Top Christmas fundraiser ideas

Give back to a great cause this festive season by holding an event for charity. From carol concerts to yuletide quizzes, here are Teenage Cancer Trust’s favourite Christmas fundraiser ideas.

Carol concert

Bring joy to the world (or your audience, at least) with a carol concert. It’s a great Christmas fundraiser idea for schools and communities, and it gives everyone the chance to get involved. Ticket the event or sell song sheets on the night to those who want to sing along. Selling mince pies and other festive treats will also boost funds.

Santa run

A fun run with a festive twist. Invite people to get sponsorship to race in Christmas fancy dress and watch the pounds roll in for charity. You don’t have to wear a Santa suit; you could make it a ‘reindeer run’ or open it up to any kind of festive fancy dress.

Christmas quiz

Think you know your lords a-leaping from your maids a-milking? Put it to the test with a Christmas quiz. Find a venue to host the event or hold it online, asking everyone to pay an entry fee.

Christmas fundraising tips and resources

Charity pantomime

It’s one of the most quintessentially British festive events. And a pantomime is a fun way to get people into the Christmas spirit while raising money for charity. Assemble a cast, find a stage to perform on and sell tickets to the event. Boost funds on the night by putting on raffles and selling refreshments.

Wreath-making workshop

Gather the foliage and twine, and invite people to make a Christmas wreath with you in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust. Not only will people be donating to a fantastic cause and learning a new skill, but they’ll be taking home a hand-made festive decoration. And you could adapt this fundraising idea to any other Christmas craft, like candle-making or bauble painting.

Christmas karaoke

Ready to sing your heart out for young people with cancer? Grab a mic and get rockin’ around the Christmas tree with family and friends. Whether you’re hosting at home or in a venue, ask guests to donate for the chance to show off their vocal cords. You could even turn it into a festive sing-off competition.

Festive fair

Fling open the doors of schools, community centres or church halls for a Christmas fair. Ask volunteers to donate or make goods to sell, from crafts to mince pies, and organise festive tombolas and raffles. Setting up a Santa’s grotto is also a sure-fire way of boosting funds. Keep things as cheap as possible by asking local businesses to donate prizes or provide them at cost price.

Christmas gala

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and by holding a glittering Christmas charity ball, you’ll be celebrating in style while supporting a fantastic cause. Organising a gala might be a big task, but it will make for an unforgettable night for everyone. Sell tickets and think about games, raffles and charity auctions to run at the event to raise more funds. See if you can get local businesses to donate prizes, local performers to provide entertainment and volunteers to help run the event. And if you’re already planning a big Christmas party for your company, consider using it as an opportunity to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust.

How do I get the money raised to Teenage Cancer Trust?

We’ll automatically get the money if you’ve set up an online fundraising page. If you’ve collected cash donations, check out our paying-in money guide. And be sure to register your event in advance to get all of the help and resources you need to make it a success.