December Holiday Party Rentals in Chicago: Planning Guide

December is the busiest month for corporate parties, family gatherings and holiday fundraisers in Chicago. Everyone wants the same Fridays and Saturdays, everyone needs coat space, and everyone hopes the snow holds off until midnight. This guide covers the weather, the schedule and the rental list.

December weather

NWS normals for O'Hare list December at a 36.6°F average high and 24.4°F average low, with 2.11 inches of precipitation and 7.6 inches of snow. Wind off the lake makes it feel colder. Most events are indoors, but outdoor elements like a tented patio, a heated entrance or a winter market can work with the right setup.

Daylight is short

Sunset in Chicago is about 4:21 pm on December 1 and about 4:20 pm on December 15 (calculated for 2027), the earliest of the year. The winter solstice is about December 21. Employees leaving the office at 5 pm arrive in the dark, so signage, entrance lighting and parking instructions matter more than they do in summer. See our winter event lighting guide.

What to rent for a holiday party

For counts, see how many chairs do I need and how many glasses per guest. A 100-person party often needs 8 to 10 tables beyond the guest tables once you add the bar, the buffet, the gift table and the DJ.

Chairs that look festive

Velvet dining chairs in emerald, navy or champagne add richness at about $18 to $25 per chair, while Louis medallion chairs at $20 to $30 suit a black-tie gala. Gold infinity chairs catch candlelight at about $9 to $13. All figures are estimates; your quote confirms them.

December booking timeline

Snow and delivery

Seven inches of average snow means some deliveries will be slower. Give your rental company a clear delivery window, a loading dock or door that is shoveled and salted, and a contact who answers. Downtown, remember that holiday traffic and street closures slow crews, so allow extra time. If the party is in a suburb, ask the village about parking restrictions during snow.

Coats, mats and the entrance

A holiday party in Chicago creates a mountain of coats, boots and wet umbrellas. Plan a coat room with racks and numbered hangers, add mats at the door, and keep the entrance clear. Our coat rack guide lists how many racks per guest. Add a table for the check-in and a sign that says where to find the coats.

Menu and bar equipment

Holiday menus lean on hot drinks. A hot cocoa bar, coffee urns and a mulled cider station add warmth. See hot cocoa bar ideas and how many coffee urns for a party. Ask your caterer about warming equipment, and be sure the power plan includes the extra load.

Corporate considerations

Corporate parties often need a stage or a microphone for remarks, a registration table and a plan for plus-ones. Place the bar away from the entrance to prevent a jam. Offer non-alcoholic choices, and consider a quiet seating area for people who want to chat. If your office is hosting a nonprofit event, ask whether rentals can be donated or discounted; the answer is up to each vendor.

Plan the whole rental list in one call

Book a free 15-minute seating call and we will walk through your date, your venue and your guest count, or request a quote with the details. We help plan chairs, tables, linens, dinnerware, glassware, tents and lighting together, so one conversation covers the whole list. Our first deliveries begin with the 2027 Founding Season in April.