Do you have to pay to see your kids nativity?

[Hightideattheseaside]

My kids state primary charges £5 per person per performance. Two kids in different shows with three performances each. It’s nice for someone to be at each one so share out the attendance between parents and grandparents. But the Kids also want to see each others. So that’s £40 to see the nativity.

Anyone else’s school charge?

Ours is free, and there's usually a donation bucket for a local charity. I wouldn't be keen on them charging for the show, but I think selling tea and coffee can be a good middle ground (if they have the manpower).

I wouldn't be going to every performance, though - apart from not having the time, I think it's good for children to understand that you can't go to everything, and that there isn't space for everyone to go multiple times.

No charge and there's only one show.

Absolutely not. There’s a donation bucket for a local charity. It’s a small school with a lot of families who are struggling with basics like food and appropriate shoes, there’d be outrage if the nativity charged £5 a ticket!

Nativity no.
KS2 play yes (£2 a ticket)
There is tea and coffee and snacks on sale, plus a raffle. So they get money from that.

Its £5 for a ticket to see the Secondary school musical which is quite an impressive performance. (And a lot more associated costs for costumes, licensing etc)

No charge just raffle tickets with no pressure at all to buy. I actually think that's awful especially £5 each. I wouldn't go to three performances free or not though

I’m surprised by how many people go to every show. Our school is pretty clear you go to one performance and there isn’t enough seating for more than 2 tickets per child. There’s no charge but last week was the Christmas fair so we’ve already done the raffle/mince pie/ Christmas homemade tat bit.

No charge at ours, 2 performances and max of 2 adults can go to one performance only

Ours is free with a donation bucket at the end for Nursery, Reception and KS1. The KS2 performances are free too, with donation bucket and the PTA sell drinks and mince pies at the KS2 performances at the church. We don't have tickets or restrictions on attendance (we do ask due to space and capacity to only bring 2 adults per child per performance which is generally adhered to). I know after some absolute CF by some parents the last few years (bringing 8 people per performance) it is something that is been discussed to bring in for next year as due to said CFs some parents were unable to get into the hall to see the performance as the CFs had taken over the seats and standing area. It's sad as it's a case of a small number of CFs (6 families with children across both key stages bringing 6-8 adults for every performance) ruining it for others, but the entitlement and attitude from these parents when the head pulled them to the side about it means that it's likely to be a ticketed event next year.

No charge for tickets. There is a PFA raffle and refreshments to pay for if you want to.

Ours was free, max 2 tickets but we had to run a gauntlet via charity buckets, coffee, mince pies etc. And my favourite, the raffle (donated prizes were so shit most people didn't admit to having the winning ticket and we had to sit through a ridiculous number of redraws 😂).

Most prizes looked like something found in the attic of recently deceased spinster Great Aunt Mable.

No charge for the infant nativity. Outrageous - I'd bill them for my child's time and talent!

No, indie though. Mince pies and mulled wine served after.

Nope.
They do have a small cake/hot drinks stall to raise money for the PTA instead.

No, and I don't agree with it.
We have a donation bucket. I donated £1

No!

They have different performances on of an evening every year or so, which is optional for the children and they will charge for. Also hold carols in the local church which is £10 per adult.

But not the Christmas show, no.

£1.50 per ticket max two per household. Two performances. Total cost £3.

Iinitially tickets are limited to 2 per child with a couple of weeks for people to buy to help ensure everyone can get a ticket. Then any left over are put on sale. I only go to one performance and my husband goes to another and then grand parents to one. I’m lucky that I can afford to pay to go to all. But I know it would be a struggle for some. And kids like to see a face they know when they’re on stage.

I'm more than happy to donate and will be buying raffle tickets as well in the hope of winning shit wine. I just wonder if it’s better to do the donation bucket approach like some schools seem to in order to take the pressure off those that might be struggling to afford things at Christmas.

They don’t hire any equipment and most costumes are provided by the parents so all money goes to the school. Which is great.

Thanks for the replies. Interesting to read all the different ways it’s done.