Published: 30 September 2026
Last update: 30 September 2026
6 Tips for Pre-Booking Your Salon for the Holiday Season
Marketing & Business Tips
Article summary:
Fall is here, which means the busiest season in beauty is right around the corner. Clients want to look their best for parties, family photos, and New Year's Eve, and your calendar will fill up fast. A solid pre-booking plan now will keep December organized, profitable, and much less stressful.
Here are six ways to pre-book your holiday season.
1. Make Online Booking Work for You 24/7
If you're not using online booking yet, now's the time to start. It lets clients book weeks in advance, day or night, and it keeps your calendar organized without a stream of calls and DMs.
That matters because many bookings happen after hours. Salon software company Phorest looked at bookings across more than 5,000 salons and spas and found that 46% happened while salons were closed. If clients can't book at 10 pm, they may book with someone who lets them.
Online booking also gives you time back during your busiest season. Before the rush, make sure these features are turned on:
Automated reminders by text and email to cut down on no-shows
Deposits or card-on-file for holiday appointments, so a late cancellation doesn't cost you a prime December slot
A waitlist, so openings from cancellations fill themselves
Booking links everywhere: your Instagram bio, your Instagram "Book" button, your TikTok profile and your Google Business Profile
2. Launch an Early Bird Promotion
An early bird offer gives clients a reason to book now instead of "later." That could be a small discount, a free add-on, or a bonus service for anyone who books their holiday appointment by a set date.
Pick a clear deadline and stick to it. For 2026, good options include:
October 31, to kick things off early
November 25, the day before Thanksgiving
December 1, as a last call
You can offer the early bird perk on any holiday booking, or build it into special holiday packages.
3. Create Holiday Specials
Build packages around your services, your clients, and what's trending this season. The early bird perk can end on your deadline, but your holiday packages can stay on your menu all season.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Hair stylist: A "Holiday Hair Bundle" with a cut, color, and a free blowout to use before a holiday event. Book by October 31 to get the free blowout.
Nail tech: A "Festive Fingers Package" with a mani, pedi, and holiday nail art. Lean into this season's trends, like chrome details, fine shimmer, and minimal 3D accents. Take 10% off when clients book by October 31.
Makeup artist: A "Holiday Glam Special" with a full application and complimentary strip lashes or a glitter accent. Clients get the free add-on when they book by November 25.
Colorist: A "Winter Glow Special" with a color refresh and a deep conditioning treatment for shiny holiday hair. Add a free gloss for appointments booked by November 30.
Esthetician: A "Holiday Glow Facial" with a deep-cleansing facial and a free dermaplaning or enzyme add-on for clients who book at least a month in advance.
Brow and lash pro: A "Merry and Bright Eyes Special" with brow shaping and lamination, plus a free lash tint for December appointments booked in October or November.
Keep an eye on your margins. The goal is to get people booking early without giving away your time or undercutting your value. Only offer what you can deliver during your busiest weeks.
Bonus idea: Sell gift cards alongside your specials. Black Friday (November 27) and Small Business Saturday (November 28) are good days to promote them. Gift cards bring in revenue now and fill your books in January, which is usually a slower month.
4. Announce Your Specials Early and Often
Timing matters. Start promoting holiday booking in October, so you know what's coming before the rush hits.
Share your specials everywhere you connect with clients:
Instagram posts, Stories and Reels
TikTok
Email
Text messages
Your Google Business Profile
In person at every appointment
Most people need to hear something a few times before they act, so plan a posting and messaging schedule and follow up more than once.
Canva makes it easy to create festive graphics in under 30 minutes. Start from a holiday template, add your offer, then use Canva's resize feature to turn one design into a feed post, a Story, an email header, and a printable sign.
The easiest promo of all: ask clients to book their holiday appointment before they leave your chair this fall.
5. Block Off Your Own Time
Before your calendar fills up, block off the days you want for yourself. Your booking platform can hold personal days and vacation time so you can actually celebrate with the people you love.
If you'd rather work straight through the holidays, put real time off on the calendar for January now. Having a getaway or your own spa day to look forward to makes the rush easier.
Either way, protect your energy. The holidays are prime time for burnout.
6. Set a Booking Deadline
A firm deadline is one of the best ways to manage the rush. Let clients know that anyone who wants an appointment before the new year needs to book by a set date. For 2026, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving (November 24) or December 1 are good options.
A deadline gives clients a reason to book early. It also cuts down on last-minute requests and sets a clear boundary, so you get fully booked and a calmer season.
Pre-booking helps you fill December and keep the season calmer. Start planning in October, share your offers early and set clear deadlines, and your holidays will be both profitable and manageable.
Start planning your holiday pre-booking now. The Sola Fam is here to support you every step of the way.
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