Quirky Christmas Party Venues Hire Guide
Thanks to its rich and diverse culture, London has a massive list of fun and quirky venues for your Christmas meeting. Whether you’re after a crazy work, Christmas party in Shoreditch or a more relaxed festive Thames river cruise, our list of quirky Christmas party spaces in London is guaranteed to come in handy. Finding the most unique venues in the city can be quite challenging when you’re by yourself, but don’t worry - we got your back! If you don’t know where to start on your venue hire journey, check out our guide on how to secure quirky holiday party venues easily and quickly.
Here’s a list of our favourite office Christmas party ideas:
- Unique entertainment options – Wow your guests with Xmas entertainment they’ve never experienced before. Santa’s elves, gospel choirs, top-class comedians, Christmas games or maybe something completely out of this world? Your creativity is the limit. We’re sure to help you find a Christmas party space which is happy to host even the bravest ideas!
- Get competitive – All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy – so, how about playing some fun games with your colleagues to spice things up? From urban golf spots to pubs with darts, we know the best places in London to feel the Christmas spirit and compete with your work buddies.
- Christmas dinners with a twist – Yes, British festive fare is delicious, but how about choosing something unconventional for your Christmas party? Oyster bars, Italian trattorias and steakhouses– we know quirky Xmas party venues which offer menus that will tickle the taste buds and stand out from the crowd.
- Themed Christmas parties – London boasts plenty of fantastic opportunities for a themed Christmas event. How about hiring a loft in Chelsea for a modern and minimal Christmas celebration, or hosting a festive mixology party in a local bar? Xmas movie classics never disappoint, too – think of festive blockbusters such as Home Alone, Elf, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Love, Actually. Or maybe you have another Christmas favourite in mind? For more Christmas Party Ideas, you can check our post!
Best Christmas party themes for your 2022 celebrations
Christmas Movie Night - for some, binge watching iconic Christmas movies is already a Christmas tradition. Why not take it a step further? Get some Christmas-themed snacks, hire a private cinema, invite some friends and enjoy your favourite comedies and rom-coms!
Nostalgic Party - 70s and 80s themed parties are all the rage nowadays. Buy or make some groovy decorations and dance your night away! Remember to keep your Christmas mood on!
Circus/Funfair theme - bring some vibrant decor and guilty pleasure snacks into the mix. Make your Christmas party fun for the kids and adults alike!
Guide to hiring a quirky Christmas venue in London
We know that organising a memorable celebration can be a stressful task. Luckily, we’re here to take the pressure off allowing you to make the best choices for the most wonderful time of the year. With us finding the perfect venue in London is fast, easy and stress-free. Here’s how to find a Christmas space that’s truly special:
- Decide your main goal. An office Holiday party will look much different than one you host for your friends. Whether you want to throw this party to reconnect with family, network with colleagues or hang out with friends, you will want to fit the atmosphere to the situation.
- Figure out what you’re looking for. How much space or seats are you going to need? Would you like to arrange some catering with the venue? Maybe you’re looking for a minimum spend agreement? It’s definitely best to pick the aspects most important before you start comparing venues with each other.
- Find an interesting theme. If you want to hire a quirky Christmas location, you will probably be looking at themed restaurants, clubs and cafes. You should try and find something that both you and your guests would appreciate, like a book, artstyle, or specific historical period.
- Scout out the location. How easy is it for you and your guests to reach the quirky venue of your choice? Make sure they don’t need to commute for too long, unless everyone agrees to it. Every venue page has the name of the closest public transport station, so that you can plan the commute accordingly. Another thing you can check for is the amount of local parking. If you’re planning a big party, you have to make sure everyone who wants to go by car will be able to park it safely.
- Check out the facilities. If you’re interested in a specific venue to hire, you should check it out for yourself before signing the agreement. Contact the venue manager and tell them you want more details on what you will get with your quirky location hire. You can even arrange a meeting in the venue so that they can show you around!
London has many options for hosting a Christmas party that is anything but ordinary. Whether you're planning a corporate event, a festive family gathering, or a lavish holiday bash, the key to a successful celebration lies in choosing one of the many quirky Christmas party venues scattered throughout the city and incorporating entertainment ideas that will keep your guests engaged and entertained throughout the evening.
Unusual Venues for a Quirky Christmas Party
- Historical Mansions with a Twist: London has historical venues that offer a unique setting for Christmas parties. Imagine hosting your event in a grand mansion decked out with eccentric Christmas decorations, where each room tells a different story of London's past, infused with the magic of the holiday season.
- Renovated Warehouses: Consider a renovated warehouse for a more industrial-chic vibe. These spaces often feature exposed brick, high ceilings, and open floor plans, allowing for a customizable Christmas party setup. Think twinkling fairy lights, bespoke installations, and a live band to transform the space into a festive wonderland.
- Floating Bars on the Thames: Why not take your Christmas party to the water? A floating bar or a Christmas decorated party boat cruising along the Thames offers breathtaking views of London's skyline, providing a moving venue that will impress.
- Secret Gardens: Tucked away in various parts of London are secret gardens for enchanting Christmas party venues. Enclosed in greenery and adorned with lights and decorations, these hidden gems offer a magical setting for an outdoor Christmas market theme or a fairy tale winter garden party.
Entertainment Ideas to Elevate the Party
- Interactive Food and Drink Experiences: Turn dining into an interactive experience with mixology classes, where guests can create their own holiday cocktails or hire a gourmet chef to lead a festive cooking demonstration. Like a build-your-own gingerbread house table, food stations with a Christmas twist can also add a playful element to the evening.
- Live Performances with a Twist: Go beyond the traditional DJ or band setup by incorporating live performances that resonate with the unique theme of your venue. Think jazz bands in a historical mansion, indie musicians in a warehouse, or carol singers on a boat. Consider hiring circus performers or magicians to roam the venue for something truly out of the ordinary, providing unexpected entertainment.
- Customised Workshops: Engage your guests with hands-on activities that double as unique takeaways. Holiday-themed workshops, such as wreath-making, Christmas bauble personalization, or even a festive pottery class, can be a fun way to get everyone involved and ensure they leave with a special memento of the evening.
- Immersive Technology Experiences: Incorporate technology to create immersive experiences, such as VR setups where guests can explore virtual winter wonderlands or interactive photo booths with quirky props and backgrounds perfectly aligned with the venue's theme.
- Unique Themes and Dress Codes: Encourage guests to dress according to a unique theme that matches your quirky venue. Whether it's a Victorian Christmas, a futuristic holiday bash, or a fantasy winter gala, a creative dress code can add extra fun and ensure that your Christmas party is one to remember.
Organising a Christmas party in one of London's quirky venues offers an excellent opportunity to break away from the conventional and create a festive celebration that captivates and delights your guests.
Innovative Invitation Ideas: How to create and send out invitations that capture the quirky spirit of your event.
Crafting innovative invitations that mirror the eccentricity of your chosen venue and the event itself is great. This guide will navigate you through the creation and dispatch of invitations that announce your event and encapsulate its unique charm.
Understanding the Quirkiness of London's Christmas Party Venues
London has many unconventional Christmas party venues. From hidden speakeasies beneath bustling streets to majestic galleries adorned with timeless art, each venue offers a setting that is anything but ordinary. These venues often come with thematic decor, immersive experiences, and a story to tell, making them the perfect canvas for your quirky Christmas party.
Crafting Your Innovative Invitations
- Reflect the Venue's Essence: Your invitation should be a gateway to the event's experience. For a party held in a vintage ballroom, consider using art deco designs, or for a gathering in a botanical garden, incorporate floral motifs and greenery into your invitation design. The key is to hint at the venue's character, whether it's the industrial chic of a refurbished loft or the cosy ambience of a hidden library bar.
- Use Unconventional Materials: Move beyond traditional paper and explore materials that speak to the essence of the event. Invitations on seeded paper for a garden venue can bloom into wildflowers, symbolising the growth and renewal of the festive season. DIY acrylic invites with laser-cut designs can mirror the modernity of a contemporary art space, while leather embossed invites could nod to the rugged elegance of a historic pub.
- Incorporate Interactive Elements: Engage your guests from the moment they receive the invite. Consider adding elements that require interaction, such as a scratch-off layer revealing the venue or a pull tab displaying the event's theme. For a truly unique touch, incorporate augmented reality (AR) elements that, when scanned, display a 3D model of the venue or a personalised greeting from the host.
- Personalise the Experience: Customise each invitation with the guest's name, not just printed inside but integrated into the design creatively. For a small gathering, handwritten notes add a personal touch. At the same time, for larger events, custom-made illustrations that reflect the guest's personality or connection to the host can make each invite feel special.
- Digital Innovation Meets Tradition: Combine digital elements with traditional invitations for a modern twist. Create a custom website or an event app that complements the physical invite, offering guests a portal to RSVP, view detailed information about the venue, and even select their preferred festive tunes or cocktails for the night.
- Sustainability at Heart: With an increasing focus on environmental responsibility, ensure your invitations are eco-friendly. Use recycled materials, digital invites, or designs that serve a secondary purpose, such as ornaments or coasters, reducing waste and adding value for the recipients.
Sending Out Your Invitations
Timing is key. For Christmas parties, sending out invitations 6-8 weeks in advance allows guests to mark their calendars during the busy festive season. Consider the method of delivery as part of the experience – hand-delivered invites for local guests can add a personal touch, while beautifully packaged invites can create excitement even before the envelope is opened.
By infusing creativity, personal touches, and a dash of innovation, your invitations will announce your event and become a cherished keepsake of a memorable festive celebration in one of London's most extraordinary spaces.
In case you need additional information, check out the FAQ section below:
FAQs about Quirky Christmas Party Venues in London
What untraditional venues are the most suitable for a Christmas party in London?
Bars and pubs with a unique interior design are very popular with our customers. Such spaces offer a fun and unusual atmosphere as well as delicious food and drinks. Christmas cruises or party buses are also a popular option when it comes to spicing up your annual Christmas Occasion.
- West End on the Thames – Take your Christmas Party to the water and celebrate with a cruise along the River Thames.
- Shaka Zulu – Enjoy a festive celebration in London’s premier South African restaurant, featuring spectacular ambiance and fantastic cuisine.
- Bounce Farringdon – Why not Ping Pong for your holiday celebration? Great for a fun and competitive crowd.
- London's VIP Party Bus Service at Champagne Tours – Take your Christmas Fête to the streets on this VIP party bus.
What should I keep in mind before hiring a quirky Christmas venue?
Even though a bit of experimentation is always great, still keep in mind that a Christmas party should revolve around the holiday. A little comes a long way and even little touches like adding festive decorations or a tree could make a difference. Another way to add to the Christmas spirit is to incorporate either a classic festive drink, dish or activity into your evening.
How much does it cost to hire a unique Christmas venue in London?
Prices for Christmas party venues in London vary, but the average price for minimum spend goes between £200 to £6000 per day. The price per personcan fluctuate anywhere between £10 to £110 while the hire fee can start as low as £75 per hour. (All data from Tagvenue). The final price may be different depending on other factors, such as the number of your guests or the venue type you choose. Of course if you are looking for budget-friendly Christmas venue, you will be alsofind something for you
How late will I have to wrap up my Christmas party?
Because Christmas is a holiday, it’s best to ask the venue manager about the closing time. Usual working hours are listed on the venue’s page, so you can get a general idea on when the venue closes usually.