There are a handful of seasonal businesses that need temporary employees to work the holidays. So, if you only have availability during spooky season, are looking for something fun to do this Christmas, or just want to make some extra cash during the holidays, then a short-term holiday job could be perfect for you. Most seasonal holiday jobs are entry level, requiring little to no experience, and are a great way to make some extra cash. To provide you with some options, below is a list of short-term holiday jobs that anyone can work this upcoming season!
Photo Credit: Micheile Henderson
What to Know About Seasonal Holiday Jobs
What are seasonal holiday jobs?
These seasonal holiday jobs are short-term job opportunities that take place in the fall and winter season between the months of September and January. They are temporary jobs that hire seasonal workers to operate their business during the busy season.
Where can you find seasonal holiday jobs?
Many holiday seasonal jobs can be found via a quick google search or on general job search websites like Indeed. Any notable job search resources will be mentioned under the respective job listed below.
What is the time commitment like for holiday temp jobs?
While the contract may only be 1-3 months long, the actual time commitment will vary depending on the job itself. Some jobs require workers to be available during the weekends, at night, or during odd hours of the day. These are not remote jobs and they do expect their employees to work on-site.
What are the perks of working a holiday job?
These jobs are great if you want a fun experience or are looking to make some extra cash for the holidays. Some may come with added perks like access to events, tickets, food, or merchandise. They are also a great opportunity if you need to fill some time between jobs or are looking to acquire specific skills to add to your resume.
9 Short-Term Seasonal Holiday Jobs
Photo Credit: Elizabeth Villalta
1. Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze Staff
Overview
Early-September through November marks the fall season in the USA and it would not be fall without the return of pumpkins. Many farms in the USA run 'pick your own' pumpkin patches, fall family festivals, and corn maze challenges this time of year. Depending on the specifics of their business they need a multitude of staff to help run the operation.
Job Options
Pumpkin Picker
Corn Maze Attendant
Tour Assistant
Cashier
Food Service
Activity Operator
Hayride Driver
Games Attendant
Tickets
Farm Hand
Face Painter
and more...
Job Search
Use general job websites like Indeed
Google search: Corn maze or pumpkin patch near me, family farms near me, pumpkin patch job openings, farms with corn mazes, pick your own pumpkin staff wanted, etc...
Photo Credit: Leon Ephraim
2. Cider Mill & Apple Orchard Employee
Overview
August through October/November marks apple season in the USA and that means that cider mills and 'pick your own apple' orchards are open for the season. If you love apple cider donuts, picking your own apples, and the general fall aesthetic, this could be a good place for you to work. If you find you really enjoy working at a cider mill you can also find some of these business open year round.
Job Options
Donut Maker
Apple Picker
Food Service
Barista
Farm Hand
Grounds Keeper
Tasting Room
Cashier
Gift Shop
Pastry Baker
Bartender
and more...
Job Search
Use general job websites like Indeed
Google search: apple cider mills near me, family apple orchard job openings, apple farms currently hiring, pick your own apple orchard jobs, work at a cider mill, etc...
Photo Credit: Charlie Wollborg
3. Haunted House Staff
Overview
During September and October haunted houses start reappearing all over the USA. The people who pop out from the shadowy hallways of these horrifying mansions are paid actors and you can be one of them! Some haunted houses are family run and others are larger corporations, but all need help to run their events during spooky season. If a haunted house isn't your style you can also try for a haunted corn maze or carnival.
Job Options
Scare Actor
Tickets
Merchandise
Make-up
Props
Line Attendant
Parking Attendant
Food and Beverage Attendant
Lighting and Sound Technicians
and more...
Job Search
Find haunted houses near you on Fright Find
Search theme parks with fright nights; Universal, Cedar Point, Six Flags, etc...
Use general job websites like Indeed
Google search: haunted house job openings, seasonal scare actors wanted, haunted corn mazes currently hiring, haunted houses near me, etc...
Photo Credit: Sean Foster
4. Christmas Tree Farms & Lots
Overview
Christmas tree production is a year-round job, but the busy season starts when tree sales begin in October and run until Christmas. During this time, tree farms need to hire more staff members to help assist costumers looking to purchase Christmas trees and cash out other merchandise. A lot of these jobs require heavy lifting but a few are hands off when it comes to handling the trees themselves. If you are a lover of the smell of evergreens and the aesthetic of Christmas, you may have found your holiday job.
Job Options
Tree Handler
Farmworker
Sales
Cashier
Gift Shop
Greeter
Inventory
Truck or Tractor Driver
and more...
Job Search
Search tree farms via the National Christmas Tree Association and your specific state's tree association
Use seasonal job websites like Coolworks
Use general job websites like Indeed
Google search: Christmas tree farms near me, Christmas tree lot job openings, tree farms hiring near me, work at a Christmas tree farm, Christmas tree and wreath sale jobs, etc...
Photo Credit: Tim Mossholder
5. Holiday Light Installer
Overview
October through mid-December is when people pay professional holiday light companies to come install their Christmas lights. Of course, these companies need some extra hands around this time to do the actual installation or help with sales. If you are comfortable getting up on a ladder to install Christmas lights on houses and business around town then this job can help you bring in a good chunk of change this season.
Job Options
Light Installer
Decorator
Sales
Truck or Lift Operator
Lighting Technician
Job Search
Search career pages of home renovation companies like Home Depot or Lowes
Use seasonal job websites like Coolworks
Use general job websites like Indeed
Google Search: light installation companies near me, Christmas light installation jobs hiring now, holiday light installation jobs, etc...
Photo Credit: Jason Mata
6. Santa's Helpers
Overview
With Santa being so busy this time of year, he needs lots of Christmas elves and helpers to spread the joy of the season for people of all ages. Usually the season starts in November and runs through New Years but it varies depending on the event. You can find these jobs in malls, public or private events, theme parks, family farms, and holiday celebrations across the USA. If you prefer, you can also volunteer in these positions at hospitals and fundraisers.
Job Options
Santa
Christmas Elves
Mrs. Clause
Santa's Helpers & Friends
Photographers
Line Attendants
Sales and Tickets
Job Search
Use databases like; Santa Clause Jobs
Use general job websites like Indeed
Google search: Santa's helper jobs, Christmas character openings near me, mall Santa jobs near me, work as a Christmas Elf, hiring Santa's helpers, Mrs. Clause needed, etc...
Photo Credit: Alsu Vershinina
7. Christmas Festival & Fair Staff
Overview
Christmas and holiday festivals, fairs, and markets pop up all over the USA throughout November and December. Some are only a weekend long and others last weeks at a time. These events take a lot of coordination and set up and that means job opportunities of all kinds. Take a look at upcoming events in the surrounding towns near you and see what job options could work.
Job Options
Event Set Up
Food & Beverage
Santa's Helpers
Craft and Games Attendants
Tickets and Sales
Event Coordinator
Event Clean Up
and more...
Job Search
Use general job websites like Indeed
Google search: Christmas market employment opportunities, Christmas festival staff needed near me, Christmas fair near me, Christmas festival jobs, holiday festivals near me, fall festivals hiring staff, etc...
Photo Credit: Juliana Malta
8. Holiday Gift Wrapper
Overview
Not everyone enjoys wrapping their holiday gifts, so they outsource this task to holiday gift wrappers. These jobs are popular in November and December and are stationed at local shopping malls, department stores, and other businesses. If you are not perfect at gift wrapping they will train you or give you another task. If you are in need of an indoor job that does not require much movement or heavy lifting, this may be a good option.
Job Options
Gift Wrapper
Cashier
Sales
Job Search
Inquire at shopping malls and department stores near you
Use general job websites like Indeed
Google search: holiday gift wrapping jobs, holiday gift wrappers needed, wrap gifts for the holidays, Christmas present wrapping jobs, etc...
Photo Credit: Pelle Martin
9. Catering & Event Staff
Overview
Public and private events happen all throughout the holiday season; Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve. These large events need freelance waitstaff, bartenders, and other staff members to help the event go smoothly. If you want to decorate, sling drinks, or hand out trays of tasty treats, then try your hand at one of these jobs.
Job Options
Waitstaff
Bartender
Kitchen Staff
Event Set Up
Event Breakdown
Event Coordinator
Job Search
Use websites and companies that outsource event staff, like Simply Serving
Use general job websites like Indeed
Google search: staff needed for holiday event, New Years Eve event staff needed, holiday party waitstaff jobs, catered event staff needed, etc...
Conclusion
There are many job options and work locations that offer short-term holiday work. Whether you are looking to make some extra income this holiday season or just want something fun to do, hopefully this list provided you with some ideas for holiday jobs. What holiday jobs have worked for you? Let us know in the comments below!
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