Sierlijke acrobate aan een swaypole met blaadjes bij een zakelijk evenement

Why a winter festival is more than a Christmas party

A winter festival is not a Christmas party. That distinction matters. A Christmas party is small-scale and tightly focused on Christmas. A winter festival is something different: larger in scale and open to a broader audience.

A winter festival is about the atmosphere of winter without the obligations of Christmas: no Christmas trees doing the heavy lifting, but ice, light, warmth, spectacle and experience.

A winter festival works for groups from around 200 people upwards. Smaller than that and you lose the festival atmosphere. Bigger than 2,000 is fine too. Winter festivals scale well.

Concept and theme: what makes your winter festival unique?

The strongest winter festivals have a clear concept that goes beyond 'wintry and cosy'. Popular winter festival concepts are: Alpine Village (the feel of a ski lodge, fire, fondue, live music), Ice Palace (light, ice, crystal, spectacle on a grand scale), Nordic Wonderland (Scandinavian simplicity, warmth, hearty comfort food), Winter Carnival (retro and nostalgic).

The strongest concept is always the concept that connects to who you are as a company. More on concept development.

Venue: indoors, outdoors or both?

Winter festivals are best held at a venue with character. Outdoors you get authentic winter atmosphere, room for large decorations and fire, but the event is weather-dependent. Indoors the temperature and sound are well controlled, but you have less of that 'real' winter feeling.

The best winter festivals combine the two: a heated indoor core with outdoor elements around it.

Plan the venue choice early. Popular winter venues are often fully booked for December as early as September. Start at least six months before your event date.

Entertainment and programme

A winter festival deserves an entertainment programme that feels like more than a party. Strong choices are: a live band that can shift from a smaller-scale winter sound to a festive grand finale, circus acts or fire shows, ice-skating instructors or curling lanes as a participatory activity, and light installations or projection mapping.

Build in quiet moments too. A heated corner with hot chocolate and soft music gives people the space to catch up.

Budget and planning: what does a winter festival cost?

A staff party costs roughly €250 to €350+ per person excluding VAT for 250 to 500 guests. For 500 to 1,000 guests you should expect around €225 to €325+ per person. For 1,000 to 2,000 guests around €200 to €300+ per person. Above 2,000 guests around €150 to €200+ per person. All amounts exclude VAT and include venue, catering, entertainment and production.

You can organise this tax-efficiently via the WKR (Dutch work-related costs scheme).

Have Live Impact organise your winter festival

A winter festival at this level is not something you organise on the side. It demands conceptual strength, production expertise and a network of reliable suppliers.

Live Impact organises winter festivals for companies of 200 to more than 2,000 employees and clients. We develop the concept from your brand DNA, select the venue, arrange the entertainment, coordinate the production and make sure everything on the night itself runs smoothly.

Call 085 401 40 14, email hello@live-impact.nl or fill in our online brief.

Seriously fun.

Also read

• Event marketing: why a live event makes your message resonate more strongly

• Kick-off program: how to build a day that sticks

• Teambuilding activities: 20 ideas that really work

Frequently asked questions

Can Live Impact organise Christmas drinks?

Yes. We organise Christmas drinks for 30 to 500 people. From venue booking and supplier contracts to styling and music: concept and delivery in one hand. That way, on the evening itself, you're with your team and not behind the bar.

Does a Christmas drinks event fall under the WKR?

Yes. A Christmas drinks event falls under the work-related costs scheme (WKR). In 2026 the free allowance is 1.7% of the total payroll. A Christmas drinks event for staff falls under it, as do other staff events. Note: if you've already held events earlier in the year, the free allowance may already be used up.

More about the Christmas drinks event →

When should you book a venue for Christmas drinks?

As early as possible, preferably in August or September. November and December are the busiest months for venues in the Netherlands. The best places are already fully booked for the Christmas period in October. Whoever still calls in November gets what's left.

What does organising a Christmas drinks event cost?

A year-end party or Christmas party costs roughly €250 to €350+ per person ex. VAT for 250 to 500 guests. For 500 to 1,000 guests you should count on roughly €225 to €325+ per person. For 1,000 to 2,000 guests around €200 to €300+ per person. Above 2,000 guests around €150 to €200+ per person. All amounts excluding VAT.

In December many venues and suppliers charge a peak-period surcharge. Book early: the best venues are already full in June.

More about organising a Christmas drinks event →

What is the difference between Christmas drinks and a Christmas party?

Christmas drinks are informal, standing, short (2 to 3 hours) and accessible. A Christmas party is an evening with dinner or buffet, programme or entertainment, a clear beginning and end.

For a Christmas party, expect around €250 to €350+ per person ex. VAT for 250 to 500 guests. For 500 to 1,000 guests around €225 to €325+ per person. For 1,000 to 2,000 guests around €200 to €300+ per person. Above 2,000 guests around €150 to €200+ per person. All amounts excluding VAT.

The mistake: planning drinks but expecting the experience of a party.

Read our full article on Christmas drinks →

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