30 Christmas Hairstyles for Long Hair: Festive Ideas

Long hair gives you the most options at Christmas, and this list keeps it simple. These are 30 christmas hairstyles for long hair that actually work for real holiday plans, from office parties to family dinners and late-night gift exchanges. No salon appointment needed for most of them.

You’ll find soft waves, braids, buns, ponytails, and festive accessories that turn a basic style into something worth photographing. Every idea below includes a quick tip so you can get it done without stress.

Quick Takeaways

• Half-up styles and low buns hold up best through long Christmas evenings.
• One accessory (bow, ribbon, headband, or tinsel) makes a simple style read as festive.
• Second-day hair grips better for braids and updos than freshly washed hair.
• Heat protectant and flexible-hold hairspray are worth the extra five minutes.
• Pin-straight styles drop fastest in winter humidity, so add texture if the night runs long.

Before You Start: Prep Your Long Hair for the Holidays

Start with dry hair that has a little texture in it. Second-day hair works best for braids, twists, and buns because it grips pins and elastics without slipping. If you washed that morning, blow in a light mousse or texture spray at the roots and through the lengths.

Keep your kit small: a paddle brush, a few clear elastics, bobby pins in your hair color, a flexible-hold hairspray, and one or two festive accessories. Practicing your chosen style once before the event beats learning it while you’re already dressed and running late.

1. Soft Loose Waves

A one-inch curling wand gives you these soft loose waves in about 15 minutes, and they suit nearly every holiday outfit you own. Wrap one-inch sections around the barrel away from your face, leave the last inch of ends straight, then finger-comb everything to break the curls apart. The finish looks relaxed but deliberate, which is exactly what you want for family gatherings or casual office parties. A side part instead of a center part adds a little extra volume at the roots.

Try this: Mist each section with heat protectant first, then set the finished waves with a flexible-hold hairspray so they survive hugs and coat-checks.

2. Vintage Hollywood Waves

Want something with more drama for a formal dinner? Vintage Hollywood waves curl every section in the same direction, then get brushed through to form those polished S-shaped ripples. Use a 1.25-inch curling iron and a shine spray to finish. The structured shape photographs well under warm holiday lighting and pairs nicely with satin dresses or a bold red lip. Set the style at least an hour before you leave so the shape fully cools and firms up.

Try this: Clip each curl to your head while it cools for 10 minutes. That cooling step is what locks in the smooth ripple instead of loose curls.

3. Romantic Curls

Bouncy, full curls carry the cozy energy of Christmas better than any other down style. A one-inch wand with alternating curl directions builds volume that looks natural rather than stiff, and the curls bounce back even after you brush them out for dinner. This is a strong pick for evening parties where you’ll be photographed, since defined curls read well on camera. Avoid brushing the curls out completely, since a little definition is what keeps the look festive.

Try this: Let each curl cool in your palm for five seconds before releasing it. You’ll get tighter hold without needing extra-hold spray.

4. Bouncy Defined Curls

If your hair is naturally curly or wavy, Christmas is the time to let it do its thing. Scrunch a curl-defining cream into damp lengths, diffuse upside down for root volume, and keep your roots light so the curls don’t collapse by dessert. Pinning one side back with a small gold clip adds a festive touch without fighting your texture. Skip heavy oils on this day, since weighed-down curls lose their bounce fast.

Try this: Refresh day-two curls with a spray bottle of water mixed with a pea-sized amount of leave-in conditioner instead of re-wetting the whole head.

5. Sleek Straight Hair

Sometimes the cleanest choice wins. Flat-ironed long hair with a sharp center part lets your outfit and accessories do the talking, and it takes under 20 minutes if your hair cooperates. Work in thin sections, glide the iron from roots to ends once, and finish with a smoothing serum to tame winter flyaways. A deep shine makes straight hair look intentional rather than lazy. Tuck one side behind your ear to show off a statement earring.

Try this: Run the iron at medium heat in one slow pass per section instead of multiple fast passes. You’ll get less damage and a smoother finish.

6. Elegant Side-Swept Hair

Directing all your hair over one shoulder creates instant softness and a little visual drama. Create a deep side part, smooth the lengths, and pin the smaller side behind your ear so the sweep stays put. This works over strapless dresses or wide necklines, where the bare shoulder balances the full fall of hair. It reads formal with almost no effort. A touch of shine serum on the ends gives the sweep a polished gleam under party lights.

Try this: Place two crossed bobby pins under the top layer at the nape. The sweep won’t creep back during the evening.

7. Half-Up With Volume

The half-up style gives you structure at the crown and movement through the ends, which is why it shows up at every holiday party. Tease the crown lightly with a fine-tooth comb, smooth the top layer over it, and secure with a clear elastic or small claw clip. It flatters nearly every face shape and holds for hours since the elastic does the heavy lifting. Swap the elastic for a small velvet scrunchie in a holiday color for extra flair.

Try this: Spray the teased section with dry shampoo before smoothing. The grit helps the volume last through the night.

8. Twisted Half-Up Curls

Start with curled hair, then twist two sections from the temples and pin them at the back of your head. The twists add structure that a plain half-up doesn’t have, while the curls keep everything soft. This takes about 10 minutes once your curls are done and works for both casual and dressy plans. A small sparkle clip at the twist junction turns it up a notch. This style photographs especially well from the back, so it suits parties with group pictures.

Try this: Twist the sections away from your face and pull the edges of each twist slightly wider. The fuller twist looks more festive than a tight rope.

9. Braided Crown

A braided crown wraps a halo braid around your head, and long hair makes it look thick and impressive. Dutch-braid two sections from each temple toward the back, join them, and pin the tail underneath. The style keeps hair off your face all evening and looks elegant in photos from every angle. Weave in a few baby’s breath sprigs if you want a winter-garden feel. Mist the finished crown lightly with hairspray, focusing on the pinned junctions.

Try this: Gently tug the outer edges of the braid (pancaking) after pinning. A wider braid looks fuller and more festive.

10. Waterfall Braid

The waterfall braid lets strands cascade through the braid instead of pulling them all the way through, which creates that flowing, detailed look. Work it horizontally across the back of your head so the dropped pieces fall over straight or waved lengths. It’s a detail-heavy style that reads as special-occasion hair without any accessories. Practice on the side of your head first if you’ve never tried it. A few dropped strands framing your face soften the finished look.

Try this: Keep tension even on every crossover. Loose crossovers unravel by dinner, and tight ones buckle the pattern.

11. Fishtail Braid

A fishtail braid looks far more complicated than it is. Split a low side ponytail into two sections and pass thin outer pieces across from each side, alternating until you run out of length. Worn over one shoulder, the intricate texture does all the work for a festive look. It suits daytime celebrations and relaxed holiday plans where a full updo would feel like too much. Secure the end with a small bow or decorative tie to finish it off.

Try this: Pull the finished braid apart gently from top to bottom. A loosened fishtail looks twice as thick and stays put longer.

12. Loose Boho Braid

For cozy outfits and natural makeup, a loose boho braid hits the right note. Braid one side loosely, leave a few face-framing pieces out, and pull the braid wide for softness. The relaxed texture pairs well with knit dresses and boots, and it takes about five minutes once your hair is prepped. A bit of texture spray at the roots gives the pieces you pull out more character. Pull out two thin face-framing pieces after braiding for an easy, relaxed edge.

Try this: Braid with your hair flipped to one side instead of straight back. The off-center placement photographs better.

13. Side Braid With Curls

Braid the top half of your hair to one side, then let the ends fall in curls instead of braiding all the way down. You get the romance of a braid plus the softness of curls in one style, which suits evening events and holiday photos. Curl the ends with a wand after braiding so they blend naturally with the unbraided lengths underneath. The mix of braid and curl keeps the style interesting from every angle.

Try this: Secure the braid end with a tiny clear elastic, then wrap a thin strand of hair around it to hide the band.

14. Loose Braided Ponytail

Gather your hair into a low ponytail at the nape, then braid it loosely down the back. This relaxed style handles winter layers well, since a low ponytail won’t fight with scarves or high collars. The braid adds visual interest that a plain ponytail lacks, and it stays tidy for hours. It’s a good pick for daytime outings like markets or gift shopping. This style also works well for outdoor markets since it stays tidy in the cold.

Try this: Tie the braid off with a velvet ribbon instead of an elastic. One accessory, zero extra effort.

15. French Twist

The French twist is the classic formal option for long hair. Gather your hair low, twist it upward along the back of your head, tuck the ends in, and pin. Long hair gives the twist a fuller shape than medium lengths can. Smooth the surface with a light gel so the winter wind doesn’t rough it up. Statement earrings finish the look since the neck stays bare. Tuck the ends in firmly and pin from underneath so the twist keeps its clean line.

Try this: Insert bobby pins vertically along the twist’s outer edge in an X pattern. Horizontal pins slip out on long heavy hair.

16. Braided Chignon

Weave braided strands into a low chignon and you get an updo with built-in detail. Braid two side sections, wrap everything into a low bun at the nape, and pin the braids across the bun’s surface. The result looks formal enough for Christmas dinner but soft enough not to read as stiff. It holds well on long hair because the braids distribute the weight. Let a few thin tendrils fall loose around the face for softness.

Try this: Use U-shaped hairpins instead of bobby pins for the final hold. They grip thick long hair without slipping.

17. Sleek Low Bun

A sleek low bun keeps everything neat and shows off your earrings and makeup. Brush hair smooth into a low ponytail, twist it into a bun at the nape, and pin flat. A light gel or cream at the roots tames flyaways without looking wet. This is the easiest formal option on the list, and it survives winter weather better than loose styles. A middle part with the bun gives a classic, balanced look.

Try this: Brush the hair into the ponytail with a boar-bristle brush. The dense bristles smooth the surface faster than a paddle brush.

18. Messy Low Bun With Tinsel

Take a relaxed low bun and weave a few strands of gold or silver tinsel through it before pinning. The tinsel catches the light whenever you move, which makes an easy bun feel genuinely festive. Keep the bun a little loose so the tinsel stays visible between the twists. Use three to five tinsel strands; more than that tangles and reads as cluttered. Gold tinsel suits warm skin tones, while silver flatters cooler ones.

Try this: Fold each tinsel strand in half and pin the folded loop first. It anchors the strand so it doesn’t slide out during the night.

19. Messy Top Knot

Pull your hair into a high ponytail and wrap it around its base, leaving a few loose pieces around the face. The messy top knot takes five minutes and suits casual Christmas plans like tree decorating or a movie night. Long hair gives the knot real size, which is what keeps it from looking like a gym bun. A spritz of texture spray before wrapping adds grip. Loosen the knot with your fingertips after pinning for a fuller shape.

Try this: Don’t wrap the last pass of the elastic fully. The looped bun this creates is easier to pin and looks fuller.

20. Ballerina Bun

A polished high bun placed at the crown gives you a clean, lifted silhouette. Smooth hair into a high ponytail, twist the length around the base, and pin in layers. Long hair makes the bun naturally full without needing a donut form. This is a strong choice when you want your face fully open for photos, and it won’t budge through a long evening of dancing. A touch of gel around the hairline keeps baby hairs smooth all night.

Try this: Split the ponytail into two sections and twist each around the base in opposite directions. The layered wrap grips better than a single twist.

21. Twisted Low Ponytail

Split your hair into two sections, twist them around each other, and secure low at the nape. The rope twist adds texture that a plain ponytail lacks, and the low placement keeps the look calm and refined. It works well with high-neck winter outfits since the ponytail sits below the collar line. Add a ribbon at the base for an instant festive upgrade. Finish with a ribbon tied in a small bow at the base for a holiday accent.

Try this: Twist each section in the same direction, then wrap the two twists around each other the opposite way. The counter-twist locks the style in place.

22. High Ponytail

A high ponytail brings energy to holiday parties. Gather hair at the crown, smooth the top with a brush, and curl the ends for movement. Wrapping a strand of hair around the base hides the elastic and makes the whole style look intentional. Long hair gives the ponytail swing and length, which is the entire appeal. This stays secure for hours of mingling. Long ponytails show best against simple, solid-color tops.

Try this: Tilt your head back while gathering the ponytail. The angle pulls the top tighter and gives you a cleaner line.

23. Bubble Ponytail

Secure a high ponytail, then add small clear elastics every two to three inches down the length and puff each section. The rounded bubbles give a playful, modern feel that stands out at parties. Long hair produces more bubbles, which makes the effect better. Finish with a light hairspray so the bubbles don’t deflate, and add a bow at the top elastic for extra holiday character. Space the elastics evenly so each bubble matches in size.

Try this: Tug each section outward from the center after adding the elastic. The wider you pull, the rounder each bubble looks.

24. Ornamental Ponytail

This one always gets comments. Pull your hair into a low ponytail, then slide the ends of small ornament hooks through bobby pins and push the pins vertically into the ponytail. Use mini gold or red baubles, about six to eight of them, spaced down the length. They move and catch light as you walk. Keep the ornaments small and lightweight so the ponytail doesn’t drag. Check the weight as you add ornaments, and stop before the ponytail starts pulling.

Try this: Thread the ornament cap through the pin and close the pin first, then push it into the hair. Pre-closed pins stay put better.

25. Wrapped Low Ponytail

A low ponytail wrapped in natural twine or jute string gives a rustic holiday feel. Secure the ponytail at the nape, smooth the top, then wind twine around the base or a few inches down the length. Anchor the string’s start and end with bobby pins slipped under the ponytail. The texture of the twine contrasts nicely with smooth hair and suits casual, cozy gatherings. A sprig of faux greenery tucked under the wrap adds a seasonal touch.

Try this: Wrap over a thin elastic rather than directly on hair. The string won’t catch or pull strands when you remove it.

26. Pigtails With Ribbons

Two pigtails tied with red satin ribbons are playful and unmistakably festive. Part your hair down the middle, secure each side at ear level or slightly higher, and tie long ribbon tails into bows at each base. The style suits casual parties and family photos, and it keeps long hair fully out of your way. Longer ribbons with trailing ends look more festive than short ones. Higher placement looks playful, while lower placement feels more grown-up.

Try this: Curl the pigtails lightly with a wand. Curled ends keep the style from looking like a school-day throwback.

27. Festive Headband Style

A twisted velvet headband pushed back over long hair is the fastest festive fix on this list. The twisted fabric adds texture and a little height at the crown while your lengths flow free. Choose deep red, forest green, or gold velvet for the most holiday impact. This works when you’re short on time but still want to look like you planned something. Pair it with soft waves underneath for the fullest effect.

Try this: Place the headband about an inch behind your hairline and tuck a few front pieces loosely in front of it. The soft framing flatters more than a severe push-back.

28. Ribbon-Accented Braid

Weave a red satin ribbon through a long three-strand braid as the fourth strand. The ribbon shows between the woven sections and runs the full length of the braid, which makes even a basic braid look holiday-ready. Start by tying the ribbon to the elastic at the top so it can’t slip out. Green ribbon works too if red isn’t your color. Knot the ribbon’s end into a small bow below the elastic for a clean finish.

Try this: Use a ribbon about as wide as your pinky finger. Wider ribbons overpower the braid, and thinner ones disappear into it.

29. Velvet Bow Half-Up

Gather the top half of your hair into a small ponytail at the back, then clip a large velvet bow over the elastic. The bow does all the decorative work while the half-up shape keeps things wearable. Deep green, burgundy, or black velvet all work against long hair. This is one of the easiest high-impact styles on the list and takes under five minutes. Curl the ends of the down section so the whole style feels finished.

Try this: Choose a bow clip with an alligator clip base rather than a barrette. It grips long hair more securely for long evenings.

30. Side Twist Pin-Back

Twist the front sections on each side away from your face, pull them to the back, and secure with a decorative clip. The twist frames your face while the rest of your hair flows down, which makes it a gentle choice for holiday photos. Pull the twists slightly loose after pinning so they look soft rather than tight. A pearl or gold clip adds a polished finish without extra effort.

Try this: Cross two bobby pins in an X under the decorative clip. The hidden pins carry the weight so the clip stays decorative, not structural.

Christmas Hairstyles for Long Hair Comparison at a Glance

How to Choose the Right Christmas Hairstyle for You

Match the style to the length of the event first. All-day plans and late parties call for pinned or braided styles that lock in, while a short dinner lets you get away with loose waves or a headband look.

Think about your outfit’s neckline too. Updos and side-swept styles suit bare shoulders and statement necklaces, while high necklines pair better with down styles or side braids. If you’ll be outside in winter wind, anything pinned close to the head will survive the walk to the car.

Finally, be honest about your skill level. A waterfall braid you fumble through for 40 minutes will look worse than a polished low bun you nail in 10. Pick the style you can actually do well, then add one festive accessory to make it feel special.

Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t wash your hair right before styling an updo or braid. Freshly washed long hair is slippery, and pins slide out within the hour. Second-day hair with a little dry shampoo grips far better.

Skip heavy serums on styles that need hold. Oils and heavy creams weigh long hair down and loosen twists and braids faster. Save the shine products for sleek down styles, and keep them away from roots on updos.

Don’t skip the hairspray on finished styles. Even a flexible-hold mist adds a layer of insurance against winter wind and indoor heat. One light pass from 12 inches away is enough; soaking the style makes it stiff and dull.

If your hair is on the shorter side or you want more holiday inspiration beyond long hair, our guide on christmas hairstyles for women covers looks for every length.

When the weather turns cold and hats come back out, beanie hairstyles for women shows how to keep long hair neat and stylish under a beanie.

For looks that carry you through the whole season, fall hairstyle trends covers transitional styles that pair well with these Christmas ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make a Christmas hairstyle last all evening?

Start with second-day hair or add dry shampoo for grip, pin in an X pattern so pins can’t slide straight out, and finish with a flexible-hold hairspray. Braided and twisted styles naturally last longer than loose styles because the structure itself holds the shape. Carry three spare bobby pins in your bag for quick fixes.

What is the easiest Christmas hairstyle for long hair?

The festive headband style and the velvet bow half-up are the two fastest options, each taking under five minutes. A messy top knot or soft loose waves take a little longer but need no special skills. If you only have minutes, grab one accessory and add it to whatever style you already wear daily.

How can I add a festive touch to a simple hairstyle?

One accessory is all it takes: a velvet bow, red ribbon, twisted velvet headband, gold tinsel strands, or mini ornaments clipped into a ponytail. Tuck the accessory into a style you already know how to do, like a low bun or half-up, rather than learning a complicated new technique on the day of the event.

Should I wash my hair before a Christmas party hairstyle?

For updos, braids, and twists, wash the day before so the hair has texture and grip. For sleek straight or smooth down styles, washing the same day works fine since those styles want clean, smooth hair. If you must wash the same day, blow in mousse or texture spray before styling an updo.

What hairstyles work best for Christmas photos?

Styles with shape and dimension photograph best: romantic curls, vintage Hollywood waves, braided crowns, and half-up styles all read well on camera. Avoid styles that fall flat against the head, and keep flyaways tamed with a light hairspray. Side-swept and side-braid styles look good from multiple angles, which helps in group photos.

Final Thoughts

Thirty ideas is a lot, but you only need one that fits your plans and your skill level. Pick your favorite, practice it once, and keep one festive accessory handy for the night itself. I’ve seen plenty of December plans change at the last minute, so a velvet bow and a few bobby pins in your bag can save almost any hairstyle situation.