Planning a Christmas wedding in Australia is a chance to blend festive magic with relaxed summer energy, creating a truly unique atmosphere. If you’re looking for holiday-inspired entertainment that feels stylish, fresh, and unforgettable—something your guests will genuinely want to participate in and talk about—these Christmas wedding entertainment ideas will help you create a celebration guests talk about long after December ends.
Unique Christmas Wedding Entertainment Ideas
Here are nine creative ways to bring festive magic into your summer wedding without going full “tinsel and carols.”
1. Roving Acoustic Ensemble with a Festive Twist
If you want a seamless, sophisticated atmosphere without a static band stage dominating the room, a roving acoustic trio is a standout choice for high-quality Christmas wedding entertainment. These performers move gracefully through your guests during canapés or cocktail hour, creating a warm, intimate feel. They perform soft, feel-good pop and contemporary tracks, but the festive twist is what makes them special—think delicate, subtle sleigh bells woven into the percussion, gorgeous warm harmonies, or a gentle inclusion of sophisticated holiday instrumentation.
2. Live Jazz Trio with a Rat Pack Holiday Set
Nothing elevates a sophisticated celebration quite like a live jazz trio delivering smooth holiday classics. Curating a high-end, Rat Pack–style set—drawing from timeless artists like Sinatra, Bublé, or Dean Martin—instantly creates a luxurious, golden-age holiday vibe that is perfectly suited for dinner service or pre-reception drinks. This type of wedding entertainment is inherently festive in a timeless, elegant way, striking the perfect balance for couples who want high-class elegance and atmosphere over novelty or gimmicks.
3. DJ + Live Sax or Percussion for a Modern Festive Party
If the goal for your reception is a guaranteed, packed dance floor, pairing a professional wedding DJ with a live instrumentalist—specifically a saxophonist or percussionist—is one of the most dynamic and popular Christmas wedding entertainment ideas. The DJ provides the foundation, spinning upbeat summer tracks and party anthems, while the live musician adds that electrifying, improvisational magic that engages the crowd. To tie it to the theme, have your DJ mix in just a few subtle, energetic Christmas remixes or instrumentals throughout the night.
4. Festive Icy Cocktail Bar + Luxury Hot Chocolate Bar
Offering a themed, interactive food and drink experience will create a talking point that guests genuinely remember and appreciate. Implement a double-theme bar to appeal to everyone: A Summer Cool Down station offering gelato, icy poles, or signature cocktails infused with festive but refreshing flavours like gingerbread spritzes, mulled wine sorbet, or peppermint-infused coolers. Counter this with a Winter Warm Up station: a decadent, cosy hot chocolate bar loaded with luxury toppings like whipped cream, marshmallows, and optional adults-only add-ins such as Baileys, Peppermint Schnapps, or a quality rum.
5. Festive Photo Booth with an Aussie Summer Spin
Photo booths are always a guest favourite, but you can make your wedding entertainment uniquely memorable by introducing an “Aussie Christmas Summer” twist. Blend the classic festive props that everyone expects (Santa hats, reindeer antlers, mistletoe signs) with inherently Australian, beachy summer accessories like novelty giant sunglasses, inflatable beach balls, novelty thongs (flip-flops), or a surf-Santa sign. Using a backdrop that depicts Santa-on-the-beach or a shimmering summer sunset seals the playful look.
6. Interactive Christmas Games & Quizzes for Guest Bonding
To keep the momentum flowing seamlessly between speeches, dinner courses, and the start of the dancing, incorporate interactive Christmas wedding entertainment ideas that actively encourage guest bonding. Organise a small, festive scavenger hunt around the venue, or set up a table-versus-table holiday movie, song, or trivia quiz. This gentle competition and shared activity helps guests who are strangers mingle naturally, sparks laughter, and keeps the energy bright during lulls.
7. Nutcracker Stilt Walkers or Ice Queen Roving Performers
If you desire an instant “wow” factor from the moment your guests arrive at your venue, hiring themed roving performers will instantly elevate the occasion to a theatrical level. Nutcracker stilt walkers, shimmering Mirror-costumed dancers, or elegant Ice Queens add striking theatre, height, and undeniable visual elegance to your entryway or cocktail area. They are perfect for photo opportunities, setting a high-end, magical tone for your Christmas wedding that feels genuinely special rather than simply festive.
8. Live Painter with Subtle Festive Elements
A live painter offers both an excellent form of subtle Christmas wedding entertainment and a spectacular, lasting keepsake. Guests are captivated by watching the artwork evolve throughout the night, turning the creation process into an engaging spectacle. Instruct your painter to weave in specific festive touches—such as the subtle glow of fairy lights, deep greens, warm reds, or rich golden hues—into the final composition of your reception scene or first-dance portrait. It’s a personal, deeply meaningful, and visually captivating way to commemorate your day.
9. LED Light Performers or a Drone Light Show
Warm December nights provide the ideal canvas for outdoor visual spectacles, making these some of the most memorable Christmas wedding entertainment ideas. Hire high-energy performers like LED dancers, hula hoop artists, or jugglers to create a mesmerising after-dark performance moment. For couples seeking a truly unforgettable “big finish,” a drone light show offers a spectacular, high-tech, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional fireworks.
Making Your Christmas Wedding Unforgettable
A December wedding gives you the beautiful advantage of blending sentiment, celebration and summer fun. These Christmas wedding entertainment ideas aren’t just festive additions—they’re ways to elevate your day, surprise your guests, and create an atmosphere that feels uniquely yours.
Need help finding and booking the perfect band or unique roving performers to execute these ideas? Call us at 1300 379 277 or Contact us. We’ll connect you with some of the top wedding entertainers that will charm your guests and keep your dance floor full all night long.
