The experience

Where Christmas
Comes Alive.

This is Christmas the way you remember it — bigger, brighter, and spilling from every corner. Walk in, look up, and let the wonder take over.

A restaurant ceiling completely transformed with ornaments and lights

The concept

We Bring Christmas to You.

We partner with beloved local restaurants and transform their space — floor to ceiling — into a fully immersive holiday wonderland for the months of November and December.

That means you get the magic of a once-a-year Christmas spectacle and the comfort of a real restaurant: a delicious meal, a festive drink, and a cozy table to take it all in. And since the magic lives right inside the restaurant, you can soak it all in any time they’re open.

Friends in festive sweaters laughing together at a Jolly Elf holiday popup

What to expect

Wonder Around Every Corner.

  • Floor-to-ceiling, over-the-top holiday décor in every room
  • Larger-than-life props and photo ops made for sharing
  • Festive food & drink specials from the host restaurant
  • A welcoming, all-ages atmosphere — no ticket required to experience the magic
  • The good feeling of knowing your visit gives back locally

Our purpose

A Platform With a Purpose.

The Jolly Elf exists to enhance the human experience — to spread joy in a way that ripples outward. That joy is built for three groups at once.

For Our Guests

Unforgettable joy and wonder — a real holiday memory in the making, not just another meal out.

For Our Partners

A standout, season-defining guest experience that fills a restaurant with holiday magic.

For Our Communities

Charitable giving that carries the holiday spirit well beyond the restaurant’s walls.

What we stand for

Five Values, One Spirit.

Fun

Joy is the entire point. Every detail is designed to make you smile.

Generosity

We give back — to our communities, our partners, and our guests.

Quality

Over-the-top is never careless. Every detail is intentional.

Respect

Everyone’s welcome — every age, every budget, no exceptions.

Trust

We do what we say, for guests and restaurant partners alike.

Giving back

Every Visit Spreads Cheer.

A portion of proceeds from each popup is donated to a nonprofit serving that community. Here are the partners we’re proud to support this season.

Children's Mercy logoKansas City · Barley’s & Blue Moose
The Salvation Army logoDes Moines Area · Main Street
Care to Learn logoSpringfield · BrewCo

A Good Tidings LLC Experience

Two Names. One Mission. Endless Christmas Magic.

Good Tidings LLC operates two Christmas popup experiences — The Jolly Elf Holiday Popup and the Twinkle Christmas Pop-Up. Both deliver the same over-the-top décor, the same family-friendly spirit, and the same commitment to joy. The only difference is the name on the door.

Learn more about Twinkle →

Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions.

Is there a cover charge or ticket?+
There’s no ticket to buy and no admission fee to experience The Jolly Elf — you just pay for what you order, like any night out. One thing to know: on nights when a host restaurant features live music (a band or DJ), the restaurant may charge its own cover. Reservations aren’t required, but they’re a great idea on busy evenings and weekends.
Is it family-friendly?+
Completely. The Jolly Elf is built for all ages — bring the kids, the grandparents, your date, or the whole crew.
Do I need a reservation?+
Reservations are never required — you’re always welcome to walk in. That said, they’re highly encouraged for busier times like evenings and weekends. Not every host restaurant takes reservations; for those that do, book directly with the restaurant, just like any night out. Find your location on the Locations page.
My reservation mentioned “Twinkle Christmas Pop-Up” — is that the same thing?+
Yes! Twinkle Christmas Pop-Up and The Jolly Elf Holiday Popup are sister experiences, both owned and operated by Good Tidings LLC. Our Kansas City locations at Blue Moose and Barley’s Kitchen + Tap operate under the Twinkle name — same over-the-top Christmas décor, same family-friendly spirit, same commitment to joy. You’re absolutely in the right place. You can also find more about Twinkle at twinklekansascity.com.
When does the popup run?+
The Jolly Elf pops up during November and December. Exact dates for each location are announced soon — get in touch and we’ll keep you posted.
How does the charitable giving work?+
A portion of proceeds from every popup is donated to a local nonprofit serving that community, including Children’s Mercy, The Salvation Army, and Care to Learn.
I own a restaurant — can we host a popup?+
We’d love that. We’re always looking for the right restaurant partners. Tell us about your space on our Contact page and we’ll be in touch.

Ready to See It for Yourself?

Find a Jolly Elf popup near you and start planning your visit — merry mornings, afternoons, and evenings, all season long.

Find a Location Browse the Gallery →