The countdown has begun: let’s find your perfect Christmas party venue

The countdown has begun… Christmas is literally just around the corner and that can only mean that PAs and EAs are busy planning company Christmas parties and sourcing venues, entertainers and suitable gifts for clients and colleagues. We’ve put together a helpful guide of great Christmas party venue options, and even included two brilliant agencies who can do it all for you if you rather hand over the party planning and management to someone else…

Eventurous snow ordinary Christmas party

Be Eventurous this festive season with a Christmas party and team activity that helps form strong bonds and reward and develop teams in a new and exciting environment. Send teams to discover your chosen city during the most magical time of year. Search across Christmas markets and Santa’s grotto to find lost presents, meet new people and find new places along the way. Discover hilarious photo and video opportunities, practice your acting skills or brag the brainiest bunch with a broad selection of cerebral puzzles and fun team challenges.

Finish at a local bar, restaurant or hotel to watch the highlights of the hunt whilst you tuck into a festive feast and enjoy an eggnog or two. The Eventurous team will find the perfect venue and location for your hunt. Team Treasure Hunts are a sustainable and favourite Christmas party event. The only equipment needed are our iPads that are charged using solar power from our 500 panels at the Eventurous office. A hunt requires a single event manager to run, who travels via public transport. All participants are required to take part on foot throughout, eliminating the need for vehicles – as an ECOsmart accredited agency, it is one of our favourite ways to celebrate without it costing the earth!

For more Christmas party ideas and enquiries visit www.eventurous.co.uk

Party on the river with City Cruises

Experience a magical Christmas celebration on the Thames with City Cruises London. Enjoy festive food, drinks, and breath-taking views for an unforgettable holiday party. Plan your unique Christmas venue on the water today! As the holiday season approaches, the search for unique and unforgettable venues to host a Christmas work party begins.

If you’re looking to break away from the traditional office setting and add a touch of magic to your celebrations, why not consider hosting your event on a river boat cruising along the iconic Thames?

We offer a variety of packages to suit different budgets and requirements, allowing you to customize your Christmas work party experience. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a larger-scale event, you’ll find options that accommodate your needs. From elegant dining experiences to festive-themed entertainment, there are plenty of possibilities to ensure your colleagues have a delightful time.

Hosting your Christmas work party on a river boat on the Thames offers a unique and unforgettable experience that will leave a lasting impression on your colleagues. The picturesque views, the enchanting ambiance, and the festive delights will create a magical atmosphere for your celebration. So, set sail on the Thames this holiday season and create cherished memories as you enjoy a Christmas work party like no other. For enquiries, please visit The City Cruises website or email us at charters@citycruises.com

The Kia Oval Christmas party venue

The Kia Oval is not just one of the most famous cricket venues in the world, it operates 365 days of the year as one of the capital’s leading Conference and Events spaces. Right in the heart of London, it’s an extremely accessible venue with a variety of different small, medium and large Event spaces, perfect for a Christmas Party for any type of business.

The Kia Oval Christmas Party Packages are available from just £84 per person (inc. VAT), and NEW for 2023, why not try the Ice Package? The Ice Package is The Kia Oval’s first themed event space and includes a welcome festive cocktail, a four-hour drinks package, Christmas themed buffet*, dessert table and exclusive room hire with a DJ and a dancefloor! From just £118 pp (inc. VAT), The Kia Oval’s Ice Package is perfect for any Christmas Party this year. *dining upgrades are available

For further details please visit events.kiaoval.com or email the Events team on: enquiries@kiaoval.com or phone: 0207 820 5670

Destination Emirates Old Trafford

Angela Hodson, Sales Director at Emirates Old Trafford shares her top three reasons for why PAs and other event organisers should host their company Christmas party at the iconic Manchester based cricket venue.

“Firstly, our on-site Hilton Garden Inn hotel here at Destination Emirates Old Trafford provides our Christmas party guests with convenience and ease; there is no hassle of getting home as guests can access the hotel via footbridge link straight from all party suites. Additionally, for our 2023 Christmas party programme, there will be a grand total of 250 hotel bedrooms available each night due to our recent hotel expansion.

Our Christmas parties are delivered by our expert, in-house event team who have the skills and expertise in hosting a wide range of amazing events across sport, concerts, awards dinners and corporate functions – so we can guarantee that your Christmas Party is in great hands. Our event delivery team are passionate about creating that perfect, festive experience for you and your colleagues – think uplifting performances, excellent food and service, and plenty of crowd interaction.

As an event venue and home of Lancashire Cricket, Emirates Old Trafford are committed to becoming one of the most sustainable multi-purpose venues in the UK. To become more sustainable across all aspects of the Club, including our Christmas parties, we are committed to eliminating single-use plastic, increasing recycling and minimise waste, and reducing energy use. We understand the importance of venue sustainability for all event organisers, so you can be assured that as your potential Christmas party venue, we are always striving towards being the most sustainable we can be.”

Find out more, plus for enquiries about events please visit Emirates Old Trafford 

Boom Battle Bar

Looking for somewhere to host your annual festive shindig? BOOM BATTLE BAR have got you covered with a range of epic Christmas packages. Pick one that suits your needs and they’ll do the rest. How cool is that? With packages ranging from £35- 95pp there’s something for every type of team!

Picture this. You’re thrashing your work colleagues in epic games like Axe Throwing, Shuffleboard, AR Darts and more. Getting stuck into the festive menus. Think glittery cocktails adorned with candy canes and drool worthy street food, including glazed pigs in blankets and loaded truffle fries. Whether you’re a team of 10 or 100+ all your festive party needs will be covered.

If you’re looking to go big, private hire is available too. This isn’t your standard private hire, this is a truly unforgettable experience for groups looking to book a one-of-a-kind event. With an array of private hire options with minimum spends and add on options for you to choose from. Go big or go home! You’ve never had a Christmas Party like this.

If that wasn’t enough, you can sort your festive office gifts out in one hit with brand new BOOM Gift Cards that are delivered directly to the lucky recipient’s door. Christmas has come early and we’re here for it. For enquiries and to book please email: sales. corporate@xpfactory.com

AOK Events

How to build the perfect corporate Christmas Party?

1. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: To ensure you maximise attendance, location is key! It’s crucial to consider your guests’ travel plans, nobody enjoys a lengthy journey home! If your chosen venue isn’t near a station or you want to party later than the last train, you may consider arranging private travel or providing accommodation for guests.
2. VENUE: Think about style, formality, fun, seated dinner or just a full-blown party. Use a venue finding agency that can guide you through the best options that work for your budget.
3. CAPACITY: Where venues are concerned, size DOES matter. The number of guests and the format of your party will define the size of venue you will need. 150 people seated takes up a lot more space than 150 standing up. With clever lighting and furniture placement you can make a room smaller, but you can’t make it bigger!
4. FESTIVE FOOD: The Christmas feast is integral to every party and there are plenty of alternatives to turkey! Whether you prefer a seated three-course dinner, a relaxed reception with canapés & bowl food stations, or immersive food theatre, we’ve got you covered.
5. ENTERTAINMENT: More is more… DJs, speakers, gospel choirs, break dancers, violinists, harpists and singing waiters. This is the bit where you make your mark!

AOK Events can help you with all of the above to build the perfect Christmas Party! christmas@aokevents.com

South Bank Venues

Party on London’s riverside When it comes to Christmas in London, you can’t beat the magical atmosphere of South Bank. Lights glittering in the trees along the riverside, the warming smells of mulled wine from the Winter Markets, and festive music drifting in the air from all the seasonal pop-ups and entertainers are guaranteed to get you in the yuletide spirit.

Home to some of the UK’s top attractions including the London Eye, world-renowned cultural institutions The National Theatre, Southbank Centre and BFI, the London Literary Festival, numerous red carpet premieres, the 2023 BAFTAs and not forgetting England’s iconic New Year fireworks display, it’s South Bank that takes centre stage for some of the biggest events in the city.

So why not book your Christmas party where it’s all happening? Whether you’re looking for a small office get-together or are planning an elaborate party for over 200, every possibility can be catered for. Head to the skies for a sparkling rooftop drinks reception, tuck into great street food alongside an evening of competitive socialising, book out a riverside venue for a black-tie event, or choose a private dining room in one of the area’s brilliant hotels and restaurants.

Whatever celebration you’re after, South Bank’s extensive portfolio of stunning venues has the answer.

We featured many of of these amazing venues and event management companies in PA Life Autumn Issue 2023 – you can read the rest of the magazine here.