15 Christmas Party Hairstyles for a Festive Evening (2026 Guide)

There is a particular kind of panic that only December brings: the dress is hanging on the door, the earrings are laid out on the dresser, and your hair is doing absolutely nothing you asked it to do. You have tried the straightener twice, the curls have already dropped on one side, and the party starts in forty minutes.

These christmas party hairstyles are built for exactly that evening. Each one starts from hair you already have — long, medium, short, curly, or fine — and adds one festive touch: a velvet bow, a scatter of pearl pins, a ribbon, or a little glitter. Most take under twenty minutes, and every style below tells you how long it takes, who it flatters, and what to ask your stylist for if you would rather sit in the chair than wrestle with bobby pins at home.

Quick Answer

The easiest Christmas party hairstyles are half-up styles with a velvet bow, a low bun with sparkle pins, and soft waves with a ribbon. Pick your style by the room: a velvet-bow half-up for the office party, a low glitter bun for a formal dinner, and loose waves with a side braid for a relaxed family evening. Do the curls first, pin second, and add the accessory last so it sits exactly where you want it.

1. Half-Up Curly Ponytail with Velvet Bow

This is the one to choose when you want to look like you tried very hard and actually did not. Soft curls are gathered into a half-up ponytail at the crown, and a large burgundy velvet bow covers the elastic completely — the bow does all the festive work while the curls do the glamour.

It suits medium to long hair best, and it is especially kind to fine hair, because the curls add volume the bow then frames. Ask your stylist for “a half-up curly ponytail with a velvet bow, curls brushed out soft, not tight ringlets.” At home, curl the hair first, brush the curls out with your fingers, gather only the top half, and clip the bow over the elastic. If your hair is very fine, a little texturizing spray at the roots before you gather it helps the ponytail hold its height through the evening.

2. Starry-Night Low Bun with Glitter Pins

A sleek low bun is the most reliable party style there is, and a few glitter pins turn it into something made for December. The bun sits low at the nape, which shows off the neckline of a party dress, and the glitter catches the light every time you turn your head.

It works beautifully on straight or slightly wavy hair, medium to thick, and it keeps every strand out of your face for the whole evening — no re-pinning between courses. Ask for “a sleek low chignon with a few glitter pins scattered through it.” Use skin-safe glitter made for hair or skin, and keep it to the bun itself rather than the scalp. At home, smooth the hair back with a light-hold gel, twist it into a low bun, and push three or four glitter pins in at different angles so they catch the light from every side.

3. Pearl-Pinned Cascading Half-Up

If velvet bows feel too bold for you, pearls are the quieter way to be festive. A cascading twist runs down the centre of the head, pinned with small pearl pins, while the rest of the hair falls long and smooth. It reads elegant rather than costumey, which makes it a good choice for a work party or a formal family dinner.

It suits long hair best — the twist needs length to cascade — and it looks particularly good on blonde or light brown hair, where the pearls stand out against the colour. Ask your stylist for “a half-up cascading twist with pearl pins, the rest left long and smooth.” At home, twist two sections from the temples toward the centre, cross them over each other down the back, and push the pearl pins into the twists rather than the loose hair, so they stay put all evening.

4. Ribbon-Woven Holiday Braids

Two loose braids with a thin red ribbon woven through them are the most Christmas-ready look on this list, and they are also one of the most forgiving: the looser the braid, the better it looks. The ribbon adds the colour, the braid adds the texture, and the whole thing photographs beautifully.

It suits medium to thick hair with some natural wave, and it flatters oval and heart-shaped faces, where the braids frame the cheeks. Ask for “two loose braids with a red ribbon woven through, face-framing pieces left out.” At home, braid the ribbon in as if it were a third strand, pull the edges of each braid gently outward to make them look fuller, and tie the ends with a small piece of the same ribbon. This is a good choice for a long evening — braids tend to hold their shape better than curls as the night goes on.

5. Braided Waves with Decorative Beads

Two small braids on top, threaded with tiny gold and red beads, over soft waves — playful without being childish. The beads catch the light when you move, and because the braids are small, the style still reads grown-up.

It suits medium-length wavy hair, fine to medium density, and it frames round and heart-shaped faces nicely. Keep the beads small and the count low — five or six across both braids is enough. Ask your stylist for “two small accent braids with beads over soft waves.” At home, braid two thin sections near the crown, thread the beads on with a bobby pin as a needle, and crimp the ends of the braids so the beads do not slide off. One caution: beads can snag on knitwear, so check your scarf and collar before you leave.

6. Soft Beachy Waves with Velvet Bow

Long, soft waves with a deep burgundy velvet bow is the closest thing to a no-fail Christmas party look. The waves are relaxed, the bow is the only festive element, and the combination works with almost any dress — velvet, satin, or a simple black midi.

It suits long hair, fine to medium density, and oval or heart-shaped faces. Ask for “soft beachy waves with a velvet bow at the back, waves brushed out, not tight curls.” The colour pairing matters here: a burgundy or forest-green bow looks especially good with a rich winter shade, so if you have recently coloured your hair, this is a good moment to show it off — see our fall hair color ideas for shades that pair well with holiday accessories. At home, curl the hair in large sections, brush through with your fingers, and clip the bow where the waves start to fall.

7. Wavy Lob with a Red Holiday Clip

Short hair does not need a complicated style to be party-ready. A wavy lob — shoulder length, with soft movement — plus one bold red clip is enough. The clip is the whole decoration, so it should be a good one: a large barrette, a jewelled clip, or a red velvet bow clip.

It suits shoulder-length hair with a layered cut, and it flatters heart-shaped faces, where the waves soften the jawline. Ask your stylist for “soft waves through a lob, finished with a statement red clip on one side.” At home, wave the hair with a flat iron rather than a curling iron — it gives a softer, more modern bend — and clip one side back so the earring on that side shows. This is the fastest look on this list: about ten minutes once the waves are in.

8. Half-Up Twist with Festive Bow

A half-up twist with a big red velvet bow is the style for the woman who wants one clear festive statement and nothing else competing with it. The twist at the crown gives the style structure, the bow gives it the Christmas feeling, and the loose waves underneath keep it relaxed rather than stiff.

It suits medium-length wavy hair, fine to medium density, and it works on most face shapes because the twist lifts the crown and the face-framing strands soften the sides. One practical note: a large bow can feel heavy on very fine hair, so if your hair is fine, choose a smaller bow or pin the twist with two bobby pins crossed underneath the bow for extra hold. Ask for “a half-up twist with a velvet bow, soft waves underneath.” At home, twist the top section back, pin it, and place the bow directly over the pins so they disappear.

9. Textured Low Ponytail with Ribbon

A low ponytail sounds too simple for a party until you add texture and a ribbon. Soft waves through the length, a little volume at the crown, and a thin red ribbon tied around the base turn an everyday ponytail into something that belongs at a Christmas dinner.

It suits medium to thick hair best — the texture is what makes it look intentional — and it flatters oval and heart-shaped faces. At home, the order matters: add the texture first (waves or a little backcombing at the crown), gather the ponytail low, and tie the ribbon last, in a small bow. If your hair is fine, a volumizing mousse worked through damp hair before blow-drying helps the ponytail keep its shape. This is also a good choice if you are going straight from work to the party: it takes five minutes over a daytime blow-dry.

10. Half-Up Curls with Red Ribbon

Defined curls, half gathered up, with a red ribbon threaded through the top section — this is the warmest look on the list, and it suits a family Christmas evening better than a black-tie dinner. The curls give it softness, the ribbon gives it the season, and the half-up shape keeps the hair out of your face while you eat.

It suits medium-length curly or curled hair, medium to thick density, and most face shapes. If your hair is naturally straight, you will need curling time — budget twenty minutes for the curls alone — but if your hair is naturally curly, this is a ten-minute style: define the curls with a little cream, gather the top half, and weave the ribbon through the gathered section. Ask your stylist for “half-up curls with a red ribbon, curls defined, not brushed out.” A red dress with this style is a lot of red in one place, so pair it with a green or black dress instead and let the ribbon carry the colour.

11. Half-Up Waves with Pearl Accents

Layered waves, half gathered up, with pearl pins scattered along the twist — the same idea as the cascading pearl style, but looser and easier. Where the cascading twist is formal, this one is relaxed: the waves do the work, the pearls are just a sparkle on top.

It suits medium to thick hair with layers, and oval or heart-shaped faces. The trick is placement: scatter the pins unevenly — three on one side, two on the other — so it looks effortless rather than arranged. Ask for “half-up layered waves with pearl pins scattered through the twist.” At home, a texturizing spray through the waves gives the pins something to grip, which matters more than it sounds: smooth, freshly washed hair lets pins slide out over the evening, so this is one style that actually works better on day-old hair.

12. Loose Waves with a Side Braid

Long, loose waves with a single side braid running along the temple is the quietest look on this list, and sometimes that is the point. The braid keeps the hair off one side of your face — useful when you are eating, talking, and being photographed all evening — while the waves keep the whole thing soft.

It suits long hair, fine to medium density, and round or heart-shaped faces, where the braid draws the eye upward. If you love long hair but want it to look styled rather than just long, this is a good bridge: see our long hairstyles for women for more ways to wear length to an evening event. Ask for “loose waves with a side braid from the temple, braid blending into the waves.” At home, braid the side section loosely, pancake it gently (pull the edges out a little), and let the end disappear into the waves rather than tying it visibly. A light-hold spray helps in humid rooms, where waves tend to drop first.

13. Twisted Low Ponytail with Soft Waves

A twisted low ponytail is what you wear when you want to look polished but you have fifteen minutes. The twist at the base is the only technique in it — everything else is soft waves — and the twist is what makes it read as a party style rather than a ponytail you wore to the gym.

It suits medium to thick hair, and oval or heart-shaped faces. Ask for “a low ponytail with a twist wrapped at the base, soft waves through the length.” At home, gather the hair low, twist a small section from underneath around the base, and pin it under the ponytail so the elastic disappears. The waves matter here: without them the style looks flat, so if your hair is straight, take five minutes to add a loose wave to the ponytail length before you twist the base. This is a good choice for a second-day hairstyle — the texture of day-old hair holds a twist better than freshly washed hair.

14. Snowflake-Pinned Half-Up Twist

A single silver snowflake pin on a half-up twist is the most literal Christmas accessory on this list, and it works precisely because there is only one of it. The twist is simple, the waves are soft, and the snowflake is the single festive detail — it photographs beautifully and it is impossible to overdo.

It suits long wavy hair, medium to thick, and oval or heart-shaped faces. A little balayage or dimension in the hair helps here: the lighter pieces catch the light around the pin and make the whole style look more finished. Ask for “a half-up twist with a snowflake pin, soft waves, a little dimension through the lengths.” At home, place the pin just above the twist, not in the centre of it, so it sits flat and does not catch on your collar. This is the best choice on the list for a Christmas Eve service or a family photo, where you want festive without glitter.

15. Festive Wavy Bob with Velvet Bow

Short hair gets the same treatment as long hair: soft waves, one velvet bow, done. A wavy bob with a bold velvet bow is the most confident short-hair party look there is, because the bow is big and the hair is short — the proportions make the accessory the star.

It suits a bob or lob with natural wave, and it flatters oval and round faces, where the waves add width at the cheekbones. Ask for “soft waves through a bob with a velvet bow on one side.” At home, wave the hair with a flat iron for a soft bend, tuck one side behind the ear, and clip the bow above the ear on the tucked side — it frames the face and shows off an earring at the same time. This is the best short-hair option on the list, and it takes about ten minutes.

Christmas Party Styling Tips (Read This Before the Night)

Do the curls first, pin second, accessory last. Accessories placed early get buried under styling; placed last, they sit exactly where you want them and stay visible in photos.

Style on day-old hair when you can. Freshly washed hair is slippery — pins slide, twists loosen, and bows droop. If you must wash on the day, blow-dry with a little mousse and let the hair cool completely before you start pinning. For more on keeping hair healthy between washes, see our hair care tips for healthy hair.

Match the accessory to the dress, not to the hair. A burgundy bow with a green dress, a silver snowflake with navy, pearls with black — the accessory should talk to the outfit. Two festive elements are enough; three starts to look like a costume.

Time it backwards from the photos. The first photos usually happen in the first half hour. Finish your hair fifteen minutes before you leave, not an hour before — curls and twists settle in the first few minutes and then hold, while an hour of waiting lets them drop before anyone sees them.

Carry three things: two bobby pins, one extra hair tie, and the accessory’s spare pin if it has one. That is the whole emergency kit, and it fits in a clutch.

Book the trim a week before, not the day before. A fresh trim a week before the party lets the cut settle; a trim the day before can leave ends looking blunt in photos. December is the busiest month at most salons, so book early.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest Christmas party hairstyle?

A half-up style with a velvet bow. It takes under fifteen minutes, works on most lengths, and the bow does the festive work. Curl the hair first, gather the top half, and clip the bow over the elastic. If you have short hair, the wavy bob with a velvet bow is the same idea in a shorter version.

How do I make my Christmas party hairstyle last all night?

Start with texture — waves, a little backcombing, or texturizing spray — because smooth hair lets pins slide out. Pin twists and buns with two bobby pins crossed in an X, and finish with a light-hold spray rather than a heavy one, which can make hair stiff and then floppy. Carry two spare bobby pins in your bag.

Can I wear a Christmas party hairstyle with short hair?

Yes. A wavy bob with a velvet bow, a wavy lob with a red clip, or a sleek low bun if your hair reaches the nape all work well. The trick with short hair is one bold accessory rather than several small ones — a single large bow or a statement clip reads festive, while lots of small pins can get lost.

What hairstyle goes with a velvet dress?

A low bun or a twisted low ponytail, because the smooth lines of the updo balance the texture of velvet. If the dress is burgundy or green, use a silver or pearl accessory rather than a matching velvet bow, so the hair and the dress are not competing in the same texture. If the dress is black, a burgundy velvet bow is the perfect contrast.

Conclusion

A Christmas party hairstyle does not need to be complicated — it needs one festive idea, done well. Pick your style by the room you are walking into, give yourself the time it actually takes, and let one accessory do the talking. The curls will drop a little by midnight and the bow may need one re-pin, and none of that matters: the photos from the first hour are the ones you will keep.

Save this list on Pinterest before the party season starts, and try your style once before the night — ten minutes of practice at home is worth more than any tutorial watched twice.

Keep Exploring

• 15 Fall Hair Color Ideas for 2026 — rich autumn shades that pair beautifully with velvet bows and holiday accessories.
• 15 Velvet Hair Color Ideas for a Rich, Dimensional Look — velvet colour families for a winter refresh before the party season.
• 18 Gorgeous Long Hairstyles for Women (2026 Guide) — more ways to wear long hair to an evening event.