your studio.Share the Magic of the Season
Holidays are magical, especially for young dancers. By bringing that magic into your studio, you create memories and experiences that will stay with your students and families long after the season ends.
Seasonal Event Ideas to Consider
Kindness Month in November
November is Kindness Month at Tiffany’s Dance Academy (TDA), and we’re celebrating it with a series of meaningful activities to encourage acts of kindness and gratitude. In the lobby, we’re introducing a "Kindness Matters" banner where students can contribute by taking a kindness card, performing a good deed, and writing it on a colorful index card to display on the banner. For our holiday potluck party, we’re setting up a "Thankful Tree" with paper leaves, where kids can write what they're grateful for and attach it to the tree. We’ll also have “Find Someone Who” Bingo cards for parents and Color Kindness Cards for kids to foster positive connections in our dance community.Nutcracker Tea Party in November and December
November and December are perfect for a Nutcracker Tea Party, where young dancers can dress up, enjoy a magical “tea” experience, and dance to the music of the Nutcracker. This type of event is ideal for children of all ages and can be a wonderful introduction to ballet for new students.Holiday Mini Camps in December and January
Mini camps during school breaks in December and January provide a fun activity when students have extra time. These camps can include festive crafts, holiday-themed dance routines, and even a small performance at the end to showcase what the dancers learned.
Make It Easy to Participate
Keep the holiday spirit alive by making it easy for everyone to join the festivities. Open your events to current, past, and prospective students, encouraging families to bring friends as a way to share the holiday fun. Consider offering the event for free if a dancer brings a friend who isn’t currently enrolled at the studio—this is a great way to introduce new families to your community!
Marketing Tips for Holiday Events
To make sure your events are well-attended, start your marketing efforts 2-3 weeks ahead of time. Here are some tips:
Email and Text Blasts
Reach out to your mailing list, including current students, alumni, and those who have expressed interest in your classes. Email and text messages are effective ways to ensure everyone knows about your event and any special promotions you’re offering.Social Media Boosting
Create a Facebook event for your holiday event and consider boosting it to increase visibility. Encourage parents to RSVP and share the event with friends. Use festive graphics and videos to get people excited!Studio Announcements and Newsletters
Spread the word about your events during regular classes by handing out flyers and including the information in your monthly studio newsletters. Teachers and staff can also mention the events to parents during pick-up and drop-off times.
Creating a Magical Day-of Event Experience
On the day of the event, set the tone by decorating the studio according to the holiday theme. For example:
Festive Decorations
Use themed decorations like holiday lights, seasonal flowers, and fun decor pieces that make the studio feel magical and inviting.Music
Play holiday-themed music to add to the festive atmosphere.Goody Bags
Give out small goody bags with treats, stickers, or other small items as a thank-you for attending. This can leave a lasting impression and build goodwill among students and their families.
Don’t Forget to Offer a Promotion
Before the event wraps up, provide a special promotion for new students who want to register for classes. This could be a discounted rate for their first month or a free trial class. Use the event as an opportunity to share how your studio can continue bringing joy and growth to their child’s life beyond the holiday season.
Spread the Holiday Cheer!
The holiday season is the perfect opportunity to bring extra joy to your studio and strengthen your community of dancers and families. By planning holiday-themed events that are easy and fun for everyone to attend, you’ll build a positive reputation in the community, encourage new enrollments, and bring the magic of the season to life for your students.
Happy holidays, and may your studio be filled with the joy and warmth of the season!
