When should we book entertainment for a December party?

As soon as you have the date. December Fridays and Saturdays are the first dates people ask about each year, so the earlier you enquire, the more choice you have.

What works for a mixed crowd of staff and partners?

A night in stages. Background music while people arrive and eat, one thing to watch after dinner such as a comedian or a magician, then a band or a DJ for the people who want to dance.

Can the music be seasonal without taking over the night?

Yes. A few seasonal songs early in the evening is usually enough. Tell us how much you want and we pass it on.

Do you arrange New Year's Eve entertainment?

Yes. Tell us the venue, the guest count and whether there is a dinner before the dancing, and we will suggest a plan that carries the room through midnight.

Can you arrange music for a private holiday party at home?

Yes. At home or in a private room: a pianist, a small group, or carolers at the door.

Holiday entertainment in Calgary

Shaw Entertainment books entertainment for corporate Christmas and holiday parties, winter galas and New Year's Eve events in Calgary and across Canada. One company arranges the music, the host and the acts, and plans them around your evening.

A holiday gala ballroom seen from behind the band, with a full dance floor — A holiday gala, seen from the bandstand.

December fills up before anyone expects it to.

Every company in the city wants the same few Fridays and Saturdays, so the holiday party is the one to plan early.

Whether you call it a Christmas party, a holiday party or a winter gala, we plan it the same way: tell us the date, the room and who is coming.

Plan the night (403) 861-5958

A holiday show with Barry Shaw

Barry Shaw, our founder, performs holiday and New Year's Eve shows himself, and you can book him for a seasonal evening.

He comes from the team behind Barry Shaw Live and Unique Party Band. That team has spent 20+ years headlining Fairmont New Year's Eve galas, first at Banff Springs and now at Chateau Lake Louise.

His own site as a performer is barryshawlive.com.

Plan the night

Barry Shaw in a cream tuxedo and a red holiday robe, holding a microphone

Barry Shaw in a cream tuxedo and black bow tie, holding a microphone

What we would suggest

A starting point for this kind of event. These are suggestions, and your own plan is built around your programme.

Plan the night

What we would suggest

Holiday party

Cocktail hour: Solo Musicians & Small Groups
A jazz trio, with a few seasonal songs worked in.
Dinner: Singers & Vocalists
A vocalist, kept under the conversation.
The show: Comedians, Emcees & Speakers
A host for the thank-yous and the prizes, and a short comedy set.
Dance: Live Bands
A party band or a DJ, and a floor for everyone who wants one.

Suggestions only. Every event is planned on its own.

The season, party by party

Corporate holiday parties: The staff party of the year. Quiet music while people arrive, something to watch after dinner, then a party band or a DJ.
Winter galas: A formal evening with a programme: strings or jazz at the reception, a vocalist through dinner and a featured act.
New Year's Eve: The team behind Barry Shaw Live and Unique Party Band has spent 20+ years headlining Fairmont New Year's Eve galas, first at Banff Springs and now at Chateau Lake Louise. A countdown is familiar ground.
Private holiday parties: At home or in a private room: a pianist or a small group, or carolers at the door.

Entertainment that suits it

Planning notes

How far ahead: Earlier than for any other event. December Fridays and Saturdays are asked about first. A weeknight, or a date in January, gives you more choice.
What the venue needs to know: Load-in access, the stage and any sound limits. Hotels in December are often turning rooms over between events, so set-up windows are short.
A mixed room: Staff, partners and every age group. Tell us who is coming and we will plan a night that has something for each of them.

What affects the cost of Christmas and holiday party entertainment?

The date and the season, the size of the act, how long they play, any travel, and the sound and staging the room needs. Tell us the date and the venue and we will come back with a quote for your party.

Shaw Entertainment comes from the team behind Barry Shaw Live and Unique Party Band. See the rooms and companies that team has played for.

Questions people ask

When should we book entertainment for a December party?: As soon as you have the date. December Fridays and Saturdays are the first dates people ask about each year, so the earlier you enquire, the more choice you have.
Do you provide entertainment for a corporate Christmas party?: Yes. Whether you call it a Christmas party, a holiday party or a winter gala, we plan it the same way: tell us the date, the room and who is coming.
What works for a mixed crowd of staff and partners?: A night in stages. Background music while people arrive and eat, one thing to watch after dinner such as a comedian or a magician, then a band or a DJ for the people who want to dance.
Can the music be seasonal without taking over the night?: Yes. A few seasonal songs early in the evening is usually enough. Tell us how much you want and we pass it on.
Do you arrange New Year's Eve entertainment?: Yes. Tell us the venue, the guest count and whether there is a dinner before the dancing, and we will suggest a plan that carries the room through midnight.
Can you arrange music for a private holiday party at home?: Yes. At home or in a private room: a pianist, a small group, or carolers at the door.

Tell us about your night

Choose the occasion and what you are looking for. It takes a few minutes and gives us a proper brief to work from.

Plan the night (403) 861-5958