End-of-year celebrations and holiday performances can be a tremendous source of joy and accomplishment for a dance studio or school dance program. It can also be a source of anxiety for students, teachers, and families navigating time pressures and expectations. The author provides some guidelines for moving through the holiday season with a minimum of stress. Holding a brief parent meeting in person or online where parents can ask questions about expectations can relieve some of the ambiguity, especially for parents of first-time performers. Reflective questions are aimed at ensuring the dance program, whether at an independent studio or K-12 school, builds and supports a community of caring. Learning to dance is a lifelong process and growth can be gradual. Performances can be a way to recognize that progress and celebrate what has been learned. Environments that focus solely or mainly on excellence to the exclusion of progress can add to the strain of the performance experience. Building moments of fun and relaxation into the schedule will not only make the rehearsals more productive, but will enhance a young dancer's experience of performing and the community that can be built from that kind of involvement. Managing expectations for children and families, reinforcing the values of a community of caring through actions, recognizing progress in students, and leaving room for fun can all make for a more rewarding holiday performance experience.