How to Get the Best Holiday Deals on Tickets

The holiday season is one of the busiest times of year for live entertainment. Fans are buying gifts, planning end-of-year outings, and trying to squeeze in one last big concert or game before January. 

With demand rising across concerts, sports, theater, and special holiday events, ticket prices can move quickly. The good news is that you can still find great deals with the right timing and a few simple strategies. 

Whether you’re shopping for someone else or treating yourself, here’s how to get the best holiday prices on the shows you want to see.

Start Browsing Earlier Than You Think

The earlier you start tracking, the more leverage you have

Most people only start looking for tickets in December, which is when demand peaks. If you begin checking SeatGeek a few weeks earlier, you get a much clearer picture of baseline pricing, so you can easily notice dips and jumps.

Early browsing also helps you catch newly added shows. Artists like SZA, The Killers, Karol G, and Zach Bryan often introduce additional tour dates after the first round sells out, and early watchers get first access to wider seating options before prices start climbing.

New year-end sports matchups, especially NHL and NBA, also show clearer pricing trends in November than in mid-December when holiday buying accelerates.

Compare Dates and Venues

Small adjustments can lead to major savings

If an artist or team is performing in multiple cities, checking alternate locations can make a surprising difference. 

For example, a show at Denver’s Ball Arena might be more affordable than the same tour stop at San Francisco’s Chase Center. A concert at Moody Center Austin may cost less than a Los Angeles date at Kia Forum.

Even within the same city, checking alternate dates matters. A Thursday night show may come in far below the price of a Saturday performance. 

This pattern holds true across genres, from Megan Thee Stallion to Foo Fighters to Mitski, and across sports like the Detroit Pistons or Phoenix Suns.

SeatGeek’s “All Dates” view lets you compare every option on one screen so you can see which city or night offers the best value.

Use Deal Score for Smarter Shopping

It highlights value, not just the lowest number

Deal Score evaluates each listing across multiple factors, including price, view, seat quality, row, and historical trends. Then, it ranks the best overall values at a glance. This is incredibly useful during the holidays when prices swing more than usual.

A high Deal Score might highlight mid-level seats at T-Mobile Arena or upper-deck seats at Kaseya Center that offer great sightlines at far better value than comparable options. It’s the easiest way to avoid overpaying while still finding seats that feel right.

Refresh Prices Frequently

Holiday ticket pricing moves fast, and drops can happen anytime

During December, sellers adjust pricing more often than usual. 

This means checking periodically can reveal sudden dips, especially for:

• Artists wrapping up their final tour leg

• Games with shifting playoff stakes

• Holiday events like Mannheim Steamroller or Candlelight Concerts

For example, if the Vegas Golden Knights lose a few games or adjust their lineup before the holidays, buyers sometimes see temporary price drops. The same goes for concerts if an artist adds a second show or if supply briefly outpaces demand.

Checking SeatGeek over several days gives you a sense of the overall pattern, so you buy during the best window.

Compare Neighboring Sections

Seats just a few feet apart can vary a lot in price

One of the easiest savings hacks is comparing nearby sections rather than focusing on one specific row. At venues like Little Caesars Arena, Xfinity Mobile Center, or Paycom Center, prices can shift dramatically between sections that offer almost the same view.

This is especially true for hockey, where angles near the blue line may offer better visibility than center-ice seats at a fraction of the cost. For concerts, a slight shift to the side of the stage can reduce the price without sacrificing the experience.

SeatGeek’s interactive seating chart helps you jump around the map quickly and see where the real savings are hiding.

Shop Before the Holiday Rush

Prices tend to peak in early and mid-December

If possible, aim to purchase before the dense holiday rush begins. Late November and the first few days of December often provide more stable pricing than the rest of the month.

This pattern appears across:

• Holiday music tours

• NBA and NHL tickets

• Touring Broadway shows like Wicked or The Lion King

• Family events like Disney on Ice

Once mid-December hits, competition rises sharply as more people begin shopping for gifts or planning holiday outings.

Consider Weekday Shows and Games

You can save just by choosing a different day

Weekend events almost always command higher prices because demand is strongest on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Choosing a Tuesday or Wednesday night performance can significantly lower costs.

For example:

• A midweek Florida Panthers game often prices lower than a Saturday matchup

• A Wednesday night Chris Stapleton show may cost less than a Sunday performance

• Comedy tours, especially big names like Jo Koy or Ali Wong, have similar weekday discounts

Weeknight tickets are one of the simplest ways to score a deal without sacrificing the event quality.

Stay Aware of New Announcements

More shows = more inventory = more opportunities

As the year winds down, artists and teams frequently announce:

• Extra tour dates

• Additional holiday performances

• Rescheduled games

• Special year-end concerts

These new additions sometimes come with more balanced initial pricing compared to older shows already selling at peak demand. 

Venues like Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Lenovo Center, and Benchmark International Arena often release new dates close to the holidays.

Following artist and team announcements gives you first access before broader demand kicks in.

Why SeatGeek Helps You Find the Best Deals

SeatGeek’s platform is built to help holiday ticket shoppers compare smartly and buy confidently.

• Interactive Seat Maps: See each venue visually, click around each section, and preview your exact view before you buy.

• Deal Score: Quickly identify the best values across concerts, games, comedy, theater, and holiday events.

• No Hidden Fees: The price you see is the final price. This makes budgeting during the holidays much easier.

• Buy With Confidence: SeatGeek’s Buyer Guarantee ensures your tickets are valid and delivered on time.

Find Great Holiday Ticket Deals Today

With a little planning and the right tools, scoring holiday ticket deals becomes surprisingly easy. Start early, compare locations and dates, keep an eye on market shifts, and use Deal Score to spot the strongest offers.

Browse upcoming events on SeatGeek and find the best holiday ticket deals today.