27 Christmas Hairstyles for Curly Hair (2026)

Curly hair and Christmas parties go together better than most people think. Your texture already brings volume and movement, so you don’t need much to look done. A clip, a ribbon, or one twist can turn your everyday curls into something festive.

I’ve styled enough holiday parties to know curls need a plan before the doorbell rings. These 27 christmas hairstyles for curly hair cover every length and curl type, from quick five-minute fixes to protective styles that last the whole week.

Quick Takeaways

• Festive clips, bows, and ribbons turn basic curls into Christmas-ready styles in minutes.
• Style on second-day curls or add dry shampoo at the roots for grip before pinning.
• Low-tension styles like twists, loose braids, and claw-clip updos protect curls from winter dryness.
• A leave-in conditioner plus light-hold hairspray keeps frizz down through a long evening.
• Protective options like crochet twists and braid-outs last several days of holiday events.

Getting Your Curls Party-Ready

Start with moisturized hair. Wash a day or two before the event, then refresh curls with a leave-in conditioner and a small amount of curl cream. Dry hair with a diffuser on low heat so your curl pattern stays intact and defined.

On styling day, keep a few things within reach: bobby pins that match your hair color, a rattail comb for clean partings, dry shampoo for the roots, and a flexible-hold hairspray. If your curls are fine, a little dry shampoo at the crown adds the grip clips and pins need to stay put.

Night-before prep saves time. Loose overnight braids or twist buns on damp hair give you heatless waves by morning, and the pineapple method (a loose high ponytail with a satin scrunchie) keeps curls from flattening while you sleep. If you’re adding seasonal color for the holidays, winter hair color ideas has shades that add glow without a full dye job.

1. Two Festive Side Clips

Pin back both sides of your curls with decorative Christmas clips and let the rest fall free. Gold holly, red berry, or snowflake designs read instantly festive without touching your curl pattern. This works on shoulder-length curls and longer, and it takes about three minutes. Slide each clip just above the ear so face-framing curls stay loose in front. Match the clip finish to your jewelry for a pulled-together look.

Try this: spritz a little hairspray on each clip before sliding it in. The extra grip keeps the clips from sliding on fine hair all evening.

Difficulty: Easy · Cost: Under $10

2. Asymmetric Side Clip Pin-Back

For a sleeker take on the clip trend, pin back only one side with a single jeweled barrette. The asymmetry flatters round and square faces, and it keeps curls off your face while you eat, talk, and hug relatives. Deepen the part on the opposite side first so the pinned side lies flat. A red crystal or emerald clip pops against dark curls. This also works on shorter curls that can’t hold a full updo.

Try this: smooth a pea-sized amount of edge control along the part before clipping. It tames flyaways for a cleaner finish.

Difficulty: Easy · Cost: Under $10

3. Twisted Pullback

Twist a two-inch section from each temple back toward the crown and pin them where they meet. This soft pullback keeps hair out of your face while showing off your curl length. It suits medium and long curls and photographs well from the back. Cross two bobby pins in an X over each twist so they don’t loosen as you move. Leave a few tendrils loose at the front for a relaxed feel.

Try this: twist on slightly damp hair with a dab of curl cream. The twists set smoother and hold longer.

Difficulty: Easy · Cost: Under $5

4. Half-Up Claw Clip

Gather the top half of your curls and clamp them with a large claw clip. The result looks styled but takes under two minutes, and the clip’s teeth grip curls better than most barrettes. A tortoiseshell or gold clip adds holiday polish. This is one of the most forgiving options for thick curls because the clip does the holding, not pins. Let the bottom curls fall naturally over your shoulders.

Try this: flip your head upside down, gather the top section, and clip. You get more crown volume with zero backcombing.

Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $8–12

5. Two Front Braids

Braid two thin sections at your hairline and pin them back behind your ears. The tiny braids add detail to loose curls without much effort, and they read playful next to a party dress. Keep the braids snug at the start, then let them loosen as they go back so they blend into your curls. Gold thread wrapped around each braid turns this into a real statement. Keep a few spare pins in your bag for touch-ups later in the night.

Try this: apply a little gel to the two sections before braiding. It keeps short flyaways from escaping the braid.

Difficulty: Medium · Cost: Free

6. Braided Pullback

Braid one section on each side of your head and join them at the back with a small clear elastic. Unlike the twisted version, the braids add visible texture that stands out in photos. This suits wavy-to-curly hair best, since looser curl types show the braid pattern clearly. Hide the elastic under a small bow or a curl draped over it. A sprig of faux greenery tucked into the join adds extra Christmas charm.

Try this: pancake each braid (gently pull the edges wider) for a fuller, more festive look.

Difficulty: Medium · Cost: Free

7. Side French Braid

A French braid swept over one shoulder keeps curls contained and shows off your length. Braid from the opposite temple so the braid crosses the head diagonally, then leave the last few inches curly and unbraided. The contrast between the neat braid and loose curls looks intentional and polished. This works through dinner, dancing, and cold weather without falling apart. It also keeps curls from tangling in scarves and coat collars.

Try this: braid on stretched or second-day hair. Freshly washed curls slip out of braids too easily.

Difficulty: Medium · Cost: Free

8. Festive Curly Pigtails

Two high pigtails tied with red ribbons bring a fun, youthful energy to holiday parties. Keep the pigtails high and loose so the curls bounce, and leave the ribbon ends long so they trail down. This suits medium and long curls and works for casual family gatherings. Part the hair down the middle first for the classic look, or skip the part for something softer. A light mist of water revives curl bounce if they fall flat by evening.

Try this: wrap a small curl around each elastic and pin it underneath. The ties disappear and the ribbons do the talking.

Difficulty: Easy · Cost: Under $5

9. Relaxed Claw Clip Updo

Scoop all your curls up loosely and secure them with a large gold claw clip at the back. The updo looks effortless, and a gold clip reads as jewelry on its own. Pull out a few curls around the face and nape so it doesn’t look too tight. This is the fastest real updo on the list, which makes it ideal when you’re running late for the party. It suits thick curls that need a strong hold.

Try this: twist the hair once before clamping the clip. The twist gives the clip more to grip and the updo lasts longer.

Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $10–15

10. High Party Bun

Pile your curls into a high bun and let the texture do the talking. A curly high bun has natural fullness that straight hair needs padding to fake. Smooth the front with edge control, gather everything at the crown, and pin the curls into a round shape instead of twisting them tight. A high bun also shows off earrings and a statement necklace, which suits evening events. A quick mist of hairspray sets the shape for the night.

Try this: use a donut form only if your hair is fine. Thick curls have enough body to form the bun without help.

Difficulty: Easy · Cost: Free

11. Ornament-Adorned Braided Crown

Braid a halo around your head and pin tiny gold baubles, red berries, and holly sprigs along it. This is the showpiece of the list and the one guests will ask about. Braid two Dutch braids from each temple, cross them over the crown, and pin everything down before adding the decorations with small bobby pins. Keep the ornaments light so the braid doesn’t sag. This suits long and medium curls.

Try this: use shatterproof mini baubles (1 inch or smaller) from a craft store. They weigh almost nothing and survive a hug.

Difficulty: Hard · Cost: $10–15

12. Crochet Twists Party Look

Crochet twists in a deep burgundy or warm brown give you a long-lasting protective style with built-in holiday color. The install takes two to three hours at a salon, but the style lasts four to six weeks and needs almost no daily work. Wear them down for parties or sweep them into a side ponytail. Burgundy flatters most skin tones and looks especially seasonal in December. The style also shields your natural hair from winter dryness while you wear it.

Try this: moisturize your natural hair underneath with a light oil every few days so your scalp stays comfortable through the install.

Difficulty: Medium · Cost: $25–60

13. Locs Glam Plait Updo

If you wear locs, braid them into a raised plait and coil it into an updo, then slide gold hair cuffs onto a few sections. The cuffs catch the light like jewelry and turn a familiar style into party hair. This works for medium and long locs. Keep the plait snug but not tight at the hairline, and tuck the ends under with pins. Remove the cuffs gently afterward so they don’t snag.

Try this: add the cuffs after the updo is finished. Sliding them on earlier makes them migrate while you braid.

Difficulty: Medium · Cost: $5–10

14. Bold Afro with Red Lip

Wear your afro in its full, picked-out glory and pair it with a red lip. Nothing about this look needs styling beyond a good shape-up and moisture. The afro is already the statement, so keep accessories minimal: gold hoops and red lipstick complete it. Use a wide-tooth comb or pick to shape, then smooth the hairline with edge control. This is the lowest-effort, highest-impact option for type 4 hair. Shape it the night before so you only need a quick pick-out on party day.

Try this: mist with water and a little leave-in before picking. Damp hair shapes more evenly and the afro holds its roundness longer.

Difficulty: Easy · Cost: Free

15. Sleek Straightened Holiday Look

Some years you want a change. A silk press or a straight wig gives you a completely different silhouette for the night, and it pairs well with heavy holiday makeup. If you straighten your own curls, use a heat protectant on every section and keep the flat iron passes to one or two. A wig avoids heat damage entirely. Either way, wrap your hair or wear a satin bonnet overnight if you want it to last past one evening.

Try this: tuck the straightened hair behind one ear and add a crystal clip. The contrast keeps the look from feeling flat.

Difficulty: Medium · Cost: $30–80

16. Silk Scarf Accent Curls

Fold a silk scarf into a band and tie it as a headband over loose curls. A red, green, or plaid print reads instantly festive, and the silk keeps your hairline smooth. Knot the scarf at the top or side and let the ends hang with your curls. This also works as a second-day refresh when your curls have lost their shape but the roots still look fine. Re-tie the knot once mid-evening to keep it snug.

Try this: place the scarf about two inches behind your hairline so a little volume shows in front of it.

Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $5–15

17. Jeweled Twist-Out

Do your usual twist-out, then scatter small crystal pins and tiny red bows through the finished curls. The twist-out gives you defined, stretched curls, and the decorations do the festive work. Place pins at random intervals rather than in a pattern; it looks more natural. This suits type 3 and type 4 hair and lasts two to three days with a satin bonnet at night. Sleep with the bonnet on loosely so the pins don’t press into your scalp.

Try this: twist on damp hair with a butter-based cream, then separate each twist only once. Over-separating creates frizz.

Difficulty: Medium · Cost: $8–15

18. Half-Up Half-Down Defined Curls

Pull the top section into a half-up and tie it with a red bow, leaving the rest of your defined curls down. This shows off your curl pattern and length while keeping hair out of your face. Define the bottom curls first with cream and a diffuser so the contrast between the tied top and loose bottom looks clean. A velvet or satin bow reads more expensive than a plain elastic.

Try this: take the top section from ear to ear, not from the temples. The wider section balances the volume better.

Difficulty: Easy · Cost: Under $5

19. Defined Wash-and-Go

Sometimes the best party style is your curls at their best. A wash-and-go with strong definition looks polished enough for Christmas dinner on its own. Work a leave-in through soaking-wet hair in sections, follow with a curl-defining gel, and diffuse on low heat. The shine and clump definition carry the look. Start on soaking-wet hair and work in small sections for the best clumps. Add one statement earring pair and you’re done.

Try this: don’t touch your curls while they dry. Every touch breaks clumps and invites frizz.

Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $10–25

20. Holiday Braid-Out

Braid damp hair into six to eight loose braids the night before, then undo them in the morning for stretched S-shaped waves. A braid-out gives you volume and length without heat, and the waves look festive with a single accessory. Fluff the roots with your fingers after unraveling, but don’t brush. This suits type 3 and type 4 hair and holds up for two to three days. Smaller braids give tighter waves, so choose your braid size to match the look you want.

Try this: braid with a little mousse instead of cream. Mousse gives the waves more hold through a long party night.

Difficulty: Easy · Cost: Free

21. Red Velvet Bow Half-Up

A large red velvet bow holding a half-up section is one of the most recognizable Christmas looks. Velvet catches light softly and looks richer than satin in photos. Secure the half-up section with a small elastic first, then clip the bow over it so the bow carries no weight and stays perched. This suits all curl types and all lengths past the shoulders. Pair it with simple studs so the bow stays the focus of the look.

Try this: position the bow slightly off-center. A centered bow can read childish on adults; off-center reads chic.

Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $6–12

22. Ribbon-Wrapped Low Ponytail

Gather your curls into a low ponytail and wrap a wide red satin ribbon around the base, letting the ends trail down. The ribbon hides the elastic and adds instant holiday color. Keep the ponytail loose rather than pulled tight so your curl volume shows. This works for office parties and family dinners where you want to look polished without much effort. A low side part keeps the look soft rather than severe.

Try this: tie the ribbon in a bow at the side of the base instead of the center. It photographs better from the front.

Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $4–8

23. Pearl-Pin Twisted Halo

Twist two front sections back along the crown and pin them into a halo, then dot pearl pins along the twists. Pearls against dark curls look classic and wintery, and the halo keeps hair off your neck through a warm, crowded party. Cross the pins at angles so they grip both the twist and the hair beneath. This suits medium and long curls, and it keeps everything neat through long, crowded evenings.

Try this: use pearl pins with a slight bend in the stem. Straight pins slide out of curly hair too easily.

Difficulty: Medium · Cost: $8–12

24. Festive Curly Space Buns

Split your curls into two high buns and clip a tiny Christmas tree or star into each one. Space buns suit medium and shorter curls that can’t fill a single big bun, and the look stays playful through casual parties. Keep the buns loose and curly rather than slicked so the texture shows. A middle part makes them symmetrical; a side part makes them edgier. A light glitter spray adds extra party shine without stiffening the curls.

Try this: secure each bun with a small elastic, then pin the curls around it. The pins give curly buns their round shape.

Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $6–10

25. Berry Sprig Accent Curls

Pin small sprigs of greenery and red berry picks into loose curls like a living wreath. The green and red look especially sharp against silver and gray curls, where the contrast does the work for you. Use floral picks with wire stems so they anchor into thick curls, and place them asymmetrically for a natural look. Real sprigs last an evening; faux ones last all season. Faux sprigs also survive dancing and hugs better than real ones.

Try this: mist the sprigs with hairspray before placing them. It keeps real greenery from shedding needles onto your shoulders.

Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $8–15

26. Low Chignon with Gold Hair Cuffs

Coil your curls into a low chignon at the nape and clip gold hair cuffs onto a few curled sections around it. The chignon reads formal enough for Christmas Eve dinner, and the cuffs add the festive touch without extra styling time. Leave two thin tendrils loose in front to soften the look. This suits medium and long curls and holds well with pins alone. Use U-pins rather than bobby pins for a stronger, longer hold.

Try this: build the chignon on day-old hair. Fresh curls are too slippery and the coil won’t hold its shape.

Difficulty: Medium · Cost: $8–12

27. Plaid Bow Twisted Top Knot

Twist your curls into a top knot and finish it with a red-and-green plaid bow. The plaid reads unmistakably Christmas, and the top knot keeps everything off your face and neck. Leave a few curls loose around the hairline so the style doesn’t look severe. This suits medium and long curls and takes about ten minutes. Anchor the knot with two crossed pins before adding the bow so it stays put.

Try this: pin the bow to the knot itself, not the surrounding hair. It stays centered as you move through the night.

Difficulty: Easy · Cost: $6–10

Christmas Curly Hairstyles Comparison at a Glance

How to Choose the Right Christmas Style for Your Curls

Match the style to the event first. Formal dinners and galas suit updos like the low chignon or the high party bun, while family gatherings welcome playful options like pigtails or space buns. If you’ll be outdoors in the cold, pinned styles survive wind better than loose curls.

Think about your curl type next. Tight coils hold twists, braids, and buns with fewer pins, while looser curls shine in wash-and-gos, braid-outs, and half-up styles. Fine curls need dry shampoo and light products so accessories don’t slide; thick curls need strong clips and extra pins.

Time matters too. If you have ten minutes, grab a claw clip or a scarf. If you have an evening to prep, a twist-out or braid-out done the night before gives you multi-day wear. For the full holiday season, crochet twists cover every event on your calendar.

For straight-hair party looks outside this list, our roundup of christmas hairstyles for women covers 57 options across every texture.

Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t style freshly washed curls for pinned looks. Clean curls are slippery, and clips, braids, and twists all hold better on second-day hair with a little dry shampoo at the roots. If your event is the same day as wash day, wait until the hair is fully dry and add product for grip.

Don’t overload on accessories. One statement piece, like the velvet bow or the gold claw clip, reads festive. Three different accessories competing on one head reads cluttered. Pick one hero and let it work.

Don’t skip moisture in winter. Cold air and indoor heating dry curls fast, and dry curls frizz by dessert. A leave-in under your style and a light oil on the ends keeps definition through the night.

Don’t pull styles too tight. Low-tension twists, loose braids, and soft updos protect your edges through a long season of parties. If a style hurts within an hour, take it down and redo it looser.

When the party ends and you’re heading out into the cold, beanie hairstyles for women shows how to keep curls intact under winter hats.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep my curly hair from frizzing at a Christmas party?

Start with a leave-in conditioner and seal the ends with a light oil before styling. Cold air and indoor heating pull moisture out of curls fast. A flexible-hold hairspray over the finished style locks everything in without crunch. Avoid touching your curls during the evening, since every touch breaks the curl clumps and invites frizz.

What Christmas accessories work best in curly hair?

Claw clips, barrettes, bows, silk scarves, and pearl pins all grip curly hair well. Mini baubles and berry picks with wire stems anchor best in thick curls. Avoid heavy metal pieces that pull on fine curls, and skip plain elastics where they’ll show. One statement accessory looks better than several small ones competing for attention.

How can I make my Christmas hairstyle last all evening?

Style on second-day hair or add dry shampoo at the roots for grip. Cross bobby pins in an X pattern instead of sliding them in straight, and finish with a light-hold hairspray. Braided and twisted styles naturally outlast loose accessories. Carry two spare pins in your bag for quick fixes between dinner and dancing.

Should I wash my hair the same day I style it for Christmas?

Washing one to two days before works best for pinned styles, since slightly lived-in curls hold clips and braids better. If you prefer same-day washing, wait until your hair is completely dry and add a styling cream for grip before pinning. Wash-and-gos and diffused styles are the exception and look best on fresh hair.

What Christmas hairstyles work for short curly hair?

Side clips, jeweled pins, silk scarf headbands, and space buns all suit short curls. A defined wash-and-go with one statement accessory is the simplest option. Short curls can’t fill big buns, so skip the high bun and go for decorated pixie-length looks or a mini twisted halo instead.

Final Thoughts

Curly hair doesn’t need much to look festive. Pick one style that fits your evening, give your curls the moisture they need for winter air, and add a single accessory that feels like you. These looks have carried me through many holiday seasons, and the simplest ones always get the most compliments.