Five Great Uses for a Marquee at Christmas

Christmas is a season of togetherness, celebration, and—let’s be honest—a fair bit of creative problem-solving to keep everyone comfortable and happy. From hosting large family gatherings at home to making business premises welcoming in the winter chill, a marquee at Christmas can be an invaluable addition. Whether you're looking to expand your hosting space or keep guests warm and dry, a marquee is the ideal temporary solution.

Here are five top ways to use a marquee this holiday season, and why it might just be the answer to your Christmas setup.

1. Extend Your Home for Christmas Gatherings

If your guest list is outgrowing your living room, why not create a warm, festive extension with a Christmas party tent? Adding a marquee to the back garden instantly expands your hosting space, providing a cosy retreat for family and friends. Decorate with fairy lights, hang mistletoe, and set up heaters to create a welcoming space that feels just as festive as your home’s interior.

A marquee offers flexible space: you can set it up as a seated dining area, a casual breakout space, or even a dedicated area for Christmas games and activities. And, unlike a permanent home extension, you can take it down after the holidays, keeping your garden clear for the new year.

Recommended setup: Our Elite PVC marquees offer a stable, weather-resistant option to keep your guests comfortable, whatever the forecast.

2. Outdoor Shelter for Church Events

Many churches experience an increase in attendance for Christmas masses, carol services, and festive gatherings. Adding a marquee in the church grounds can provide additional sheltered space, creating room for larger groups without compromising comfort. Temporary Christmas shelters allow churches to accommodate the growing festive crowd while ensuring everyone has a warm, dry place to gather.

A marquee can also serve as a welcoming station, offering refreshments or displaying festive décor. If the church offers activities for children or a nativity play, the marquee can create a designated space for these, adding to the joyful atmosphere.

Recommended setup: Choose a durable, weatherproof marquee like our Original PE or Elite PVC, which provides shelter and comfort in any winter weather conditions.

3. Winter-Proof Your Pub’s Beer Garden

Pubs and bars can make the most of their outdoor spaces during winter by adding a marquee over the beer garden, transforming it into a comfortable festive area. Patrons appreciate the opportunity to gather outdoors, especially in the winter months when indoor spaces can feel packed. Adding a heated Christmas party tent over the beer garden ensures that guests can enjoy the fresh air while staying warm and comfortable as they celebrate.

Decorate the marquee with Christmas lights and heaters, add some blankets, and create a festive haven for customers to enjoy their food and drink. This setup allows you to increase your seating capacity without compromising on comfort—a winning solution for pubs and bars during the busy holiday season.

Recommended setup: For high-traffic, heavy-duty use, a sturdy marquee from the Elite PVC range provides reliable, all-weather cover that’s as festive as it is functional.

4. Beer Tents for Christmas Markets

Christmas markets are bustling with food stalls, craft vendors, and festive cheer, and a marquee can play an essential role in creating a memorable market experience. Use a marquee as a beer tent to keep patrons warm and shielded from winter’s chill. These temporary shelters are ideal for serving hot mulled wine, festive ales, or warming hot chocolate, giving visitors a place to pause, socialise, and take in the holiday atmosphere.

As a trader, a marquee helps you stand out, offering a stable, sheltered area to serve your products while ensuring customers have a comfortable place to gather. It’s a winning setup that enhances the festive market vibe and attracts guests who want to enjoy their drinks and snacks without braving the cold.

Recommended setup: A marquee from our MQ-65 Printed range, available with custom branding, gives you the chance to showcase your brand with a professional, festive flair that’s perfect for busy Christmas markets.

5. A Unique Venue for Community Events

For communities hosting tree lightings, holiday fairs, or end-of-year celebrations, a marquee offers an affordable and versatile venue option. Setting up a marquee in the town square, a local park, or community center allows you to create a unique, pop-up event space where locals can gather, rain or shine. From hosting festive craft fairs to creating a sheltered seating area for community meals, a marquee adds flexibility to public gatherings.

If your community event includes activities like festive crafts, live music, or even a small holiday play, a marquee provides ample space and a cosy atmosphere. Plus, you can easily decorate it to match the Christmas spirit with lights, garlands, and a beautiful festive interior.

Recommended setup: A Fusion modular marquee allows you to create a larger, open-plan space, ideal for accommodating groups, performances, and a range of community activities.

Bring Christmas to Life with a Festive Marquee

Adding a marquee to your Christmas setup is a great way to enhance the festive atmosphere, bring people together, and keep everyone warm and happy. From expanding your home to winter-proofing your business, a Christmas marquee offers endless possibilities for the holiday season.

Check out our range of high quality marquees to find the perfect size and style for your holiday needs. With easy setup, durability, and designs to suit any occasion, our marquees bring comfort and style to your Christmas celebrations—wherever you may need them.

Our friendly team of experts are on hand by telephone on 01709 242454, by live chat via the button below, or why not request a call back and we'll be in touch to help you find the right tent for your application now.