The holiday season is one of the busiest and most profitable times of year for Family Entertainment Centers (FECs), indoor playgrounds, play cafés, and activity venues. Between company parties, school breaks, holiday events, and families looking for fun indoor activities, your facility has an incredible opportunity to increase revenue and create memorable guest experiences.
The challenge? Success during the holidays doesn't happen by accident.
The most successful operators begin holiday planning for family entertainment centers well before the rush begins. From staffing and maintenance to marketing and online booking, every operational detail contributes to a smoother, more profitable season.
Whether you're preparing for your first holiday season or looking to improve on last year's performance, these six strategies will help your facility stay organized, maximize bookings, and deliver an outstanding guest experience.
Nothing puts a damper on holiday fun like an attraction going offline during your busiest weekend of the year.
Before guest traffic increases, schedule a complete inspection of your facility. Preventative maintenance is significantly less expensive than emergency repairs during peak season.
Consider checking:
If you're planning special holiday events, verify your capacity and traffic flow so guests can move comfortably throughout the facility. Schedule maintenance several weeks before your holiday events begin so replacement parts or repairs won't delay operations.
Holiday decorations aren't just festive, they're marketing.
Families love taking photos during holiday outings, and those photos often end up on social media, giving your business free exposure.
Consider adding:
Think beyond Christmas, too. Decorating in a way that reflects your local community helps create a welcoming experience for more guests.
You can also involve your team by hosting an after-hours decorating party. It's a fun morale booster that gets everyone excited for the busy season ahead.
The holidays are a busy time for everyone, especially for those in the entertainment industry.
If you plan on having a "Meet and Greet with Santa" event at your facility, you need to make sure you book Santa early!
He's a busy guy, after all.
A quick Google search should yield results of reputable "Santas" in the area with instructions on how you can book them for events.
Make sure to book your entertainment as soon as possible, especially if you're in a location where options may be limited. Whether you're looking for a band to rock your holiday party, Santa and his elves to spread some cheer, or a skilled crew to tackle those hard-to-reach decorating spots (like the roof or ceiling), it's crucial to secure their services well in advance. Don't wait until the last minute!
If possible, book them this year for the following holiday. You'll both be happy you already have dates secured and one less event to worry about.
The festive fall and winter months mean more of everything. More parties mean more people and more people mean more supplies.
Take a look at all the parties you have on the books for the holiday season. This includes anything in January! With all of the extra events you'll be hosting, you're likely to forget to order what you need to get through the first couple weeks of the new year before it's too late.
Make a list of everything you'll need for each event and document it using your resource management software. If possible, place one large order for everything you need, plus a little extra in case of emergencies. It'll be easier to track and organize what you've purchased with one large order, rather than ordering your supplies in multiple small shipments.
Your current staff is likely more than capable of managing the holiday rush at your facility, especially if they've been part of your team for multiple seasons.
The real question is, however, do you have enough staff?
Consider hosting a job fair at your facility to hire extra short-term staff. You'll be well-equipped to provide your guests, especially those paying a premium for private events with a more enjoyable and memorable experience. Plus, the new employees you hire will be glad to have some extra money in their pockets during the season of giving.
Since you'll have new employees on board, it's a great time to host a training course on how to operate different areas of your FEC. Not only will you be able to effectively train the new people you have on board, but it's also a perfect time to give your veteran staff a refresher course!
You'll be able to address any current issues and set expectations with everyone present, as well as motivate them to work hard and enjoy the exciting time ahead.
The holiday season will no doubt bring more customers and increased revenue to your family entertainment center. Wouldn't you like to continue that momentum into the new year?
As mentioned before, try to book next year's holiday entertainment as soon as possible, even if it's right after they've fulfilled their commitment to you this year.
Additionally, if you've heeded our advice in regard to inventory, you're already on track to being well-prepared for your New Year's events around the corner.
While you may not have as many events at your facility throughout the rest of the year as you will during the holidays, it's important to keep a log of all important information.
Keeping a history of how many supply items you needed, the number of staff you employed, as well as the increased revenue you received, are all important things to keep track of. This way, preparing for future events will take less time and thought operationally, so you can focus on what's most important: your guests.
We'd love to hear your thoughts. What do you think of this post? Do you have any questions? We'd love to hear them!
Are you the owner of a brand new facility currently working on your party packages and pricing?
Are you a veteran of the industry looking to switch things up to earn more revenue?