Planning the Music for Your Company Holiday Party
A company holiday party is one of the hardest rooms to play, and one of my favorites.
Think about who's there. The owner. The new hire who started two weeks ago. The sales team that's ready to go. The accounting department that hasn't danced since 2019. Somebody's husband who doesn't know anyone. They all came to the same party, but they didn't all come for the same reason.
The music has to work for every one of them. Here's how I think about it, from the first guest through the door to the last song.
Arrival: let people talk
The first part of the night is about saying hi. People are getting a drink, finding their table and catching up with coworkers they only see on Zoom.
That's not the time to turn it up. I keep the music recognizable and easy, loud enough to fill the room but low enough that nobody has to lean in and say "what?" twice. If people are talking, the music is doing its job.
Dinner, speeches and awards
This is where planning pays off. Before the event, I want to know:
- When dinner starts and how it's served
- Who's speaking, in what order, and how to say their names
- If there are awards, raffles or a slideshow
- Whether anyone needs a wireless mic or a mic on a stand
Speeches should feel easy. The mic works, the music fades out on cue, and it comes back up when the applause starts. If you're giving out awards, a quick walk-up song for each winner is a fun touch and keeps things moving.
Opening the dance floor
You can't force a work crowd to dance. I don't jump straight to club music the second plates are cleared.
The first few songs after dinner are the ones everybody knows, no matter their age. Motown, disco, 80s and 90s throwbacks, and a few current hits. Once a couple of people get up, their friends follow, and then the boss gets pulled out there. That's usually when the night takes off.
From there I read the room. If the younger crowd is carrying the floor, I'll lean into newer music. If a whole table jumps up for Earth, Wind & Fire, I take the hint.
Keeping it work-appropriate
It's still a work event. Tell me if you want clean edits only, and if there's anything you'd rather not hear, I want to know before the night starts.
You don't have to build a playlist, though. One client wrote in her review that she gave me "little to no guidelines on what type of music to play," and everyone loved it. Another wrote that I "knew exactly how to blend the music throughout the luncheon so it was appropriate, leading into some great dance music." That's the goal: the right music at the right time, without you having to think about it.
Booking a holiday party in South Florida
December goes fast down here. Friday and Saturday nights fill up first, so if you're looking at a weekend date, reach out early.
A few other things to keep in mind:
- Weeknights and lunches are a great option. Plenty of companies do a weekday party or a holiday luncheon, and those dates are usually easier to book.
- Check your venue's rules. Hotels, rooftops and restaurants often have sound limits, load-in times and a hard end time. Send them over and I'll plan around them.
- Have a backup for outdoor events. December weather in South Florida is usually perfect, but it's worth knowing where the party moves if it rains.
What to send your DJ
When you reach out, these details help me give you a real answer quickly:
- Date, start time and end time
- Venue name and city
- Roughly how many guests and the age range
- The schedule for speeches, awards or anything else on the mic
- Anything you want to hear, and anything you don't
Planning a company holiday party in Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Palm Beach? Tell me about it and we'll talk through the whole night.
