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 and sweet treats from the Winter Markets, and festive music drifting in the air from all the seasonal pop-ups and entertainers. Christmas in London’s South Bank is guaranteed to get you in the yuletide spirit.
Home to some of the UK’s most popular tourist attractions including the lastminute.com London Eye, world-renowned cultural institutions The National Theatre, Southbank Centre and BFI, England’s iconic New Year fireworks display, the London Film Festival, the London Literary Festival, red carpet premieres and the 2023 BAFTAs, it’s South Bank that takes centre stage for some of the biggest events in the city.
Book your Christmas party where it’s all happening
Whatever celebration you’re looking for, South Bank has the answer. From classic to quirky, stylish rooftop bars to atmospheric underground arches, hotel ballrooms to outdoor experiential pop-ups – there’s a huge range of venues to choose from.
If you want to take in the iconic London views of St. Paul’s Cathedral and Big Ben, one of the riverside rooftops provides the perfect location. Sitting high at the top of the iconic Sea Containers Building, Sea Containers Events is home to a number of private event spaces, all with full length windows offering stunning views across the river. Each room can be tailored to your requirements and numbers, or for large celebrations, book the whole 13th floor exclusively complete with the rooftop!
South Bank is synonymous with art and culture and has been since the Festival of Britain in 1951. Celebrate that vibe and head down to Bankside Hotel where you can party in a venue with a laidback creative feel. Large or small, it doesn’t matter. 20 – 200 people can party surrounded by eclectic art, in an event space bursting with personality. The White Box is heaven-sent for those wanting to make their own stamp. An empty canvas that you can either choose to feature a collection of the hotel’s curated artworks, or bring your own style in.
Christmas in London’s South Bank caters for every taste
Bring the heat to your festive celebrations and take your guests on a journey to the Caribbean without leaving central London. Limin at Gabriel’s Wharf is London’s hottest Trinidadian restaurant and you won’t find zinging flavours like this anywhere else in this part of the city. Limin’ (pronounced ‘Lime-in’) is a Trinidadian expression that refers to relaxing in good company with food, drink, music and lots of laughter. When it comes to parties, this place more than lives up to its name! Expect sharing platters, and small bites loaded with traditional Trinidadian flavour, along with all the rum punch you can imagine against a backdrop of a sunny beach club with banging DJ tunes.
Entertainment at a Christmas party is key. Whether you choose to bring in some games, live music or even casino tables, there’s a whole host of venues that will help you bring your party to life. Alternatively, you might be inspired to go for some more ‘natural’ entertainment and immerse your guests in the beauty of life under water at SEA LIFE London Aquarium. There’s plenty of spaces within this stunning venue where you can host drinks receptions or even full banquet dinners.
When you just don’t have time to organise all the small details but want a glamourous party in a stunning venue, 73 Waterloo at St John’s is the answer. Fresh from a multi-million pound refurbishment, 73 Waterloo are putting on the ritz this Christmas with a ready-made Tinseltown theme party. Just choose your date and specify your numbers (up to 500) and they’ll do the rest, complete with red carpet and flambeaux on arrival, cocktail drinks reception, atmospheric lighting and furniture, themed entertainment, DJ and your choice of canapes and bowl food, food stations or seated dinners.
Whether you’re looking for a small intimate dinner in a restaurant private dining room, glamourous black tie dinner, competitive socialising or a stunning rooftop drinks reception, South Bank’s extensive portfolio of stunning venues has the answer.
Search the South Bank Venues online directory to find your ideal event space.
South Bank Venues is one of the great suppliers of top venues in our UK Corporate Venues Guide.
