Christmas Radio Ads and Holiday Audio: Your 2026 Planning Checklist

It might only be October, but Christmas trading is closer than it looks. Black Friday lands on Friday 27 November this year, and peak season now runs from mid-November right through to the Boxing Day sales. If you want Christmas radio ads, in-store announcements and holiday phone messages that sound polished rather than rushed, now is the time to plan them.

At Media Group, we write, voice and produce seasonal audio for businesses right across Australia. Here’s our practical checklist for getting your holiday audio sorted early.

Why Christmas Advertising in Australia Starts in October

Shoppers are starting earlier every year. When ABS figures showed November 2025 retail turnover reached $39.1 billion, up 7% on the year before, Australian Retailers Association CEO Chris Rodwell said, "November has become a critical peak trading month in its own right" (Retail World).

This year’s buyers are also hunting for value. According to Retail Safari’s 2026 Christmas Shopping Intentions report:

• 35% of Australian gift shoppers plan to spend more than last year, the highest share since 2016
• Average expected gift spend has risen 5% to $698
• Sales, discounts and promotions are the leading influence on Christmas purchases, at 76%

In other words, customers are making decisions early and looking for a reason to choose you. Your message needs to reach them before their minds are made up.

1. Lock In Your Christmas Radio Ads

Why radio works in peak season

Radio reaches people in the car, at work and on the way to the shops, which is exactly when they’re deciding where to spend. A well-written Christmas radio ad with one clear offer and a simple call to action can cut through a very crowded month.

Before you brief your radio commercials, think about:

• One message per ad. Pick your strongest offer and say it clearly.
• Two versions. A Black Friday radio ad for late November, then a Christmas or Boxing Day version you can swap in.
• Booking airtime early. Talk to your station rep now about your schedule.
• A sonic signature. A short seasonal jingle or sound logo helps listeners remember who you are.

2. Refresh Your In-Store Music and Announcements

Once shoppers walk through your door, Christmas in-store announcements keep your specials front of mind while they browse. Our in-store music and messaging works like your own radio station, with music chosen for your customers and professionally voiced announcements scheduled throughout the day.

Seasonal announcement ideas:

• Black Friday and Christmas specials
• Gift cards, lay-by and gift wrapping
• Extended late-night trading hours
• Boxing Day and New Year sales

Our royalty-free music library also means you won’t pay APRA or PPCA fees for those tracks, and you can try it free for 30 days.

3. Update Your Christmas On-Hold Message

December is busy on the phones too. A seasonal Christmas on hold message turns waiting time into useful information instead of dead air. With messages on hold, you can tell callers about:

• Christmas delivery and order cut-off dates
• Gift vouchers and seasonal offers
• Your holiday trading hours

4. Record Your Holiday Trading Hours and After-Hours Messages

If your business closes over the break, a clear holiday trading hours message saves frustrated callers and missed opportunities. Set up your after-hours messages with your closure dates, reopening date and any emergency contact details, and schedule them well before your last day.

Why Real Voices Matter at Christmas

Christmas is an emotional time of year, and warmth is hard to fake. A professional Australian voice artist brings the friendliness and energy that seasonal messages need, and using the same voice across your radio, in-store and phone audio makes your brand instantly recognisable.

Your Christmas Audio Timeline

• October: finalise offers, write scripts and choose your voice
• Early November: record and approve radio ads, in-store announcements and on-hold messages
• Before 27 November: Black Friday ads and announcements go live
• Mid-December: holiday trading hours and closure messages go live
• Late December: swap in Boxing Day and New Year sale messages

Ready to get started? Request a free quote and ask about a free demo. Our team can help with scripting, voice casting and production, so your Christmas audio is ready well before the rush.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start planning Christmas radio ads?

Ideally in October. That gives you time to finalise offers, write and approve scripts, record and book airtime before Black Friday on 27 November.

What should a Christmas on-hold message include?

Keep it short and useful: seasonal offers, gift vouchers, delivery cut-off dates and your holiday trading hours, plus a warm thank-you to your customers.

Do I need a licence to play Christmas music in my store?

Usually, yes. Most commercial music is protected by copyright, and in Australia businesses generally license it through OneMusic, a joint initiative of APRA AMCOS and PPCA (business.gov.au). Royalty-free music from our library avoids APRA and PPCA fees for those tracks.