Christmas is a time for giving, so there’s no better time to organise a fundraising event and capitalise on people’s generosity.

If you’re stuck for ideas as to what to do, we’ve scoured Eventbrite to see what other fundraisers are up to this festive season. Check out the tried and trusted festive fundraising events below and put your own spin on them to make sure your organisation has a happy Christmas. For further fundraising ideas, head over to event industry forum EventTribe and join the discussion.

1. Christmas Fair

With thoughts soon turning to Christmas shopping, a Christmas fair selling crafts, bakes and quality second hand items can be a great way to attract the crowds. It’s also a great way to raise awareness of your organisation, by inviting the public into your premises and taking the opportunity to tell your story.

This is exactly what The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home will be doing next month. Their Christmas Bazaar will take place in their Worthing premises, allowing visitors to meet the disabled ex-Servicemen and women who live there.

Visitors will be able to visit Santa’s grotto, enjoy live entertainment, and browse a market selling Christmas gifts, food and crafts. Last year the event raised £2,800 and all money raised goes towards providing nursing and rehabilitation.

Photo by John Young Photography

2. Christmas Concert or Carol Service

Help people get in the festive spirit by staging a Christmas concert or carol service. Reach out to your volunteer and supporter base to find out who has a musical talent to share, or team up with your local music school.

If you can secure a suitably atmospheric location for your concert, all the better. Papworth Hospital Charity will take over the magnificent Ely Cathedral for its annual carol service on December 5.

As well as performances of festive favourites, the event will see Papworth staff, supporters and volunteers reading the Christmas story and lighting eight candles representing departments across Papworth Hospital.

Last year the event was a massive success, attracting hundreds of supporters and raising more than £5,400 for patient care.

 3. Toy/Food Appeal

If your charity supports people who may find Christmas a difficult time of year financially because they are unable to work or are on a low income, then a collection of gifts or food can prove a much appreciated initiative.

While you can provide collection points for people to drop off their donations, holding an event is a great way to give something back to the givers. It’s also an opportunity to engage with your supporters and ensure they are added to your mailing list.

Marketing and events agency Wonderful Communications organises a Christmas Toy Party, where guests can attend for free and enjoy complimentary drinks and mince pies, on the condition that they bring along a new, boxed toy.

The toys are then donated to the Royal Brompton Hospital’s Rose Ward, for children who will be spending Christmas in hospital.

This year the event is being held at Crown Plaza London Kensington, there’s also a networking party, which includes a business card raffle with the chance to win exciting donated prizes.

4. Christmas Quiz or Games

Injecting a bit of friendly rivalry into your festive activities and can help you boost attendance, especially if it’s between companies. Gamerbake’s gamer themed Christmas bake off is a brilliant example.

It invites bakers from across the games industry to bring along themed cakes for entry into a bake off competition. Meanwhile, those who are more at home on a console than a cooker can simply come and eat cake and mix and mingle with colleagues.

The event is free to attend, but raises funds and awareness for Special Effect, a charity that provides technology to enable people with physical disabilities to enjoy video games and leisure technology. 

5. Santa Run

Fun runs are an effective way to raise money at any time of year, but particularly at Christmas, when you can ask everyone to dress up as Santa Claus!

The Brain Tumour Charity organises a Santa Run in London’s Victoria Park that is a consistent sell-out success. More than 2,000 people don their red suits and white beards to run either 5 or 10 kilometres.

Entrants are asked to pay £22 to register and commit to raising at least £100 for the charity. According to the Brain Tumour Charity, there’s always a buzzing atmosphere with people of all ages and running abilities united through their fun fancy dress.

6. Christmas Auction

If you’re lucky enough to have a number of corporate sponsors who would be pleased to gift you with goods or services this Christmas, holding an auction night is a winning choice.

The public will jump at the chance to get their hands on some unique Christmas gifts, while your organisation will enjoy a quick and substantial cash boost. You can further incite generous bidding by holding the auction in aid of a specific project, just like the ladies from team Atlantic Endeavour.

They’re hoping to be the first women’s four sailing team to complete the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. They aim to break two world records whilst raising awareness and funding for the mental health charity Mind and Women for Women International.

To help raise funds for the necessary equipment and entry fees for the race they’re hosting a Christmas Auction and raffle this December on board the Battersea Barge. With prizes including sailing coaching, paragliding courses and polo lessons they should be setting sail in no time.

7. Christmas Ball or Awards Dinner

December is dark and cold, so give people something to look forward to with a posh black tie do. People love the chance to dress up in their finery (or best set of angel wings!).

The Angel Blush Ball encourages guests to come dressed in blush, white and gold, complete with a set of wings and a halo (with guests arriving in only gold body paint admitted free!).

The ball, to be held at The Lavender House Hotel in Devon, is in aid of two young people’s charities and promises a three-course dinner, drinks reception with naked butlers, dinner entertainment, a live band and DJ.

The event targets the corporate market with a ‘buy 10 get one free’ deal, but also offers discounted tickets for supporters and young people.

8. NYE Party

New Year’s Eve is the perfect excuse for a party, and people will be even more willing to part with their cash if it’s for a good cause. Round up a brilliant band, secure an attractive venue and lay on some food and get ready to party like it’s 1999!

Picking a theme is another good way to differentiate your event. A Night for Nepal, organised by supporters of Community Action Nepal, will have authentic Nepali cuisine served up by top Cumbrian chef John Crouch, in addition to a Nepalese market bazaar with a range of clothes, gifts and crafts direct from Kathmandu.

All funds from the NYE celebration, which also features live music and a quiz, will go to help rebuild Nepal after the devastating earthquake in April.

Conclusion

Christmas is a gift for fundraisers – don’t miss your chance to capitalise on the festive spirit and generate some good feeling (and great funding) for your organisation with a festive event.

For more fundraising event inspiration, check out these 15 Unique, Unusual and Fantastic Fundraising Event Ideas