Holiday entertainers warn planners to book early

Randy Keith of Premier Dueling Pianos says summer is the best time for organizations and private hosts to lock in holiday entertainment before prime dates fill up. The advice matters because top performers, venues and event pros are often committed well before Halloween. Why it matters: - Holiday event calendars fill fast, and the best entertainment options can disappear before peak season. - Early booking gives planners more choice on performers, experiences and event format. - For guests, entertainment often becomes the most memorable part of the night, which raises its importance in the planning process. What happened: - Randy Keith, owner of Premier Dueling Pianos, is urging event planners to start holiday entertainment discussions in summer. - Keith says many first-time organizers wait until September to begin planning, while more organized groups start months earlier. - He says Christmas in July can serve as a practical reminder that holiday planning season has already begun. The details: - Keith says prime weekends between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve are limited. - He says sought-after entertainers, venues and event professionals are often booked long before the holidays arrive. - Keith says the best opportunities are often gone before Halloween. - Summer planning usually gives organizations access to the widest selection of entertainment options. - Keith says entertainment is often the first thing guests remember and one of the last things many people book. - Venue selection, catering, décor and logistics still matter, but Keith says entertainment often becomes the emotional centerpiece of the event. - Keith points to active-adult communities as an example of effective early planning. - Before moving to Orlando, Keith spent nearly a decade working with similar communities in Arizona. - He says successful activities directors in Florida and Arizona often build entertainment calendars well in advance. - Corporate planners face added pressures from budgets, travel schedules and year-end deadlines, but Keith says the same lesson applies: earlier decisions make execution easier. Between the lines: - The message is not just about timing. It is also about control over the guest experience. - Keith says guests increasingly prefer entertainment that invites participation, such as singing, interacting and sharing moments together. - That trend makes entertainment less of an add-on and more of a core part of the event design. What’s next: - Planners who want popular holiday performers will likely need to book during the summer to secure their preferred dates. - Keith says starting the conversation early makes it easier to build the event planners actually envision. - The company expects demand for interactive, experience-driven entertainment to remain strong through the holiday season. The bottom line: - For holiday parties, the best entertainment is often won months before the first invitation goes out.