Holiday outfits get so much attention, but the hair can completely change the final look.
You can wear the simplest black dress and suddenly a velvet bow makes everything feel festive.
Or add gold pins.
Or pearls.
Or, if you’re feeling particularly committed to holiday sparkle, actual tinsel in your hair.
I love that festive hairstyles can go anywhere from polished buns to giant curls and slightly messy updos depending on what you’re wearing and where you’re going.
So whether you have a family dinner, office party, Christmas photos or somewhere much fancier to be, these holiday hairstyles should give you plenty of inspiration.
20 Holiday Hairstyles For Parties, Dinners, And All Your Festive Photos
1. Sleek Low Bun With Gold Pins
A low bun is already elegant, but gold pins make it feel much more festive.
Keep the hair smooth and place a few metallic pins around the bun.
Simple and done.
2. Old Hollywood Waves
There is a reason this hairstyle keeps coming back for evening events.
Deep sculpted waves paired with red lipstick basically create instant old-school glamour.
I would keep one side slightly tucked back so the shape of the waves really shows in pictures.
3. Braided Crown With Evergreen Sprigs
Now this is VERY holiday.
Wrap a braid around the head and weave tiny pieces of greenery through it.
The finished look is romantic, wintery and definitely more interesting than a regular braid.
Perfect if your holiday style leans a little whimsical.
4. Curly Half-Up Style With a Velvet Ribbon
If you have curls, don’t hide all that volume in an updo.
Pull only the top section back and secure it with a velvet bow.
The ribbon adds the festive part while the curls stay free.
5. Tinsel Ponytail
Holiday tinsel belongs in more than just the Christmas tree apparently.
Thread silver strands through a high ponytail and let them catch the light.
This one is playful and definitely not pretending to be subtle.
6. Tousled Updo With Pearl Pins
A slightly messy updo with pearls is one of my favorite combinations.
The undone texture stops everything from looking too formal while the pearl pins still make it special.
You don’t need every hair perfectly in place.
Actually, I think a few loose pieces make it better.
7. Sleek High Ponytail With a Jeweled Cuff
If you’re wearing your hair up, make the hair tie part of the look.
A sparkling cuff around a high ponytail gives it that party finish immediately.
Keep the rest super sleek.
8. Fishtail Braid Over One Shoulder
A loose fishtail braid is perfect for a smaller family dinner where a full glamorous updo might feel like a lot.
Bring it over one shoulder and loosen a few pieces around the face.
Cozy sweater absolutely welcome.
9. Voluminous Blowout
Sometimes you just want BIG hair and holiday season understands.
Go for a bouncy blowout with lots of movement and face-framing layers.
It looks especially good with sequins or a fitted evening outfit.
And yes, this style deserves several pictures before the volume starts doing whatever it wants later in the night.
10. Space Buns With Metallic Scrunchies
Want something fun instead of elegant?
Try two space buns with silver metallic scrunchies.
They’re playful, easy to see in photos and perfect for a less serious holiday party.
11. French Twist With a Crystal Barrette
A French twist already has that polished feel.
Add one oversized crystal barrette and suddenly it looks ready for a holiday dinner instead of the office.
12. Bedazzled Headband With Soft Waves
This is probably the easiest hairstyle on the list.
Curl or wave your hair softly, then add a rhinestone headband.
That’s it.
The accessory handles the festive part while you barely have to change your normal hairstyle.
13. Halo Braid With Red Berries
A twisted halo braid with tiny red berry details looks like something from a holiday fairytale.
Keep the berries small so they don’t overpower the braid.
This would be beautiful with a simple dress and soft makeup.
14. Polished Bob With a Deep Side Part
Short hair does not need twelve accessories to look festive.
A sleek bob with a dramatic side part and glossy finish is enough.
Pair it with red lipstick if you want a little extra.
15. Textured Top Knot With Wispy Pieces
Top knots don’t have to look like gym hair.
Give the bun some texture and pull out a few soft pieces around the face.
It feels relaxed but still done.
This is especially good when you’re wearing statement earrings and don’t want the hair covering them.
16. Braided Updo With Pink Ribbon
Pink ribbon woven through a braid is such a pretty holiday detail.
Use it in an intricate updo if you want something more dramatic.
The metallic thread catches the light without needing glitter all over your actual hair.
17. Natural Puff With Rhinestone Edges
A natural puff is already beautiful on its own.
For holiday season, add a little sparkle along the styled edges.
You get the festive effect without changing your texture or hiding the shape.
Very cute for parties and photos.
18. Loose Updo With Snowflake Pins
Snowflake accessories could easily become too much, so keep them delicate.
Scatter a few silver pins through a loose romantic updo.
The result feels wintery without looking like you attached Christmas decorations to your head.
19. Crimped Hair With Tinsel Highlights
If you’re ready to lean into the fun side of holiday hair, bring back crimping.
The texture already gives you lots of volume.
Add a few holographic tinsel pieces and the whole look becomes a little 90s and a lot festive.
Definitely one for a party rather than a quiet dinner with the grandparents, unless your grandparents are very cool.
20. Low Chignon With a Velvet Bow
A low chignon with an oversized burgundy velvet bow feels like the perfect way to finish this list.
The bun keeps things classic while the bow gives it that unmistakable holiday feel.
It’s elegant from the front and even prettier from the back.
Which means somebody needs to get the photo angle right.
Conclusion
Holiday hairstyles don’t always need to be complicated.
Sometimes all your usual bun needs is a velvet ribbon.
Your regular waves might only need a jeweled headband, and that ponytail can become party hair with one sparkling cuff.
Then, of course, there are the days when gold ribbon, berries and hair tinsel are completely justified.
It’s the holidays.
A little extra hair decoration is basically part of the dress code.
