Let’s party like it’s 2019.
This festive season marks the return of the big team Christmas night out. And with over 18 months of virtual celebrations, this will likely be the first time in a long time that your whole team gets together for a good old-fashioned knees-up.
So, we put our party planner hats on and pulled together the ultimate guide of staff Christmas party ideas in London.
Christmas activity ideas in London for competitive teams:
All Star Lanes
Shake, rattle and bowl at the ever-popular All Star Lanes. This Christmas, there’s retro bowling, classic American food and festive-inspired cocktails for your team to enjoy. They even have karaoke!
Whatever your budget, there are plenty of packages to choose from (including The Elf, The Santa and The Bottomless Blitzen), plus there are four venues dotted around the city.
Swingers Crazy Golf
Crazy golf just got crazier. Blend festive spirit with your team’s competitive spirit at Swingers. You can book your whole evening here. There’s a range of street food vendors. There are five different bars.
And once everyone is energised, there are two adventurous nine-hole golf courses. Then after some friendly competition, you can dance the night away while the DJs play.
The Big London Bake
A dash of competition, a teaspoon of baking know-how and a sprinkle of festive cheer is all you need for a great Christmas activity for your whole team. If you’ve ever fancied doing Bake Off (without the national fame), then this right here is your chance.
There are 12 baking stations in the marquee, and they’re big enough for two people to team up together. So if you’ve got a smaller team, this is a winner.
Dabbers Bingo
Not your standard bingo hall; Dabbers is way more than a numbers game. With live performances, music and more, it’s all the best bits of a big night out—with the added bonus of some friendly competition. Here’s what’s on for Christmas 👇
“Join us for a festive trio of bingo games. We’ll play fast and hard with all the glitz and glam of a Saturday night out. Making Sleigh Bae Bingo a perfect option for office parties and crews with busy schedules.”
Christmas work night out ideas in London with a party atmosphere:
Bunga Bunga
Start the festive celebrations early and kick off your office party with an eat-until-you can’t-eat-any-more Christmas Lunch extravaganza. During lunch, your team will also be treated to a Christmas Variety Show!
You might even get to experience the infamous Christmas karaoke. Want to continue the celebrations into the evening? Enquire about hiring an area.
Ballie Ballerson
This Christmas, be an absolute BALLER. Take a PITstop at Ballie Ballerson with your team. Yes, we’re talking ball pits galore. Time for you and your team to release your inner child and embrace some silliness.
Their motto is “why should kids have all the fun?”, and we 100% agree. We hosted one of our company socials here and it went down a storm, what’s not to love? Try the Ballie Winter Wonderland or kick things off early with their Festive Faves Brunch.
Lucky Voice
Is it just us or does every office night out end in karaoke? OK, karaoke might be a strong word. More like a group singalong in a bar if you’re lucky. So, why not skip the middleman and go straight to karaoke?
Lucky Voice has spots all over London. Hire a room for a few hours, or if needs be, you can hire their entire venue. Select your songs. Enjoy some Christmassy refreshments. Then, sing your hearts out! Remember: What happens in the karaoke booth, stays in the karaoke booth.
The Little Yellow Door
Imagine a house party with your whole team…but without the clean up. That’s what’s on offer at The Little Yellow Door. They’ve styled the venue like a duplex flat, complete with an open-plan living room and kitchen, plus a downstairs ‘flat mate’s den’ with a fully-stocked bar.
You can have the entire place to yourselves for a casual get-together with all the fun. Each package comes with dinner, fireside mince pies and your own private bartender to keep those festive drinks flowing.
Roller Nation
Boogie on down at London’s home of roller disco or as they like to call it ‘the nightclub on wheels’. Either roll along to one of their brilliant club nights (Soul Skate Thursdays, anyone?) or book out their entire Tottenham venue for your team. There’s an American-styled rink-side diner, so you don’t have to glide too far for some eats.
Quirky Christmas party ideas in London:
The Murdér Express
Looking for an unusual work Christmas party? Hop on The Murdér Express—an immersive theatre dining experience, set on board a 19th century train. As your team enjoys a four course dinner designed by Masterchef The Professionals finalist, Louisa Ellis, they’ll meet some very interesting characters along the way. If you’re looking for a quirky Christmas office party, this is a great option.
The Christmas Steam Express
Fancy the train part, but without the theatre experience? Look no further than The Christmas Steam Express. Soak up the festive atmosphere in restored 1950s dining carriages as you all tuck in to a delicious three course menu. This train actually leaves the station—going from Victoria to West London with plenty of sights along the way. It’s festive luxury at its finest.
The Candlelight Club
Let’s start the 20s off again, shall we? This time, taking inspiration from the glamour of the Gatsby era. The Candlelight Club is a pop-up Prohibition-style speakeasy in a secret London venue. It has an elegant cocktail menu, dining options, live jazz bands and cabaret performances. The best part? Everyone dresses for the occasion.
The Great Christmas Feast
Go back in time to Victorian London. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Charles Dickens, and The Great Christmas Feast is what brings all that to life.
Share a traditional Christmas dinner and yuletide drinks as you lose yourself in immersive storytelling from Dickens, Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas. This is an out-of-this-world experience that your team will remember for a very long time.
The Bletchley Experience
Don’t switch your brains off just yet. Here’s a great idea if you’re looking for something totally unique. The Bletchley Experience is described as “Personalised cocktails, code-breaking fun and haute cuisine!”
Add in some Christmas hats, festive jumpers under your 1940s agent attire and crackers… Christmas parties will never be an ENIGMA again.
Relaxing staff Christmas party ideas in London:
Adventure Films
Want a festive get-together that’s not all about Christmas? Head to St Mary’s church in Marylebone to watch three of the best short adventure films ever made and toast marshmallows around the fire pit. There are also street food vendors and a bar on site so you have everything you need in one place.
Biscuiteers
Grab a seat in one of Biscuiteers’ iconic cafes for a chilled afternoon with your team. Each icing class is two hours long, and every person gets a tin of nine biscuits to take home. Some of their current workshop themes include biscuit wreaths, a Christmas hamper and Apres Ski, but you can choose your own theme for your event.
Christmas wreath making
For another ‘crafts’ theme—how about making your own Christmas wreaths? At The Old Joinery in Greenwich, your team gets all the materials they need, plus fizz, cheese and festive tunes. Or join Fortnum’s acclaimed East London florist ‘Rebel Rebel’ for a luxurious wreath-making class with champagne on arrival.
The Boat Show Comedy Club
Got a lively team to keep entertained? Well, this Christmas party idea will certainly deliver on that front. And as an added bonus: It’s on a boat. Your team will be treated to a top-notch stand-up comedy show. All while enjoying nighttime views from the Thames.
You can then go with a bespoke, festive buffet with drinks. Or a sit-down dinner. Either way, enjoy some nautical Christmas comedy!
Backyard Cinema
Christmas movies. A choir. Venues themed like a winter wonderland. Can you get any more festive than this? Backyard Cinema has done it again.
There are three magical experiences to choose from, including The Christmas Movie Spectacular, The Winter Night Garden and The Snow Kingdom, where you can enjoy festive favourites such as Home Alone, Love Actually and Elf. Now, who wants popcorn?
From baking to ball pits, there are fun festivities for all teams and budgets. A friendly reminder—these will likely start filling up fast, so it’s best to book as soon as you can!
