It's that time of year again. You're planning your holiday travel, figuring out gifts, and trying to squeeze in one more grocery run before the stores get slammed. And if you're a podcast host, you're probably asking yourself:

Should I even bother releasing episodes over the holidays? Does anyone actually listen?

I get it. The holidays are exhausting, and the idea of recording, editing, and promoting another episode when you're already stretched thin feels like... a lot.

But here's the thing: Your audience is still listening. In fact, they might be listening even MORE than usual.

And I'm not just saying that to guilt you into working through the holidays (please don't do that). I'm saying it because the data proves it.

What the Research Actually Shows

Every year, Jeremy Enns releases the Podcast Marketing Trends Report—a deep dive into the habits, strategies, and results of hundreds of podcasters. I look forward to this report like some people look forward to the Spotify Wrapped (okay, I love that too).

This year, I dug into both the 2024 and 2025 reports to see what the data says about holiday podcasting.

And here's what stood out to me:

December is One of the HIGHEST Months for Downloads

In both the 2024 and 2025 reports, the summer time and December were the top three months for downloads per episode.

Let me say that again for the people in the back: December—when most podcasters reduce their publishing frequency or take a break entirely—was one of the highest consumption months.

Publishing Frequency ≠ Listening Behavior

Here's where it gets even more interesting.

The summer, and December were all LOW months for episode publishing. Fewer podcasters were releasing new content during these times. But downloads? They stayed high.

What does that tell us?

Audience consumption doesn't correspond with publish frequency. Just because fewer podcasters are publishing doesn't mean fewer people are listening.

In fact, the opposite might be true. When there's less new content in the feed, listeners catch up on back catalogue episodes they missed or finally have time to binge that show they've been meaning to start.

Why Are People Listening More in December?

My theory? People have more time around the holidays.

Think about it:

Long car rides to visit family
Flights and airport layovers
Wrapping presents at 11pm while everyone else is asleep
Working out on vacation (or trying to)
Cleaning the house before guests arrive
Taking walks to decompress from family gatherings

The holidays might feel chaotic, but they also come with pockets of time where people are doing mindless tasks... and podcasts are the perfect companion.

Plus, if your audience is mostly moms (like mine), they might actually have MORE listening time when kids are home from school and they're spending hours in the car running errands or shuttling kids to activities.

So, Should You Publish Over the Holidays?

Yes. But let me be clear: I'm not saying you need to work yourself into the ground to make it happen.

What I am saying is that consistency matters, and the holidays are actually a prime opportunity to show up for your audience when a lot of other podcasters are going quiet.

Here's how to make it work without burning out:

1. Batch Ahead of Time

This is the #1 strategy I use with my management clients. We plan for the holidays WAY in advance so no one is scrambling to record between family dinners.

In early October, I send an email to all of my clients letting them know about our upcoming holiday closure (we're closed for 3 weeks in December/January). From there, we create custom episode planners that map out:

Publication dates for each episode
The exact date my team will start working on each episode
When we need raw files from the client

Then we batch everything in Asana so my team and I can stay on top of things while we start doubling up—editing, scheduling, and promoting two episodes per client from now until December.

This kind of prep work is the secret to a truly restful holiday season. You can take as much time off as you want without sacrificing the cadence of your podcast.

2. Run Replay Episodes

If you don't have time to batch record right now, that's okay. You can always repurpose an older episode (or a few episodes) that performed really well.

Just record a refreshed intro where you:

Acknowledge it's a replay
Explain why you're re-releasing it (still relevant, highly requested, etc.)
Share what's changed since you first released it

Your listeners won't mind. In fact, they'll probably appreciate revisiting it—and your newer listeners likely haven't heard it at all.

3. Go Shorter

If a full-length episode feels overwhelming, consider doing shorter "special" episodes during the holidays:

A 10-15 minute reflection on the year
A quick Q&A answering listener questions
A "best of" compilation with clips from your top episodes
A behind-the-scenes look at your podcast workflow or what's coming in 2026

Your audience just wants to hear from you. It doesn't have to be a full production.

4. Know Your Audience

This is the most important part: pay attention to YOUR data.

If your listeners are retail workers, they might be slammed during the holidays and have less listening time. If they're teachers, they might have two weeks off and tons of extra time.

Log into your Spotify for Podcasters, Apple Podcasts Connect, and YouTube analytics. Look at your consumption stats for last December. Did downloads go up, down, or stay the same?

That's your best indicator of what to do this year.

The Power of Consistency

Here's what I've learned after years of producing podcasts for clients: consistency builds trust.

When your audience knows they can count on you to show up every week (or every other week, or whatever your schedule is), they're more likely to:

Subscribe
Leave reviews
Share your show with friends
Actually listen to your CTAs

And when you disappear for weeks at a time without explanation? You lose momentum. People forget about you. The algorithm stops showing your content.

I'm not saying you can never take a break. (Please take breaks! Burnout is real and rest is productive.)

But if you CAN publish through the holidays—even if it's just replays or shorter episodes—you should.

A Personal Note

You deserve to take a break during the holidays. Especially in times like these, when everything feels a bit heavier than usual.

For me, that means soaking up every minute with my kids when they're home from school. It means actually being present instead of thinking about the 17 things on my to-do list.

And that's exactly WHY I batch ahead. That's why I build systems. That's why I outsource what I can.

Because I want to show up for my clients AND take care of myself. And I want the same for you.

Ready for a Sustainable Podcast Workflow?

If you're tired of scrambling to publish every week—or tired of taking unplanned breaks because you're burnt out—let's chat about getting you set up with systems that actually work.

My team and I handle everything from editing and show notes to guest communication and social media promotion. You just show up to record, and we take care of the rest. I'd love to help you create a podcast workflow that feels sustainable, strategic, and—dare I say it—easy. Book your discovery call here.

The Bottom Line

The data is clear: people ARE listening during the holidays. Your audience wants to hear from you. And with a little bit of planning (or support from someone like me), you can show up consistently without sacrificing your sanity.

So yes, publish through the holidays. Your listeners—and your future self—will thank you.

Should You Publish Podcast Episodes Over the Holidays? (The Data Says YES)