Holiday Party Venues for Rent in Los Angeles

Even though the temperatures typically stay in the mid to upper 60s and there’s no snowfall expected, Los Angeles sure gets festive during the holiday season. With Christmas Concerts at the renowned Walt Disney Concert Hall, Christmas decorations lighting up the streets (you have to check out the Altadena Christmas Tree Lane!) and Christmas parades bringing joy to locals and visitors, there’s nothing quite like LA in December.

Holiday parties are a great way to get together, reminisce about the year gone by and share some holiday cheer. For companies, it’s a chance to thank their employees for their efforts throughout the year and celebrate successes. Whether you’re celebrating holidays with friends and family or colleagues, simply scroll through our fantastic venues on Tagvenue and find the perfect one in no time!

How to plan a holiday party

‘Tis the season - everyone’s started thinking about their holiday parties and if you don’t want to miss out, it’s definitely better to start planning now rather than be sorry later! If you’re not sure where to start, don't worry! We’ve got some party planning tips to nudge you in the right direction.

Pick the date

One of the first steps you need to take when planning your holiday party is to pick the date. And don’t wait until the last minute. Los Angeles is one of the hottest party locations and most popular places will be booked well in advance, especially around the holiday party season. So if you want to have the greatest choice, make sure you secure your party space as soon as you can.

It helps if you have some room for flexibility. If you have a range of days and times to choose from, this will increase your chance of booking the venue that you want and may even result in a better price, e.g. some venues offer lower rental fees on certain days of the week.

Set your budget

Another key thing, yet, perhaps the most important, is settling on your budget. Then decide how much of your total spending can go towards booking the venue. Once you know the number, Tagvenue makes it super easy to search for venues that fit your price range. Remember to ask your venue manager about what’s included in the price. For example, do they offer all-inclusive event packages, is there a food and beverage minimum in addition to the rental fee or would you have to pay a corkage fee for bringing your own alcohol, etc.?

If you’re using external caterers and suppliers, calculate the costs and set aside an appropriate part of your budget. It’s always wise to also include some reserve just in case.

Invite your guests

Think about who you want to invite to your holiday gathering and send out the invites. Once you know the approximate number of guests, you will be able to narrow your search. Getting a right-sized venue can help you cut down the costs of your event.

While you’re creating your guest list, it’s also worth thinking about how you’re going to seat your attendees. Would you like to serve your holiday dinner at round tables or at one long table? Or maybe you’d prefer a holiday cocktail party? Tagvenue’s smart search filters enable you to set your number of guests and a preferred seating layout - thanks to that, you’ll be able to find the perfect venue for your holiday party in no time.

Choose the right location and venue

Consider where in Los Angeles you want to host your holiday party. You can go with a location that’s the closest to you or choose an area whose vibe best matches your event. Vibrant Downtown or West Hollywood? Quiet Brentwood or Pasadena? Or maybe a beach holiday party in Santa Monica? Once you’ve picked your neighborhood, also think about the specific venue type that will suit your needs.

Decide what type of party you want to host: are you interested in something fancy or are you looking for a more informal setting? Is it going to be an intimate meal with your loved ones or a large banquet for your employees? Would you prefer a traditional sit-down Christmas dinner or a self-service buffet, where you can mingle and chat with your guests? Take some time to consider your options and decide how you want to bring your vision to life. This will help you find the venue that best matches your expectations.

Take care of the mood

Think about the kind of mood you’d like to evoke, then pick a venue with the right atmosphere. Are you going for a sleek restaurant, an intimate and cozy cafe, or maybe a quirky bar with a more laid-back vibe? Apart from the venue’s design and decor, there are other factors that play a part in creating the mood, such as music (why not have some classic holiday tunes in the background?) or the people who work there. It’s best to organize a viewing before you make your final decision, so you can get a feel for the place yourself. If you want to play your own music during the event, check with your venue manager if you’re allowed to do so.

Get festive with the decorations! The right pieces can transform any space into a Winter Wonderland. Decide whether you want to have the venue take care of the decorations, bring some external suppliers to do the job or decorate the room yourself, for a  more personal touch. This could impact the overall cost of the event, but the latter option is the most cost-effective.

Think about the food & drinks

Food is hands down one of the main attractions of every party. If you choose to book a restaurant for your holiday party, you probably won’t have to worry about catering. If you want to bring your own food and drinks, make sure you check your venue’s policy on external catering and BYOB. You could also ask your guests to each bring a dish - not only is it a great way to cut the costs, it’s also a fun holiday tradition.

Remember to ask your guests if they have any dietary restrictions and include food options everyone can enjoy. If you choose to serve alcoholic beverages, make sure to also prepare alternatives for non-drinkers.

Corporate holiday party tips and best practices

Throwing a company holiday party and looking for some inspiration to make it a success? Here are some of our tips and best practices to get your employees excited and give them the greatest holiday experience!

• Pick a theme! Having a theme is a great way to spice up any event! And you’ve got so many options when it comes to a holiday party, e.g. ugly Christmas sweaters, winter wonderland or holiday movies.
• Prepare door prizes. A gift is always a nice gesture to show your appreciation. Pick something your employees would best enjoy: vouchers, coffee mugs or extra perks, such as more paid days off. You can hand them out randomly by drawing or hold a competition, e.g. for the best party outfit.
• Plan some holiday party activities. Planning some fun things to do together is a great way to break the ice and loosen up the mood. It can be a simple gift exchange or holiday-themed trivia.
• Have a potluck. Why not let everyone show off their culinary skills and have them each bring a dish? It’s not only a great way to try different foods and learn about other people’s holiday traditions, but it will also help you save some money on catering.
• Get out of the office! Contrary to what the name may suggest, holiday office parties are even better when celebrated outside of the office! So to really get everyone feeling festive, book a nice venue for a change of environment and make it one to remember.

Fun holiday party activities

There are plenty of fun activities to do during a holiday party. Of course, it’s all going to depend on the type of party and the vibe you’re going for. If you’re expecting a large group of people, you might need to divide them into smaller teams. If there are any kids present, choose family-friendly games and activities. Also consider the level of familiarity between your guests, e.g. in case the attendees don’t know each other too well, come up with some fun holiday ice breakers that will help everyone loosen up and hopefully learn something about one another.

Holiday party classics include:

• Secret Santa - This one probably doesn't require further explanation, but just in case: you set a budget, everyone draws a name and buys a gift for whomever they chose. The gift-givers typically don’t reveal their identities.
• White Elephant - Everyone brings a wrapped gift to the party. Each guest then picks one gift from the general table, but can also choose to steal somebody else’s gift. The game concludes when there are no more gifts left on the table.
• Holiday Charades - Get your group together and act out some of your favorite holiday-related activities, e.g. wrapping presents, making cookies or decorating a tree. You can find many free printables on the Internet for inspiration.
• Guess That Christmas Song - Say one line of a Christmas song out loud and have the rest of the group write down the name of the tune. The person or team with the largest number of correct guesses wins.
• Holiday Movie Trivia - Test your guest’s cinematic knowledge with holiday movie-related questions! How well do you know It’s a Wonderful Life or How the Grinch Stole Christmas? Time to find out!
• Arts & Crafts - If you’re into creative activities, get crafty! Get stocked with colorful paper, glue and all sorts of fun supplies and make your own holiday ornaments, cards, stockings or whatever else comes to your mind! You can then exchange those cards or decorate your tree with the handmade ornaments.
• Gingerbread House Decorating - What better way to awaken the holiday spirit than with the smell of freshly baked gingerbread? Actually, we know a better way! Take it a step further by building and decorating your own gingerbread house. The best part - you end up with a pretty holiday decoration, and you get to eat it later too!
• Cookie Decorating - One more activity for everyone with a sweet tooth! Prepare some toppings, icing and sprinkles, and get creative! If you have any kids attending your holiday party, it’s a great activity that you can all try together.
• Holiday Karaoke - Some of us can hardly wait to start listening to Christmas songs again! Why not celebrate by singing your heart out to your favorite holiday tunes?
• Festive Photo Booth - Make those memories last by setting up a festive photo booth with cool holiday-related props, such as Santa hats, candy canes or elf ears. Get goofy and strike a pose!
• Two Truths and a Lie: Holiday Edition - Each participant describes the three worst holiday gifts they’ve ever received, two of them are true and the third one is made-up. Can the rest of you guess the lie?

Holiday Party Venues in Los Angeles FAQ

What are some of the best holiday party venues in Los Angeles?

Check out some of our amazing venues for your Los Angeles holiday party:

• Manchester Banquet Hall - If you fancy an elegant holiday party, go for this banquet hall situated on West Manchester Avenue in South Los Angeles. Glamorous decor, excellent catering and years of experience in event organization all make great ingredients for an unforgettable party!
• The Apartment - Looking for an intimate vibe? Try out this cozy and unique venue, designed to make you feel at home. It also comes with drinks and snacks in the pantries of the kitchen! 
• The Oaks Tavern - How about a holiday cocktail party? Located in Sherman Oaks, The Oaks Tavern is a neighborhood bar with an easy-going atmosphere, with a great selection of craft beer and spirits.
• Outdoor Garden at Bonaventure Brewing Co. - Since Los Angeles doesn’t get too cold in December, why not go for an outdoor holiday party? The private garden at Bonaventure Brewing Co. is spacious, features a private bar, and offers utterly stunning views of DTLA.
• Chado Tea Room South Bay - Who said tea parties were only the UK’s domain? Since the beginning of Chado, its owners have been changing the way people in Los Angeles perceive tea. With a fountain in the middle and cupboards loaded with all kinds of tea and beautiful porcelain, Chado Tea Room in Torrance is a great venue for your holiday party.

How much does it cost to rent a holiday party venue in Los Angeles?

In general, prices for renting a holiday party venue in Los Angeles range from around $32 to $78 per person. Per person rates typically include food and drink packages. Daily rental fees fall between $4000 and $20000 per day. For venues that charge hourly, expect to pay around $90 to $3000 per hour. (All data from Tagvenue.)

What are the most popular venue types for holiday parties in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has all sorts of venues suitable for a holiday party. Restaurants range from exclusive to laid-back and relaxed. There are extravagant bars and neighborhood watering holes. Glamorous banquet halls, cozy cafes and intimate outdoor patios. So whatever vibe you’re going for with your holiday party, Tagvenue is sure to have a space with just the right style.

What should I bring to a holiday party?

First of all, bring your festive mood! It’s the most important ingredient of any successful party. It’s a nice gesture to bring a gift for the host as a thank you for organizing the holiday party. A good bottle of wine is a popular choice. If the party is catered, you don’t have to worry about food and drinks. But it’s quite common for a holiday party to be a potluck, in which case it’s best to agree with the host on who’s bringing what prior to the event. And, of course, if there is any gift exchange planned, don’t forget to also bring your gift!