On November 21, 2025, thousands of people gathered in Millennium Park to watch the official Christmas tree come to life in Chicago. But hours later two shootings in the nearby business district left one person dead and eight others wounded. The same day, gunfire outside an annual tree lighting in Concord, North Carolina, left four people injured.
Large events spill out into the surrounding streets, transit stations and plazas — places where holiday festival event security needs to be provided. Holiday tree lightings, markets, and menorah lightings across the country all include elements of crowds in open-air venues, with guests who are comfortable and relaxed, and many of these events start this month. November is the time to plan.
Why Holiday Festivals Demand Stronger Event Security
Holiday events are known for their large gatherings with open perimeters, evening hours and a steady stream of vendors and volunteers.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) warns that vehicle attacks require little capability but have the potential to wreak havoc on crowded places that have little visible security. Festivals fit that description because guests come to relax and organizers want the event to feel inviting.
Good security protects that feeling. It works in the background and reacts quickly to changes.
Build a Holiday Festival Security Plan That Works
Start With a Crowd Safety Security Assessment
Walk the site first. Note entry points, access for vehicles, choke points, and areas of low lighting. Estimate the number of people that will be present at the tree lighting or main performance where crowds are likely to surge. Have the observations compiled into a written security assessment that your team can follow.
Control Vehicle Access With Traffic Control and Barriers
Federal guidance from the NCTC, DHS and FBI recommends a layered approach using traffic management combined with physical barriers that are routinely maintained.
Implementation includes:
- Closing access roads early and ensuring closure by local authorities
- Installation of barriers at points where approaching traffic could accelerate toward the crowd
- Staffing of all emergency gates by an officer
- Traffic control officers for managing drop-off, parking and pedestrian traffic
Staff Entry Points and Vendor Credentialing
Vendors, volunteers, and performers generally have free movement throughout the site. Ensure that each of them is credential-checked with a badge check at service entrance. For guests, set up signs stating the bag policy and what items are forbidden, and post officers in a manner that allows them to see the line without obstructing it.
Plan Emergency Access and Evacuation Routes
Ambulances and fire trucks need a clear path, and that path needs an officer to protect it. Map at least two evacuation routes away from the main crowd area. Brief every staff member and volunteer on the routes, and share the plan with local police and fire officials before the event.
Why Law Enforcement-Led Event Security Changes the Outcome
Equipment and headcount only go so far. Judgment matters more. Blue Star staffs every assignment with state-certified active- and retired law enforcement officers trained in public safety and crisis response. Our team of tactical response, counter-terrorism and major investigation experts know how to read crowds like a script. They cut through the fog to act decisively and deploy clear communication to first responders in the event of an emergency.
We develop the security plan around the event’s operations, rather than layering security on top of it, so your guests can enjoy the festival and your team maintains control.
Planning a holiday event? Talk to our team about event security.
Not sure where your gaps are? Learn about our security assessments.
Holiday Festival Security: FAQs
How far in advance should we plan holiday festival security?
Start at least six to eight weeks out. That gives you time to complete a risk assessment, coordinate road closures and permits, and brief staff before the first guest arrives.
Do small community events require professional security?
Yes. Any gathering with open access, large crowds and near-by vehicle traffic should have a trained, organized security team and a detailed plan.
What does an event security assessment include?
It covers entry and exit points, vehicle approach routes, crowd density, lighting, emergency access and staffing needs. The result is a clear, prioritized plan.
Can Blue Star handle security and traffic control for the same event?
Yes. Blue Star provides event security and traffic control as part of one coordinated plan, so your perimeter, roads and crowd are managed together.
