Holiday Party Entertainment Cost: DJ vs. Jukebox Rental vs. Doing It Yourself
When you're budgeting a holiday party, entertainment is usually the biggest question mark. Here's an honest look at the three most common options for an office or family holiday party, what each one costs, and where each one makes sense.
Option 1: Hire a DJ
What you get: a person running the music, usually with lights and a microphone for announcements.
Cost: DJ rates vary widely by market, hours and date, and December weekends are peak season. Expect it to be the most expensive of the three options.
Best for: formal events with a program, like awards, speeches and introductions, where you want someone running the show.
Watch out for: overtime charges if the party runs long, and the DJ's taste deciding what your guests hear.
Option 2: Rent a Digital Jukebox (With or Without Karaoke)
What you get: a touchscreen jukebox with more than 50,000 songs, DJ-quality speakers and optional karaoke with over 25,000 tracks. Your guests pick the music. We handle delivery, setup and next-day pickup.
Cost: Shoemaker Jukebox packages run $275 to $400:
- Small Party Jukebox: $275 (music only, up to 40 guests)
- Premium Jukebox: $325 (music only)
- Small Party Jukebox + Karaoke: $300
- Premium Jukebox + Karaoke: $375 (most popular)
- Premium Jukebox + Karaoke + Extra TV: $400
Your online quote shows any delivery fee for your location.
Best for: office holiday parties, family gatherings and any party where you want people mingling, dancing and singing instead of watching a performer. The music plays as long as your party runs, and pickup is the next day.
Option 3: Do It Yourself
What you get: a streaming playlist and whatever speaker you can borrow.
Cost: close to free, unless you count the time.
Best for: very small, casual get-togethers.
Watch out for: someone gets stuck babysitting the phone, ads or notifications interrupt the music, a home speaker gets lost in a big room, and there's no karaoke. We compared streaming and jukebox rentals in more detail in this post.
Quick Comparison
| DJ | Jukebox rental | DIY playlist | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Highest | $275 to $400 | Lowest |
| Guests choose songs | By request | Yes, on the touchscreen | If they grab the phone |
| Karaoke | Sometimes, extra | 25,000+ tracks | No |
| Setup and pickup | DJ handles it | Included | You |
| Runs late | Overtime fees | Plays all night | Until the battery dies |
Our Take
For most office holiday parties and family gatherings, a jukebox with karaoke gives you the fun of a DJ at a fraction of the effort of doing it yourself. Your team controls the music, karaoke gets people involved, and the person planning the party gets to enjoy it too.
🎄 Save $25 Through November 20
Use code HOLIDAY2026 to take $25 off any package when you book by November 20, 2026, for any event on any date. See the offer details.
We serve New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Check availability for your date or call 1-888-99-JUKEBOX (1-888-995-8532).