Holiday Restaurant Marketing: The 10-Day Window That Makes or Breaks Your Season
- Daniel Marion
- Nov 20, 2025
- 5 min read
Let me tell you about a restaurant that missed Christmas.
Not literally—they were open, fully staffed, ready to go. But they missed the marketing window.
By the time they posted about their holiday menu and private dining options, it was December 18th. Most companies had already booked their holiday parties. Most families had already made their Christmas Eve reservations. Most people had already decided where they were celebrating.
The restaurant was ready. But their customers didn't know it. And in the restaurant business, if people don't know about it, it doesn't exist.
👉 Here's the truth about holiday restaurant marketing: you have about 10 days to capture the attention, bookings, and revenue that will carry you through the slow months ahead.
Miss that window, and you're watching your competitors fill their dining rooms while yours sits half-empty.
So let's talk about how to make sure that doesn't happen to you.
Welcome to Dan's World.
Why the Holiday Window is So Short
Here's what most restaurant owners don't realize: people make their holiday dining decisions early.
Company holiday parties? Booked in early November, sometimes late October.
Family Christmas Eve dinner? Reservations start going out mid-November.
New Year's Eve celebrations? People are locking in plans by Thanksgiving.
By the time December actually arrives, most of the big bookings are already done.
That means your marketing window isn't December. It's late October through mid-November.
And if you're not actively promoting your holiday offerings during that window, you're already behind.
The 10-Day Marketing Sprint
So what does effective holiday restaurant marketing actually look like?
It's not one post. It's not a flyer on the door. It's a coordinated sprint that hits your audience multiple times, across multiple channels, with a clear, compelling message.
Here's the playbook:
📢 Days 1-3: Announce Your Holiday Offerings
What to do:
Post about your holiday menu, private dining options, catering packages, gift cards
Use video to showcase your space decorated for the holidays
Highlight what makes your restaurant the right choice for celebrations
Where to post:
Instagram, Facebook, your website homepage
Email your existing customer list
Update your Google Business Profile
What to say:
"The holidays are coming, and we're ready to help you celebrate. Whether it's a company party, a family dinner, or a special night out, we've got you covered. Here's what's new this season..."
Why it works: You're planting the seed early. Even if people aren't ready to book yet, you're on their radar.
👀 Days 4-6: Show, Don't Just Tell
What to do:
Share video of your signature holiday dishes being prepared
Post photos of your space set up for a private event
Feature testimonials from past holiday guests
Where to post:
Instagram Reels, Facebook video, Stories
Your website (embed video on your holiday landing page)
What to say:
"This is what holiday magic looks like at [Restaurant Name]. From our [signature dish] to our cozy, festive atmosphere, we're ready to make your celebration unforgettable."
Why it works: People need to see it. A menu description is fine. A video of the food, the ambiance, the experience? That's what gets them to pick up the phone.
🚨 Days 7-8: Create Urgency
What to do:
Announce limited availability for key dates (Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve)
Offer early-bird incentives (book by X date, get a free appetizer or dessert)
Remind people that the best dates fill up fast
Where to post:
Email, social media, website banner
What to say:
"Our Christmas Eve reservations are filling up fast. Don't miss out—book your table today and make this holiday one to remember."
Why it works: Urgency drives action. People procrastinate until they realize they might miss out.
🤙 Days 9-10: Last Call
What to do:
Final push for remaining availability
Highlight gift cards as last-minute gifts
Promote New Year's Eve if you still have openings
Where to post:
Social media, email, in-person signage
What to say:
"Last chance! We still have a few tables left for [date]. Plus, gift cards make the perfect stocking stuffer for the foodie in your life."
Why it works: This is your final opportunity to capture late bookers and gift card buyers before the window closes.
The Content That Actually Converts
Let's get specific about what kind of content works during the holiday push.
Video of Your Holiday Menu
Show the food. Close-ups. Steam rising. Sauces drizzling. Make people crave it.
Why it works: People eat with their eyes first. A great menu video triggers an emotional response: "I need that."
Ambiance and Atmosphere Video
Show your space decorated for the holidays. Twinkling lights. Cozy tables. Happy guests enjoying themselves.
Why it works: People aren't just booking a meal—they're booking an experience. Show them what that experience feels like.
Behind-the-Scenes Prep
Show your team getting ready. The chef prepping the special menu. The staff decorating. The care that goes into making the holidays special.
Why it works: It humanizes your restaurant. People want to support businesses that clearly care about what they do.
Customer Testimonials
"We've been coming here for Christmas Eve dinner for five years. It's become a family tradition."
Why it works: Social proof. If other people love it, new customers will trust it.
Gift Card Promos
Simple, clear messaging: "The perfect gift for the foodie in your life. Available online or in-store."
Why it works: Last-minute shoppers are desperate for good gift ideas. Make it easy for them.
Where Most Restaurants Go Wrong
Let's talk about the mistakes I see all the time:
Waiting Until December to Promote
By December, most bookings are already made. You needed to start in late October or early November.
One Post and Done
One Instagram post isn't enough. People need to see your message multiple times before they take action.
👉 The rule: If you're not sick of saying it, your audience hasn't heard it yet.
No Clear Call to Action
❌ "We're excited for the holidays!" is not a call to action.
✅ "Book your Christmas Eve table now—call us at [number] or reserve online at [link]" is.
Tell people exactly what to do next.
Ignoring Video
Static photos are fine. Video is better. Video gets more engagement, more shares, more bookings.
If you're not using video during your holiday push, you're leaving money on the table.
The ROI of Getting This Right
Here's what happens when you nail your holiday marketing:
Your prime dates fill up early - no scrambling to fill tables at the last minute
You capture high-value bookings - private parties, large groups, repeat customers
You build momentum - a busy holiday season creates buzz that carries into January
You sell more gift cards - which means guaranteed revenue in the slow months
You create traditions - customers who come once for the holidays often come back every year
The restaurants that thrive during the holidays aren't the ones with the fanciest menus. They're the ones that marketed early, marketed often, and made it easy for customers to say yes.
Your 10-Day Action Plan
If you're reading this and thinking, "I need to do this now," here's your checklist:
✅ Day 1: Announce your holiday offerings (menu, private dining, catering, gift cards)
✅ Day 2-3: Post video showcasing your food and ambiance
✅ Day 4-5: Share behind-the-scenes prep and customer testimonials
✅ Day 6-7: Create urgency (limited availability, early-bird offers)
✅ Day 8-9: Email your customer list with a direct call to action
✅ Day 10: Final push—last chance messaging
👍 Bonus: Keep promoting gift cards through December 23rd for last-minute shoppers.
Don't Miss the Window
The holiday season is your chance to fill your restaurant, build your reputation, and set yourself up for a strong start to the new year.
But it only works if people know about it. And they only know about it if you tell them—early, often, and with content that makes them feel something.
You've got 10 days to make it happen. Don't waste them.
Ready to create holiday marketing content that actually fills tables? Let's talk about what that looks like for your restaurant.
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