holiday events | Brown Paper Tickets

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for holiday events. Bust out the ugly sweaters or the pretty ones, grab a mug of hot chocolate, and celebrate the holiday season with 12 unique takes on classic holiday events:

1. Brassy Baroque Christmas

The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet plays holiday classics mixed in with a sprinkling of baroque musical cheer. Go baroque. Portsmouth, NH.

2. A Seussified Christmas Carol

Relive your childhood favorite books all at once. At this, “whimsical romp through a Dickens’ classic,” meet Scrooge, Bed-Headed Fred, Little Timmy Loo Hoo, and Ghost of Christmas Future, Sven. Bedford, VA.

3. A Very Drunk Christmas Variety

What’s under that iconic leg lamp? Find out at this drunken variety extravaganza. From “A Christmas Story” to a “Mensch on a Bench,” this night of laughs and cocktails features some of Philly’s well-known performers showcasing their best holiday talents. Philadelphia, PA.

4. Bah Humbug! A one-man Christmas Carol

One man. All the characters in “A Christmas Carol.” Enough said. San Antonio, TX.

5. Christmas Hangover

Owen Alabado, an LA Comedian known for his TV and commercial appearances, will give a Christmas comedy show almost guaranteed to make you spit-take that spiked cocoa. Janesville, WI.

6. Christmas Queens are Coming to Town

You better not shout, you better not cry, but you can laugh and serve holiday realness with this holiday drag queen show. Manteo, NC.

7. Harry Potter Yule Brunch + Quizzo

Potterheads rejoice. Enjoy a magical brunch of delectable wizarding world sweets and a lively game of Quizzo. Ten points to Gryffindor. Philadelphia, PA.

8. Ho Ho Holiday Improv

Support local veterans and win a prize for the best ugly sweater. Did we mention hilarious improv? Brookfield, IL.

9. Ho Ho Homicide

A little murder mystery is sure to spice up your holiday. In this dinner event, guests uncover clues, mingle with suspects, and decipher a holiday mystery for the ages. Boise, ID.

10. Jackie Beat in Menstrual Krampus

Jackie Beat, the legendary drag performer celebrates the dark side of the season with a Krampus-themed performance. San Francisco, CA.

11. Acro Cats Meowy Christmas

Oh thank Tuna, the Acro-Cats are back and ready to sleigh. Watch these felines perform insanely cute Christmas stunts—jumping through wreaths, rolling ornaments, quite possibly running into the audience. The world’s only kitty rock band, will perform songs like, “Catnip Roasting on an Open Fire.” New Orleans, LA.

12. The Naughty List: a Holiday Cabaret

Here’s one for those who prefer a holiday filled with naughty and spice. The Frisky Fandoms will tease and shimmy their way through all the holiday classics—it’s sure to be scandalous. Bellingham, WA.

Comment below with your favorite way to spend the holidays.

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Tick(et) tock. The holidays are coming up and so is your event. Holiday events require special love because there is a lot of competition (we’re looking at you Nutcracker), but you can use the season to your advantage.

Here are 5 holiday promotion strategies that will get your attendees lining up to buy those tickets.

1. Have a Black Friday ticket sale

Sure, Black Friday (Nov. 23) is kind of divisive, a little bit scary and definitely over-saturated with sales, but you can use the day to your advantage. More and more, people are gifting experiences instead of material goods (think: tickets vs. TVs)—so Black Friday is the perfect day to give a special discount on tickets. Add a discount code to your event that is valid only on Black Friday, then post your code on all of your social media accounts.

Here’s how to add discount codes to prices—you can always call us if you run into trouble.

2. Partner with restaurants

’Tis the season for gorging. Turn your single event into a special night-out. Partner with restaurants near your event to offer a “set meal” as a part of a ticket bundle. The eatery chooses the meal and sets the price. You add the cost to your ticket price and offer the package on your event page.

Now, not only do you have an attractive night out for event goers, you’ll have double the promotion, as the restaurant will promote it to their followers.

3. Let kids get in free

School is out and families are looking for events and activities. They will flock to your event if the brood can get in for free. Contact schools and ask them to insert a promo into their newsletters or post a flyer on their bulletin board. Submit your event to family newsletters like the Red Tricycle.

4. Add a giving component

The holidays put everyone in a giving mood. Find a local nonprofit or cause to partner with and bundle a donation with a ticket level or collect donations at your event. Not only does this offer cross-promo opportunities and compel attendees to spread the word, you can contact local press and ask them to feature your event.

Plus, giving back is just a good thing to do.

5. Talk to our promo experts

We have a knowledgeable and creative promo squad, waiting to help you with your strategy. Our team can explain the best social media tactics in minutes, talk you through setting up a holiday Facebook campaign and help you boost ticket sales. All of it is free — just email our promo team to set up a consultation.

Sharing is caring. Comment below with your own promotion ideas. What has worked and what hasn’t?

Event Tips >

A Partridge and a Parody: 12 Twists on Classic Holiday Events