From five-minute Dutch crowns to polished braided updos, these are the braids that make long hair look festive without the fuss.
TL;DR
- 22 braided Christmas hairstyles for long hair, from five-minute looks to polished updos.
- Dutch, French, fishtail, and crown braids, plus ribbon and accessory ideas.
- Suits any skill level, outfit, or festive occasion.
Long hair and braids were practically made for the holidays. Between hugging relatives, basting the turkey, unwrapping gifts, and dancing around the kitchen, a braid keeps everything in place while still looking intentional — which is exactly why the best Christmas hairstyles for long hair lean on braids.
This season, the festive details are doing most of the talking. Satin ribbons, braided bows, and soft, vintage-leaning styling are all turning up in Marie Claire’s holiday hairstyle roundup, which means even the simplest plait can feel dressed up with the right finishing touch.
A little prep goes a long way, too. Contributors to FASHION Magazine’s Beauty Panel point to slightly damp hair, a touch of mousse or gel, and a wide-tooth comb as the secret to braids that hold their shape. Meanwhile, the pros featured in Bustle’s holiday hair guide suggest pearl or rhinestone accents as an easy way to make any look read as festive.
Ahead, 22 braided styles to inspire your own holiday hair — whether you prefer a five-minute Dutch crown for Christmas morning or a polished fishtail updo for dinner, there is a braid here for every outfit, occasion, and skill level.
Dutch Braid Crown (Halo Braid)
Starting at one temple and circling the head like a wreath, a Dutch braid crown (aka halo braid) frames the face in raised, dimensional texture. The under-over weave lets the braid sit on top of the hair instead of blending in, which makes the detail stand out in photos. Luxy Hair notes that a regular three-strand, French, or fishtail braid can stand in when Dutch feels tricky. Think: romantic, polished, and surprisingly quick.
Half-Up Dutch Halo Braid
Half of the hair stays loose in soft waves while a Dutch braid circles the crown, keeping length on display and the look relaxed rather than formal. One contributor to FASHION Magazine’s Beauty Panel calls this half-up halo a personal go-to, and it makes a flattering braided Christmas hairstyle for long hair that moves easily from morning to evening. Pairing it with lived-in texture, like the waves in these beach hairstyles for long hair, keeps the finish breezy.
Double Dutch Braids
Two Dutch braids running from the front hairline to the ends feel youthful, secure, and well suited to a day of cooking and hosting. Celebrity hairstylist Justine Marjan suggests starting each side from a small triangle beside a center part, then leaving the braids sleek for a clean finish or gently pulling them apart for something more ethereal. A satin bow at each end adds a sweet seasonal flourish.
Dueling French Braids
Messy-on-purpose French braids, one on each side of a center part, strike the right note for tree trimming, baking, and cozy evenings at home. A HollywoodLife holiday tutorial begins with a volumizing spray on dry hair, then adds a little hair from the side with each crossover. Rhinestone clips or small leather bows at the ends turn an everyday plait into something festive and wonderfully undone.
Waterfall Braid on Curled Lengths
A waterfall braid lets sections of hair cascade down from the braid itself, creating a fairylike drape across the back of the head. Curling the hair before braiding, as Philips suggests for an extra-festive finish, adds bounce to those released strands. Soft, glossy ringlets falling beneath the braid give the whole look a storybook quality that suits a candlelit dinner.
Side Fishtail Braid
Draped over one shoulder, a fishtail braid has a tightly woven, herringbone texture that makes long hair look intricate with very little effort. Loosening the edges slightly after braiding softens the pattern and adds width, an approach that works especially well with a velvet or satin dress. Pro tip: a slim metallic elastic at the end brings in just enough sparkle without competing with the braid.
Dutch Fishtail Braid
Combining the fishtail technique with a Dutch braid creates a raised, scale-like pattern that reads as holiday-party ready. A holiday party hairstyle roundup from AOL singles out the fishtail as a natural fit for longer hair at gatherings, date nights, and everything in between. The dimension is especially striking on shiny or softly highlighted lengths. Think: textured, intricate, and elegant.
Ribbon-Laced Three-Strand Braid
Weaving a satin ribbon through a classic three-strand braid is one of the quickest ways to make a simple plait feel like Christmas morning. The ribbon acts as the third strand, so the ends finish in a neat bow, as shown in TeleTies’ holiday hair guide. Festive prints add playfulness, while solid red, forest green, or champagne gold keep things more refined. The result is soft, romantic, and unmistakably seasonal.
Braided Bow Bun
A braided ponytail folded into two loops and pinned at the center forms a bow-shaped bun that feels polished and playful at once. Braided bows are among the standout details in this season’s holiday hair trends, according to Marie Claire, and the shape looks especially sweet at the crown with a few loose strands framing the face. It is the kind of detail that makes a plain top knot feel gift-wrapped.
Braided Low Space Buns
Two French braids, one on each side, finishing in low buns near the nape give a whimsical spin on the usual space buns. This look appears among the quick styles in AOL’s holiday party roundup, which makes it a handy option for a speedy change between dinner and dessert. Tiny metallic pins or velvet scrunchies add holiday color. Soft, playful, and easy to wear all evening.
Braided Headband
Two slim braids set just above the ears and pinned across the crown create a headband made entirely of hair. FASHION Magazine’s Beauty Panel highlights this look for its tidy finish, and it keeps the front neat while the rest of the hair flows in waves or sleek lengths. Tucking the braid ends beneath the opposite side with bobby pins keeps the effect seamless and refined.
Braided High Ponytail
A high ponytail with the length woven into one long braid brings sleek, swingy energy to a holiday outfit. The style holds up beautifully through long evenings, which is why it pairs well with the secure, movement-friendly ideas in these dance hairstyles. A satin ribbon or metallic clip at the base adds the festive finishing note, and the braid’s ridges catch the light as it moves.
Low Braided Bun (Braided Chignon)
A loose three-strand braid at the nape, wrapped into a low chignon, delivers the soft, feminine finish of an updo with only a few minutes at the mirror. A FASHION Magazine tutorial breaks this look into five simple steps. Gently expanding the bun with your fingers afterward, a finishing move Matrix recommends for its messy chignon, adds a relaxed, lived-in shape.
Fishtail Braided Updo
A fishtail braid pinned into an updo leans toward the formal side, making it a strong option for a dressy dinner or New Year’s gathering. Prose’s holiday hair guide notes that the fishtail brings plenty of holiday cheer, especially when styled up with extra details like pins or small accessories. For more elegant updo inspiration in the same spirit, these mother of the groom hairstyles offer a helpful reference. Refined, structured, and ready for a long night.
Crown Braid with Bun
A braided crown circling the head and meeting a bun at the back combines two classics into one regal silhouette. Luxy Hair includes a Dutch crown with a bun among its easy holiday styles that require only basic braiding skills. Keeping the braid slightly loose and widened gives it extra fullness, which makes this an especially nice option for fine or thinner hair.
Side-Swept Lace Braid
Sweeping the hair to one side and weaving it into a lace braid has an easy, boho-chic feel that suits relaxed Christmas Day dressing. The open, airy weave shows off length while keeping hair away from the face. Gold or jeweled hair ties at the end add a soft pop of sparkle without overwhelming the style. Think: breezy, romantic, and a little undone.
Ladder Braid Half-Up
With its rung-like pattern of woven sections, a ladder braid looks complex but follows a repeating, approachable rhythm. Worn half-up, it holds the front sections neatly off the face while the rest of the hair falls in loose curls. The woven rungs catch the light nicely, especially with a thin satin ribbon threaded through for a hint of holiday color.
Bubble Braid Ponytail
Strictly speaking, a bubble braid is not woven at all — sections of a ponytail are secured with elastics and gently puffed out to create a row of rounded bubbles. TeleTies recommends alternating spiral hair ties or mini clips in holiday colors, which makes the style ideal for baking and gift wrapping. The shape is playful, whimsical, and quick enough to redo between courses.
Pull-Through Braid
A pull-through braid is built from a series of small ponytails, each one tucked through the section above it, which produces a chunky, rope-like braid with plenty of volume. Because every section is secured with an elastic, the result stays put and is forgiving for beginners. A single gold hair tie at each link brings in the sparkle, and the finished braid looks full and sculpted from top to tip.
Pearl-Accented Side Braid
A simple side braid becomes holiday-worthy with a scattering of pearls. Hairstylist Juliana Ohlmeyer, quoted by Bustle, favors pearl or rhinestone stickers as an easy way to dress up a look, and the tiny gems catch candlelight along the ridges of the braid. Mini pearl pins at the crown create a similar effect. Elegant, delicate, and timeless.
Cornrow Braids with Gold Cuffs
Sleek cornrows leading into long, flowing braids showcase neat, graphic lines, and a few gold cuffs placed along the length turn the style into a festive statement. The sculpted pattern pairs just as well with a cozy sweater as with a dressier piece. For more inspiration on this timeless technique, these cornrow braids for Black women over 60 explore neat and chic options. Polished, structured, and made for photos.
Knotless Braids with Gold Thread Wraps
Waist-length knotless braids have a natural-looking base that falls with beautiful movement, making them a standout braided Christmas hairstyle for long hair. Wrapping a few braids in gold thread or finishing the ends with tiny beads adds a festive shimmer without much fuss. Styled half-up in a top bun or left loose down the back, the length and gloss glow beneath twinkling lights.
Elsa Claire is the founder and editor of ElsaClaire.com, where she writes about hairstyles, hair care, and the everyday routines that help real people feel good about their hair.
