There is always something quite magical about the Christmas period in London. No matter whether you're putting another log on the fire, kissing under the mistletoe or searching around for that perfect Christmas tree, everyone is enjoying the snow and soaking up the holiday spirit. From carol singing in the streets, to the sound of Jingle Bell Rock and Santa Claus Is Coming to Town all over the radio, the festive music fills the air and gets everyone in the mood.
Which is why the Christmas events London has to offer really are unlike those of any other city. If you're on the lookout for Christmas party venues with a difference, then Zipcube has you covered. Whether it's a quiet lunch in a cosy little pub or a huge office party in a lavish nightclub, our search engine will help you find an ideal location for your festive get-together.
Trying to decide on an unusual Christmas party theme, to freshen things up for you and your fellow festive revellers? How about a Christmas jumper theme where everybody wears their favourite item of knitwear? You could host a festive bake off competition as part of the party, so that everyone gets a chance to bake some mince pies, yule logs and plum pudding.
Christmas Party Venues London: Tips and Ideas
- Remember that this is a very busy time of year and you're not the only one thinking of planning a festive party, so try and get planning sooner rather than later as the best venues go quickly!
- Thinking of having a party with the office? Great idea! A staff Christmas party may require some planning in advance so make sure you're aware of how many quests you plan on inviting.
- This time of year requires a lot of travel, make sure that your location is suitable for all of your guests so that it doesn't take some of your friends and family all day to travel to the venue.
- Running out of ideas for your party? How about a traditional hall with a large dinner table for all of your guests and a dance floor to show your company's boss who really is boss. Make sure you know whether the venue you select has a dance floor as well as a dining hall, and don't forget to get that classic Christmas playlist all set up! Or even a fancy dress theme could be the winning ticket. Ever thought of having a Winter Wonderland ball?
- Consider that events like these are great opportunities to network and let some of your colleagues know how much you appreciate their recent hard work. It never hurts to spend a little extra if you think your employees will enjoy the occasion.
- An increasingly popular way to afford an extravagant venue is to party share: where two or more companies combine their budget and host a joint event. It's an excellent way for anyone with a limited budget to afford a great venue hire.
Christmas Event Mistakes to Avoid:
- Don't plan your event last minute. Unless you want to be stuck wishing everyone a merry Christmas in your local kebab shop, you'll need to plan things well ahead of schedule. Some companies start arranging their office Christmas party venues in April or May.
- If you think that a dress code is necessary, make sure to let everyone know well in advance.
- Think carefully about what kind of amenities you want available at your venue. There's not much point having dining tables set up if you're not serving food, and you probably won't need a dance floor if you don't want to hire a DJ.
- Don't forget to have a speech prepared. Whether it's coming from your company's director, or a beloved relative at a family event, a short speech is a great way to cap off the occasion and reflect on the year just gone.
- A free bar is a wonderful thing, but it might be worth having one or two staff members on hand who are willing to be designated non-drinkers, just in case. Where possible, you'll want to avoid any of these Christmas party cliches.
Christmas Party Venues With a Difference:
You shouldn't feel too restricted by seasonal convention in your choice of a venue. Here's a list of a few unusual party venues to spark your imagination:
- A private cinema or screening venue if you want to show seasonal classics like Elf or It's A Wonderful Life.
- You could hire a festive party boat to carry you along the Thames. Just wrap up warm and bring a thermos of mulled wine!
- An underground vault venue is an atmospheric place to host a party, especially if customised with fairy lights and festive decorations.
- Just because this is a time of tradition, that doesn't mean your Christmas party venue has to be conventional. Booking a warehouse or loft venue will add a bit of hipster chic to your celebrations.
- If you're happy to fire up the outdoor heaters and embrace the cold, you could also look into an open air venue or outdoor party venue.
If you want some fun group activities to help everyone in the office get to know one another, you could book a venue close by to a pop-up ice rink. Or you could grab a load of tinsel, baubles and tree lights, buy a few small trees and have a Christmas tree decorating competition. Organise a Christmas quiz where correct answers win snow globes and hanging stars, and see just how well everyone knows the history of a long-standing holiday tradition.
Christmas doesn't just have to be about building snowmen, exchanging presents and drinking sherry by a roaring fire. It's also an important time of year to think about the less fortunate and what you can do for others. You might like to make a donation to a charitable cause as part of the budget for your Christmas party venue. This article offers some good tips on how to follow in the footsteps of Saint Nick and make this a season of giving and generosity.
Perhaps your office Christmas party or yuletide get-together is a good time to go all out and embrace the most traditional wintry activities imaginable. You can go and spot reindeer prancing about in London's Bushy Park or organise a sleigh ride in Richmond upon Thames. (We can't guarantee that Rudolph and Santa Claus will be there, sadly). If you have little ones with you, you might want to book a spot at one of London's Elves Workshops or Grottos.