Your Christmas Production Checklist

Christmas services are some of the most meaningful moments of the year — and also some of the busiest. With extra rehearsals, special moments, and a lot more moving pieces, it’s easy for important details to slip through the cracks. This Christmas Production Checklist is designed to help you stay organized, prepared, and calm as you lead your team through one of the biggest services of the year.

Christmas Production Checklist

ProPresenter:

• All worship and song lyrics
• Countdown timers
• Service opener
• Lyric videos
• Backgrounds and motion graphics
• Lower-third overlays for each speaker
• Sermon slides and notes
• Announcement slides
• Christmas service playlist is organized for ease
  
  • Color-coded Headers added
  • Playlist organized by order of service

 Lighting:

• Base stage wash for the season
• Accent lighting
• Special lighting for key moments
• Spotlights/follow spots rehearsed and positioned
• Pre-programmed lighting cues for each song
• String lights, star lights, or themed gobos installed
• Test all dimmers for candlelight moment

Stage and Atrium Decorations:

• Christmas trees, wreaths, or garland
• Nativity, or scenic elements
• Stage props
• Atrium photo booth or themed backdrop
• Signage for service times/directions
• Clear paths for accessibility
  
  • All cables are gaff taped down to prevent tripping hazard 

Wardrobe and Team Prep:

• Communicate dress code or color palette
• Worship team coordinated colors
• Ushers/greeters holiday attires

Volunteers and Scheduling:

• All production volunteers scheduled 
  
  • ProPresenter
  • Lights
  • Sound
  • Stage hand
  • Camera
  • Producer
  • Video Director
• Rehearsal scheduled for all teams
• Refreshments and thank-you treats planned

Candlelight Service Essentials:

• Candles ordered/counted (plus drip protectors)
• Practice the “lights down/candles up” cue with team
• Safety briefing for volunteers 
• Special lyrics uploaded in ProPresenter

Bonus Prep:

• Livestream tested with Christmas graphics/lower-thirds
• Extra batteries for mics, candles, remotes
• Backup cables/adapters
• Pre-service playlist with Christmas music
• Plan for first-time visitor follow-up (QR code slides, welcome cards)

Social Media:

• Announcement posts 
  
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Social media stories (BTS)
• Correct links for the livestream
• Shareable graphic invite for staff/volunteers/congregation to repos

Want all of this in one place — plus a few extra tools to make Christmas week even smoother? We’ve put together A Tech Director’s Christmas Survival Kit, a free downloadable PDF packed with this checklist and more. Grab your copy now and head into Christmas confident, prepared, and ready to serve your team well!