What Events Can DJs Do?

by Chris Brower
Last Updated: December 13, 2021

DJing events is a great way to make a second income or start a new career.

At first thought, you might think the only options for work are weddings, clubs, and festivals, but there really are so many events DJs can perform at.

Even if some of these events aren’t your DJ business’s main focus, they can still help you earn additional income, get your DJing in front of more people, and fill out your schedule.

It’s impossible to list every event a DJ can perform at, because the possibilities are almost endless, but here’s an extensive list to give you ideas.

Weddings

In many cases, unless you’re a famous DJ playing festivals and huge events, weddings are the biggest payday for DJs. Wedding DJs regularly make anywhere from, say, $400 to $4000 an event.

The vast majority of this website is devoted to teaching people how to start a successful wedding DJ business, so dig in to the other articles and the definitive guide when you’re ready to learn how that’s done.

Bars/Clubs

Bars/clubs regularly hire DJs to entertain patrons. This could be as low-key as someone in the corner spinning records as background music, or this could be more upscale, as in an expensive club, where patrons dress up, line up outside, pay big money for bottle service and drinks, and have the whole “club” experience.

Whereas a wedding gig might cover several genres of music, bar/club gigs are often narrowly focused:

EDM/Techno/House
Soul/Funk
Garage Rock
80s

For example, I regularly go to bars around the country, where DJs play soul records from the 1950s and 1960s. Classics like Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder, but also more obscure stuff. When I’m not dancing, I’m using the Shazam app to identify the rare music they’re playing, which was probably found from digging through record store crates. These soul nights often are free or cost $5 at the door. Many are at dive bars.

On the other end are clubs, where you can expect to pay $10, $20, or more to get in and then high prices for drinks. The music is often centered on hip-hop or EDM/house music. These clubs are generally more upscale, with fancier decorations, lights, and sound systems.

Another type of club where DJs perform? Strip clubs. It’s not only playing the music the dancers dance to, it’s also making announcements about who’s coming to the stage next, drink specials, whose car is illegally parked, reminding belligerent patrons of the rules, etc.

Concerts

For DJs who’ve built enough of a following that they’ve outgrown clubs, they might be booked at larger venues and outdoor festivals. DJs at this level include Tiësto, deadmau5, Steve Aoki, and others.

Whereas many DJs play music strictly by other people (such as DJs who perform at weddings, school dances, and corporate events), these DJs usually play their own music or at least music they created from sampling other artists.

They might have huge, insane light shows or other big theatrics. These are truly an event.

Often, people are attending these concerts especially to see this DJ and not because it’s an event for another purpose (wedding, company party, etc.). The exception might be festivals with several artists, where the festival itself is also a big draw.

Ready for the complete guide to becoming a wedding DJ? Here you go.

Company Parties/Holiday Parties

Many companies throw year-end/Christmas/holiday parties. They rent out a venue and hire a DJ to play great music, provide microphones and a sound system for speeches, and throw a great party to show appreciation to their employees and their families.

These usually take place in December or January. Especially in colder cities, weddings often are few and far between in the winter months, so DJing company parties can be a great way to make some money in those “off” months.

Plus, do a great job, and they might hire you again for the following year(s). It’s a great way to get repeat business.

School Dances

Junior/middle and high schools regularly have a few dances each year. They naturally need a DJ.

These jobs are often pretty short (2-4 hours), and, well, remember high school? Things haven’t changed much. Many students just kind of hang out in groups or run around. People at that age are naturally shyer about dancing.

These usually aren’t big pay days (in fact, often quite small), but school dances are another way to make money.

DJing school dances takes a lot of patience. Often, the kids will be running around. Or the principal will be frantically scolding students to stop jumping off the stage or some other behavior (yes, this has happened at school dances I’ve done). Or a huge, never-ending line will form by your DJ table with a long list of requests. It’ll keep you on your toes, no doubt.

Like company parties, do a good job and the school might invite you back over and over again.

The easiest way to get started DJing school dances is simply to contact them, explaining your services. Go to the websites for the schools in your area and email every one. This has netted me some jobs. Mention your experience and that you’re prepared to play music appropriate for that age level. If you’ve DJed other schools in the area, mention those too to further show off your experience.

Bar/Bat Mitzvahs

To celebrate a person of the Jewish faith turning 13, many parents throw a party for their child and hire a DJ. Your DJ services could make their day that much more special.

Plus, there’s a good chance many of the guests are turning 13 soon too. Many of their parents might be in attendance as well. Do a good job and you might book additional jobs.

Charity Events (5Ks, Fundraisers, etc.)

Many charity events hire a DJ to help get the party going. A common example is charity runs, such as 5Ks.

You’re often playing general pump-up music and making occasional announcements.

What can be particularly nice about these events is that many occur in the morning, a time you’re almost certainly not DJing a wedding and are unlikely to have too many other DJ event possibilities.

I’ve DJed a 5K and then a few hours later DJed a wedding – a very profitable day!

Block Parties/Pool Parties

Some neighborhoods put on a block party or a pool party and hire a DJ to provide the music.

These jobs might often happen in the morning/early afternoon, making it again possible to DJ a wedding or other event that night too.

Often you’re just playing fun, summery music. Dancing is less likely. You’re mostly there to provide a fun atmosphere for grilling, socializing, playing in the pool, and more.

Some popular song choices include:

“Steal My Sunshine” (Len).
“Dancing in the Moonlight” (King Harvest).
“Fun, Fun, Fun” (Beach Boys).
“Summertime” (DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince).
“Every Morning” (Sugar Ray).
“Brown-Eyed Girl” (Van Morrison).
“Spiderwebs” (No Doubt).
“Semi-Charmed Life” (Third Eye Blind).
“I’m Walking on Sunshine” (Katrina & the Waves).
“Cake by the Ocean” (DNCE).

Fraternity/Sorority Parties

Whether a year-end party, holiday party, or for some other reason, fraternity/sororities might hire a DJ to make their party really come alive.

Be ready to play some of the most current, hottest songs. This is less likely to be your standard wedding fare like “YMCA,” “Shout!” “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” and others.

There’s always a chance some of the attendees are engaged or might be soon, so be sure to interact well with the crowd and play exactly what they want, and you could get some more bookings.

Birthday Parties

People have a birthday every year, don’t they? Occasionally, some people hire a DJ for the occasion.

The birthdays where a DJ is hired are often the particularly “important” ones (example, 16), or a party for someone more advanced in age (70, 80, etc.).

There might not be much dancing. You might just be playing background music. But these can often be a chance to play some fun, different music – stuff you might not normally be able to play at weddings.

A couple years ago I got hired to DJ a surprise birthday party for a man turning 70. I was told he liked a lot of classic rock, so it gave me a chance to play songs by such bands as:

Creedence Clearwater Revival
The Moody Blues
Steve Winwood
The Grateful Dead
The Lovin’ Spoonful
Grand Funk Railroad

Graduation Parties

Upon graduating from high school or college, people might throw a party and hire a DJ. It's a great idea to play a lot of current music that's been popular during their time in high school or college.

I once got hired to DJ a high schooler's graduation party. The parents had me set up outside, where practically no one hung out. So, I was mostly playing music to no one (well, myself), while people ate finger sandwiches inside. But hey, it was a paycheck!

Class Reunions

Similarly, you could get hired to DJ a class reunion. 10 years, 20 years, etc.

It again can be fun to tailor your song selection to particular songs that were popular during the period this group was in high school or college (whatever the situation is). Nostalgia is a major part of DJing these events.

Class reunions are usually more about socializing and reconnecting with old friends than dancing, but you might get some dancing.

One time I DJed a 20-year high school reunion, and my dental hygienist was in attendance. So, you know, make sure you floss beforehand just in case...

Anniversary Parties

Couples celebrating an anniversary might hire a DJ to provide music for a party.

Often times, it's another family member reaching out to hire a DJ for their parents' special anniversary (50 years, 60 years, etc.).

You naturally want to tailor the music to their generation or whatever requests you get.

Rehearsal Dinners

One time a couple hired me to DJ their wedding and the rehearsal dinner the night before! A great way to get two bookings from the same client.

Their rehearsal dinner was at an outdoor gazebo. I set up one speaker*, hooked up a microphone for any announcements, and played fun background music.

There wasn't any dancing, and I didn't expect there to be. Instead, it was people socializing, drinking, and eating BBQ (and I got some BBQ too!).

Store Events

Special sale? Special promotion or launch of a new product?

Stores occasionally hire DJs to further add to the party atmosphere and make these events even more fun for their attendees.

You can contact stores in your area, so you can be on their radar in case something comes up and they need a DJ.

Contests

Hot-dog-eating contest? Talent competition?

Any sort of event where people are competing can use music and sometimes an emcee to make announcements, pump up the crowd, and keep the party going.

Fashion Shows

Someone's gotta play that runway music.

Sporting Events

Whether the game itself (someone has to pick and play the music throughout sporting events) or special events, such as pep rallies and postgame celebrations, a DJ could be called on to keep the crowd pumped up and having a great time.

You'll want to know if the team has any signature songs fans always want to hear, such as a song played at every home game. If it's a school sporting event, make sure you have their school fight song ready to play.

Funerals

Yeah, it can happen - one time I got asked to DJ a funeral. This possibility had never occurred to me.

Perhaps it's not surprising. Many people often want particular songs played at a funeral, and they can't always rely on an organist to play them.

Plus, there are likely going to be speeches, so a DJ can provide a microphone. Any speeches will likely be done at a podium. If the podium doesn't have its own microphone, bring yours and a microphone stand with a boom arm, so the person can have their hands free to hold notes, tissues, etc.

And More...

DJs can be asked to perform at almost anything. While the vast majority of your jobs might be weddings, these other gigs can fill out your calendar, get you more attention, and help you build up your DJ business.

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