How do I prevent noise complaints for my party?

Notify neighbors in advance, keep music inside, close windows, and monitor the volume of guests leaving the party late at night.

Holiday Parties and Noise: A Guide to Celebrating Considerately

Published on: October 25, 2025

Key Takeaways

Planning a holiday get-together? Here are some simple tips to ensure your party is memorable for your guests, not your neighbors.

1. Give Your Neighbors a Heads-Up

This is the single most important step. A little advance warning can work wonders for generating goodwill. A week or so before your party, let your immediate neighbors (next door, upstairs, and downstairs) know about your plans. You can do this with a friendly knock on the door or a simple note.

"Hi neighbor! Just a friendly heads-up, we're having a small holiday party on Saturday, the 25th, from 7 PM to about 11 PM. We'll do our best to keep the noise down, but here's my number if it gets too loud. Happy holidays!"

Providing your contact information shows you're being proactive and gives them a direct line to you instead of the landlord or police.

Create a Printable "Party Notice"

Use our free tool to draft and print a friendly, professional notice for your hallway or neighbors' doors.

2. Be Mindful of the Bass

It's often not the volume of the music, but the low-frequency bass that travels through walls and floors and causes the most disturbance. If you have a subwoofer, consider turning it down or off entirely, especially as the night goes on. Moving speakers away from shared walls can also help significantly.

3. Know Your Local Quiet Hours

Even with a friendly heads-up, you're still expected to abide by your city's noise ordinance. Be aware of when your local quiet hours begin (typically 10 PM or 11 PM) and plan to transition your party accordingly. This is the time to turn the music way down and encourage guests who are leaving to be quiet in the hallways or on the street.

Not sure about the rules in your city?

Use our AI-powered search tool to get a clear summary of your local noise ordinance instantly.

4. Manage Your Guests' Departure

Often, the loudest part of a party is when multiple groups of guests are leaving at once, talking and laughing in the hallway or on the sidewalk. As a host, try to manage this. When you see people getting ready to leave, politely ask them to keep their voices down as they exit the building. A small sign on the inside of your door can also serve as a gentle reminder.

5. The Day After

If your party did go a little later or louder than planned, a quick, apologetic follow-up can smooth things over. A simple "Hope we weren't too loud last night!" shows that you're considerate and can prevent any lingering resentment.

By being proactive and considerate, you can host a memorable holiday party while maintaining a great relationship with the people you share a wall with.