Planning Events for the Festive Period? These TEN Deadlines Matter
As the nights draw in and autumn quickly approaches, many Christmas parties and events enter the planning stages. It might seem early but the festive period will soon be upon us. Events such as a Christmas party, a seasonal bar or a pub wanting to keep the New Year celebrations running long into the night (and morning), may require a TEN so now is the time to get your licensing arrangements in order.
Temporary Event Notices (TENs)are suitable for small scale, temporary events (parties/gatherings) in England and Wales and can authorise licensable activities, including activities outside the scope of an existing premises licence. However, strict deadlines and annual limits apply, and the Christmas bank holidays leave fewer working days than you might expect so you need to allow plenty of time for event planning, especially in the run up to the festive season. There is an administrative process involved in applying for the notice to the relevant local authority where your event is based so this needs to be included in your planning.
Before you start advertising those extended hours or put tickets on sale, there are a few things to consider first.
When do you need a TEN for a Christmas event?
A Christmas or New Year event may require a TEN if alcohol will be on sale, hot food or drink will be on sale between 11pm and 5am or entertainment that requires licensing permission will be provided. For some premises, these activities may be authorised by an existing premises licence so it’s important to review existing licences to check whether a TEN is required.
Typical examples of events you might need a TEN for include a ticketed Christmas party with drinks included, a mulled wine stall at a community event or a pub looking to serve alcohol outside its usual licensed hours. A temporary outdoor bar may also require separate consideration if it sits outside the area covered by the premises licence.
Our team can help you establish whether a TEN is required for your event.
Check your premises licence first
The first step when hosting a festive event is to review your existing premises licence if you have one. Check the permitted activities, licensed area, hours and conditions, including special timings for Christmas and New Year. Your proposed event may already be covered without the need for a TEN.
However, it’s also important to note that existing permission to sell alcohol may not cover every aspect of your event. And, if you plan to serve hot food after 11pm, check your late night refreshment permissions too.
If you’re looking to extend your opening hours on a more regular basis, rather than just for an occasional event, a premises licence variation may be more appropriate.
How far in advance do you need to apply for a Christmas TEN?
You must submit the notice to the licensing authority responsible for the area in which your event will take place. For a standard TEN, you’ll need to apply at least 12 working days before the event. For a late TEN, apply between seven and nine working days before the event. However, with festive TENs, the sooner you apply the better.
The deadlines outlined above are the minimum notice periods required for a TEN. Aim to submit your application well ahead of these, allowing time to check the details and address any concerns. A late TEN offers much less room to resolve an objection, potentially putting your event at risk.
Christmas and New Year TEN deadlines for 2026
Here are the latest application dates for events being held across the festive period. Ensure your application is submitted ahead of these to ensure your event is able to go ahead.
Event start date | Standard TEN deadline | Late TEN deadline |
Christmas Eve Thursday 24th December | Wednesday 9th December | Wednesday 16th December |
Christmas Day Friday 25th December | Thursday 10th December | Wednesday 16th December |
Boxing Day Saturday 26th December | Thursday 10th December | Wednesday 16th December |
Sunday 27th December | Thursday 10th December | Wednesday 16th December |
Monday 28th December | Thursday 10th December | Wednesday 16th December |
New Year’s Eve Thursday 31st December | Monday 14th December | Monday 21st December |
New Year’s Day Friday 1st January | Monday 14th December | Monday 21st December |
The late TEN column shows the final day of the permitted late-notice window and is not a recommended submission date. We recommend you apply as early as possible and check deadlines with the relevant authority.
TEN limits to check
A TEN is designed for smaller, temporary events but there are limits imposed on how many individuals and particular premises are able to apply for within the year.
Non-licence holders are able to apply for 5 TENs per year (2 can be late) and personal licence holders can apply for 50 per year (10 can be late). The premises (building or land) itself can have 15 TENs covering no more than 21 days per calendar year.
Late TENs count within your overall personal allowance and are not additional to your annual allowance. An event that crosses midnight may use two days of the venue’s annual allowance. Check the full limits for your premises and the individual submitting the notice before finalising your event.
A maximum of 499 people can be present at the event under a TEN, which includes guests, staff, organisers and performers. Remember this is the total number of people present at the event, not just the number of attendees.
Can I apply for multiple TENs for consecutive days?
One TEN can cover a period of up to seven days, so an event that lasts more than one day does not automatically require a separate notice for each day.
For separate TENs at the same premises, a minimum 24-hour gap applies.
What if my TEN is rejected?
For standard TENs, you may appeal the decision through a hearing. For late TENs, if objected to, the event cannot proceed, and there is no appeal process. This is why it is essential to allow plenty of time when applying for a TEN, especially for a seasonal event. You can find out more about the objections and appeals process on the government website.
Do I still need a TEN if I’m giving away alcohol for free?
Yes, if you’re intending to include alcohol in the entry fee or ticket price, or provided in exchange for a donation, this is considered a licensable activity and will require a TEN. For example, a Christmas party that includes a free glass of prosecco still involves alcohol supplied in return for payment. You may require a TEN if your existing licence does not cover this or you’re hosting a temporary event.
Ensure your Christmas event licensing is sorted early
When organising festive events and getting staff rotas and festive menus in place, it’s easy for licensing to slip down the list of things to do. Getting the application sorted now, ahead of the deadline will help you plan around the permissions you already have and gives you time to address any gaps or objections.
At Complete Licensing, we can review your existing licence, check whether a TEN is suitable and help prepare and submit the notice. Send us your event dates, venue details, proposed activities and expected attendance, along with any existing premises licence.
Planning a Christmas party or New Year’s celebration? Get help with your Temporary Event Notice or call 0207 222 2345 to discuss your plans.
