Marketing Your Holiday Event on Social Media

If you’re planning a holiday event, this is the most wonderful (and busiest) time of the year! Event season is officially in full swing, with everything from fund-raisers and community markets to corporate parties and cozy staff gatherings. The event itself is only one part of the equation. Online promotion can make a big difference for your event, especially if there are ticket sales or time slots to choose from. Social media marketing can spread awareness about your event, build up excitement about going, drive attendance and keep your audience engaged before, during, and long after your big event.

How to develop a social media strategy for your holiday event that shines:

1. Start Early (and Build Anticipation Like a Countdown to Christmas)

Don’t wait until the week before your event to post. By then, people’s calendars (and budgets) are already packed. The secret to event success? At least four to six weeks in advance, get started. Make use of this time to tease, hint, and pique interest: Share sneak peeks of the venue, décor, or behind-the-scenes prep.

Create a countdown or Story series revealing event details piece by piece.
In the lead up to the big day, post about your vendors, performers, or menu items. It’s not just about telling people about your event. Tell a story that digs in and gives everyone FOMO about missing it!

2. Create a Hashtag for the Event

Events greatly benefit from hashtags. They organize your content and make it easy for your audience to join in the conversation about it.
Choose a short, catchy, and memorable tag that fits your theme. Think of hashtags like “HalifaxHolidayMarket,” “FestiveFeast2025,” and “CheersToTheSeason.” Encourage attendees, vendors, and sponsors to use it too. You’ll create an online “album” of memories that lives long after the event.

3. Use Reels & Short Videos to Spark Excitement

Reels are like ornaments when it comes to your marketing strategy. You can’t really have too many of them because they draw attention to themselves! There are lots of things you can post for your event, but here are a few to try:

10-second clips of venue setup

Performers practicing A sneak peek of your holiday menu
Ticket close-up videos featuring popular sounds. Keep in mind that video doesn’t have to be perfect. People want to see behind-the-scenes content!

4. Introduce the People Behind the Magic

People connect with people, not just events. With mini-spotlight posts, introduce your team, vendors, or entertainment. This may appear like: Feature a performer or emcee with a fun “meet the talent” post.
Using a graphic as your thank-you, highlight your sponsors. Share a product from a vendor or a favorite holiday dish from a caterer. This not only gives your event a personal and community-driven feel, but it also encourages sharing again, which broadens your audience.

5. Utilize Event-Day Content in Real-Time

Even if they are unable to attend in person, your audience wants to feel like they are a part of the celebration on the big day. Setup, arrivals, and key moments should be captured in stories and reels. Go Live for entertainment, toasts, or speeches. Encourage guests to tag your account and use your hashtag.

The objective is to capture content for future repurposing and give your event an online presence.

6. Keep the Momentum Going After the Event

The event might be over, but your marketing doesn’t stop there. Use your post-event content to thank attendees, highlight special moments, and nurture your relationships with your audience.

Some of the posts you won’t want to miss are as follows: Upload a video of the event’s highlights, including your best shots. Tag guests, sponsors, and vendors in a “Thank You” post. Create a Facebook or Instagram photo album for easy resharing.

This not only keeps your brand visible, but it also sets the stage for next year’s event.

7. Work together for maximum impact

Collaboration thrives best over the holidays. Work with local creators, influencers, or community pages whose work fits the theme of your event. Tip: Even a few tagged mentions or shared Stories can double your reach and boost ticket sales at a crucial time for your event.