Whilst getting your head into the world of tinsel and crackers might seem premature, if you’re keen to avoid disappointment come December, starting to think about venue options now is a good idea. With in-person events recommencing post-lockdown, Christmas party planning is shaping up to be a particularly competitive process this year.

So, even if mulling over mulled wine in the summer months feels a little strange, it’s best to get in early — and where better to host a spectacular celebration than London? Boasting some of the country’s best lights and displays (not to mention jaw-dropping Christmas trees… we recommend the giant Norwegian spruce in Trafalgar Square!), it’s arguably the place to be for the festive season.

That said, choosing a Christmas party venue in London is no small undertaking. From capacity to catering, there’s a huge amount to consider — with the additional pressure of hosting a celebration after months of lockdown, the decision can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, we’ve got plenty of insider knowledge and experience when it comes to the venue selection process! To help make things easier, we’ve wracked our brains to create a list of essential points to consider when picking out a space. Read on for our 7 point guide on how to choose the perfect London party venue.

  1. Get an idea of guest numbers 

It may seem obvious, but capacity is a priority factor when it comes to choosing a London Christmas party venue. If your space isn’t big enough to comfortably accommodate all of your guests, you’re going to struggle. Equally, if you’re looking to host an intimate sit-down dinner celebration for 30, you’ll want to tailor the space to the occasion: too large a venue will be uncomfortable at best, and a very expensive oversight at worst.

Consider the layout, too — will your guests be seated at any point? If so, check the venue capacity for different arrangements (such as cabaret, or banquet-style). There’s also dance floors to factor in if you’re going all-out with a DJ this year!

  1. Location, location, location 

London’s a big place, and you’ll want to think about where exactly your venue sits on the map. Make sure your location has good transport links: as a rule of thumb, it should be close to at least one main station. This is particularly important for parties set to finish late at night, so your guests can get home swiftly, safely, and without costly taxi fares to and from the venue. If you’re anticipating inbound travel from further afield, the space should also be accessible from Heathrow and London City airports. Thankfully, the perks of hosting a Christmas party in the Capital means you benefit from London’s excellent transport network.

Top tip: whilst you’re scouting out stations, research the surrounding area. London is truly magical at Christmas, and you can guarantee there’ll be a point of interest nearby worth recommending to your guests. After all, if there’s ever been a time to maximise the festive experience, it’s now!

  1. Check for a late licence 

Planning on dancing the night away? Look for a venue with a late licence, so you can relax in the knowledge that any Christmas merry-making can continue into the early hours without interruption. Not all London venues offer these, and, since there’s nothing worse than clock-watching — or having to unexpectedly cut the party short — if you know you’ll be needing a late licence, check first before booking. Some of our favourite spaces for late-night revelries include the Tobacco Dock (Christmas meets 1920s glamour), East Wintergarden at Canary Wharf, and the showstopping One Marylebone.

  1. Food, glorious food!

It goes without saying that catering is crucial to any good Christmas party (a festive celebration without some form of mince pie is, in our opinion, suspicious…). Look into the options available at your venue ahead of time: some places offer set catering packages, whilst others provide a blank canvas for you to source your own suppliers.

Of course, the pandemic will likely change the ways we’re used to navigating food and drink at Christmas parties. Be prepared to say farewell to the buffet table and hello to canapés, bowl food, and sit-down Christmas meals. Whilst the situation is ever-changing, plenty of venues and caterers are adapting their approach this year, so that your guests can eat, drink, and be merry with greater peace of mind.

  1. Keep an eye out for packages

On the subject of catering packages — some venues go one step further, offering complete party packages. These often include multiple features, such as food and drink, music and entertainment, room hire combinations and access to various facilities. Many provide additional support through an in-house events co-ordinator, too. Designed to save you time, money, and the trouble of finding and synchronising individual suppliers, these packages can help take the stress out of party planning, leaving you free to focus on the details.

We love the festive packages at Christ Church Spitalfields; whether you opt for the Christmas Dinner or Party set, you can expect exclusive venue hire, a drinks reception, catering, and cloakroom facilities. There are also some fabulous upgrade options available, including a popcorn station and additional two glasses of champagne per person!

  1. AV facilities 

Nowadays, you can almost guarantee that even historic venues will be kitted with AV equipment for events. Lighting and sound are crucial when it comes to creating atmosphere; harsh white overheads, for example, probably won’t lend themselves to the sort of festive ambiance you had in mind for a three course dinner. And what’s a party without music? A good sound system is key. It’s worth checking to see what sort of equipment is included with hire, and whether your venue offers any additional — or customisable — AV facilities for a truly bespoke event.

  1. Covid-19 cover and assurance

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that these are uncertain and changeable times. Understandably, people might be nervous returning to in-person celebrations; as a planner, you’ll want reassurance that you’ll be protected should post-booking changes to regulations prevent your party from going ahead. It’s important to research what sort of cover and precautions a venue is offering prior to booking.

Alternatively, if you’re using a venue finder, have a look at their policies. You’ll want to check the terms have been designed with the latest government guidance in mind, and guarantee that all venue contracts include relevant clauses to protect buyers.

Bonus tip: let a venue search tool do the hard work for you

You can, of course, sift through venues yourself on an individual basis. However, if time is precious, using a venue search tool can take the stress out of choosing a space to host your Christmas party this year. These finders let you plug in all your party specifics — guest numbers, seating and catering preferences, desired location, dates and budget — and then comb through London’s best spaces to find a Christmas party venue perfectly suited to your requirements. Some even negotiate discounts and prices for you (so you can add those personalised reindeer antlers back to your basket). Bring on the mince pies!