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The venues that fill their books fastest aren't doing anything magical, they're using the guest data they already have. Most operators are sitting on booking history, spending patterns and visit frequency that could be driving targeted campaigns right now. The gap is usually the connection between that data and the tools to act on it. Acteol Evo, Access Hospitality's CRM, closes that gap: it links your guest data to personalised messaging, so your Christmas campaigns reach the right people with the right offer, not a generic mailout to your whole database.
We're sharing our top tips on how to make sure your venue is the first choice for guests looking to enjoy the festive season. From personalised experiences to using customer data to drive campaigns, this article covers the marketing strategies you need for a successful seasonal period.
Demand isn't limited to Christmas either. Access Hospitality's 2025/26 search demand data shows 'winter' searches are up 102% year on year, giving you a longer window to capture bookings across the whole season.
Increase seasonal bookings, personalise festive packages and transform your socials
The key to keeping bookings and engagement high is to make your customers feel unique and catered for, and with customer data, you have the power to offer the best Christmas deals for guaranteed bookings. Our smart CRM and guest Wi-Fi solutions can segment your customer data and help you organise your targeted campaigns to reach the right audience. Here are some other ways our hospitality software can kick-start your festive campaigning:
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Create seasonal packages that are too hard to resist: Using customer data from your CRM you can construct festive packages that cater to specific budgets and preferences, so you hit every target market.
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Get festive with targeted campaigns: Build and design newsletters and exciting promotions through Acteol Evo to notify new and returning customers of special offers and early bird discounts.
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Personalise your brand so guests feel included in the festivities: Our guest Wi-Fi collates customers' behaviours and preferences for you to deliver landing pages that resonate with their specific needs and drive more advanced bookings.
So, what are the best strategies for boosting your bookings?
1. Craft irresistible Christmas experiences
Customer data is one of the most powerful tools you have at Christmas, and using it well is what separates a fully booked festive season from a quiet one. With Acteol Evo, we help you delight your guests with guest Wi-Fi, which helps you create personalised landing pages that showcase relevant offers and promotions. Investing in personalised experiences makes guests feel valued, and when they see tailored offers created for them, they're more likely to buy into your Christmas offerings.
Put your venue at the top of the list by promoting your key USPs based on guests' preferences, spending habits, and past visits. This data allows you to deliver tailored messages and offers that help your brand stand out to guests seeking the ultimate Christmas experience, from festive family brunches to elegant corporate dinner parties.
For restaurant operators, ResDiary Evo gives you that booking history and preference data in one place, ready to feed directly into your campaign targeting.
2. Give your social media a festive flair
Social media is one of the most powerful tools for reaching potential guests, and it's no longer just about influence. According to GoDaddy research, 79% of Millennials and 80% of Gen Z consumers now make purchases directly through social media. These platforms don't just shape decisions; they complete the transaction while guests are still scrolling. Access Hospitality's 2025/26 search demand data shows "Instagrammable Christmas restaurant" searches rose 900% year on year in some cities, which means your social presence directly influences whether guests put you on their shortlist.
By sprinkling the spirit of Christmas across your business socials, you give online visitors insight and visibility on what to expect when they choose to visit you.
Show your audience what's going on behind the scenes with glimpses of your festive preparations: how the venue will be decorated, tasty food pictures and exclusive offers they could find. By showcasing your venue's Christmas cheer, you instantly show what guests can expect, setting you apart from the competition.
It's also a great way to connect with guests. Consider encouraging customers to share their positive experiences by running contests or challenges. This not only generates authentic content but also expands your brand's visibility. Get local influencers to promote your seasonal offerings, as their reach and credibility can significantly impact your bookings.
3. Unwrap irresistible festive packages
When you're looking to create seasonal offers, make sure you're catering to different preferences and budgets. From intimate family dinners to big corporate celebrations, it's important to make sure your offerings are diverse so there's something for everyone.
Access Hospitality's 2025/26 booking data gives a clear picture of what Christmas and NYE guests actually look like. The average Christmas group is 15.5 covers, so your packages need to work for larger parties as much as they do for smaller tables. Christmas Day itself skews smaller, averaging 3.8 covers per booking, with 3pm as the most popular sitting time —- which means intimate set menus and family-focused packages tend to outperform large-group offers on the day itself. For NYE, the average booking is 3.9 covers, similar to Christmas Day, so small-group packages and set menus are the right offer for both. And don't wind down your campaigns after Christmas Day: 61% of all NYE table bookings are made in the final four days of December.
Limited time offers are a great solution for venues looking to uplift their Christmas bookings quickly by generating a sense of urgency to give guests the incentive to book sooner rather than later. Consider offering 'early bird' discounts or exclusive perks for bookings to ensure your venue is busy for the seasonal period.
It's not just about bookings to make the Christmas period a success. You can also increase average spending on the day by offering add-on opportunities or advertising optional extras: festive decorations, live music and themed entertainment nights. These help maximise profit and increase upselling while giving your guests the most memorable Christmas experience.
4. Use guest reviews to build trust
It's a known fact that most people check reviews before booking into a venue, particularly when they're choosing somewhere to celebrate an occasion. This is why it's key to build trust with your customers and provide high-quality service every time. Spotlighting existing glowing reviews and positive testimonials on your website or social media is a great way to significantly influence guests' booking decisions.
If you need more reviews for your venue, why not offer small rewards or discounts to encourage previous guests to share their experiences? This shows future guests that you value their feedback, positive or negative, and helps to iron out any inefficiencies in service quickly.
As well as highlighting positive feedback, make sure you address both good and bad reviews promptly and professionally. This demonstrates your commitment to customer satisfaction and shows that you're always working to improve.
5. Build anticipation with a festive countdown
Christmas is a time of excitement, and an important period to focus on your brand campaigns. Consider implementing a countdown clock across your website and social media to generate anticipation amongst potential guests, as well as creating a sense of urgency to book in time for the festive season. Festive quizzes, polls or giveaways will also keep visitors immersed and connected with the latest announcements from your business.
Access Hospitality's 2025/26 booking data points to three dates worth building your campaign calendar around. Christmas Day bookings carry a 50-day average lead time, so early-bird campaigns need to be live by late October to catch the window. Monday 1 December is the single most popular day for guests creating bookings, so a targeted campaign landing in inboxes that morning can make a real difference. And Thursdays are the strongest-performing day for bookings across December, so if you're timing a campaign send or a social push, that's your window.
Make sure your content has a focus on the upcoming seasonal period. You could offer helpful tips for hosting the perfect Christmas party, how to plan a memorable family gathering, or share recipes for festive cocktails and appetisers. In doing this, you allow your audience to immerse themselves in the festivities interactively, which generates more bookings at your venue.
6. Your website is your window display
Personalised touches displayed on landing pages, such as remembering a regular's favourite drink or offering personalised discounts to returning customers, can go a long way in connecting with customers and boosting loyalty to your brand.
Ensure that your website is updated and optimised by October, so you're prepared for the rush of guests looking for the perfect Christmas experience. Showcase your festive photo gallery, key dates, unique Christmas offers and important contact information, so your guests are well-informed when making their bookings.
You can also explore our festive hub for practical tools and guides, including a website checklist to help you get everything in order before the rush.
7. Customer loyalty is key
While getting more Christmas bookings is important, customer loyalty is essential for long-term success. Building relationships with guests through your Christmas marketing campaigns ensures that they don't just visit your venue during the festive season but keep returning throughout the year.
Creating a loyalty programme is another great way to keep guests coming back. Whether it's a points-based system, birthday rewards, or exclusive access to seasonal events, you can encourage more direct bookings. Combining this with customer data through smart software solutions like Acteol Evo allows you to offer targeted rewards based on your guests' preferences and habits. Regular customers will feel valued when their loyalty is recognised, leading to positive reviews and repeat visits.
8. Be prepared in January
The operators who get the most from their festive marketing are the ones who plan January at the same time. Access Hospitality DMN booking data shows January guests are highly spontaneous: 36.8% book same-day, and the average lead time is just 3.2 days. That's not a problem if you've already built a re-engagement campaign into your festive CRM calendar. The guests who came in for Christmas lunch are your warmest January audience. Reach them in the first week of the new year, before the spontaneity window closes.
So, are you ready to boost your Christmas bookings?
Christmas fills fast for the venues that start early, use their data well and give guests a reason to choose them over the place down the road. The seven strategies above give you a practical starting point, from the social content that gets you on the shortlist to the loyalty programme that brings guests back in January.
Wireless Social and Acteol Evo are the tools that make the data side of this work; guest Wi-Fi that captures behaviour and a CRM that turns it into campaigns. Head to the Christmas hub for guides, templates, and everything else you need before the season starts.
