Christmas party ideas for work in 2026

Most Christmas party guides give you a long list of ideas without helping you choose between them. That often leaves organisers comparing unclear quotes, juggling multiple venues and trying to make a decision before the best dates disappear.

Only 30% of British adults said attending a Christmas party was typically part of their festive season, according to YouGov’s Big Survey on Christmas: a poll of 4,243 Britons aged 18 and over, fielded 19 to 24 November 2025 and published on 28 November 2025. A work Christmas party is not automatically worth attending, so the experience needs to offer more than another ordinary night out.

We run The Curling Club, which is one of the options covered in this guide. We have been open about that and have compared it with the alternatives using the same practical criteria.

What makes a good work Christmas party in 2026?

A good work Christmas party should meet five tests. The total cost should remain under £150 per person, including VAT. The event should have a defined start and finish, offer something everyone can enjoy, accommodate your actual group size and include food within the package.

A structured event usually works better than an open-ended evening centred on alcohol. A fixed activity gives the night a clear focus and can help colleagues mix beyond their usual workplace groups.

Inclusivity matters too. Activities that depend on drinking, skating, fitness or performing can quietly exclude part of the team. The best formats allow people of different ages, abilities and preferences to participate comfortably.

You should also ask about the venue’s ideal group size, not simply its maximum capacity. A small group can feel lost in a large ballroom, while a bigger team may be divided across several rooms, lanes or booths.

Including food in the package removes another decision, invoice and logistical task during an already busy time of year.

The £150 Christmas party tax exemption

HMRC allows employers to spend up to £150 per person per tax year on annual staff functions without the cost becoming a taxable benefit for employees.

The figure includes VAT, transport and accommodation provided as part of the event. It is an exemption rather than an allowance. If the cost goes over £150 per person, the full amount can become taxable, not just the amount above the threshold.

The limit also covers all annual staff functions held during the same tax year. For example, if a business holds a summer event and a Christmas party, the combined cost must be considered when deciding which events qualify.

Travel and overnight accommodation provided by the employer also count towards the total. This is particularly important for regional teams travelling into London or another city.

Event prices are often advertised excluding VAT. A venue charging £125 per person before VAT reaches £150 once VAT is added, leaving no room for transport or other costs. Check the VAT-inclusive total before placing a venue on your shortlist.

As a general guide, packages priced above approximately £120 per person before VAT may leave little room within the exemption once additional costs are included.

Alternatives to the traditional Christmas dinner

Several formats can replace the standard dinner and disco, but each works best for a different type of team.

Shared party nights

Shared party nights require very little organisation. The venue, decorations, menu and entertainment are usually included, making them useful for large teams with limited planning time.

The trade-off is control. Your company shares the space with other groups, so you may have little influence over the atmosphere, volume, seating plan or running order.

Restaurant set menus

A restaurant is familiar, easy to organise and often the strongest choice when food is the main priority. It can work particularly well for smaller teams that already know each other closely.

However, a long seated meal can limit interaction. Most people spend the evening speaking to the colleagues seated immediately beside them rather than mixing with the wider team.

Activity bars

Bowling, darts, shuffleboard, crazy golf and karaoke give people something to do and take pressure away from making conversation.

The main drawback is that larger bookings are often divided between separate lanes, booths or rooms. This can leave you with several smaller gatherings rather than one shared party.

Landmark and museum venues

Landmark venues can create an impressive backdrop for client events, company anniversaries and significant milestones. They offer a sense of occasion that most activity venues cannot match.

They are also among the most expensive options. Venue hire, catering and minimum-spend requirements can quickly take the cost beyond the £150 exemption.

Immersive experiences

Immersive theatre and themed events can be memorable and give the team something to talk about afterwards.

They are less suitable for anyone uncomfortable with audience participation. Quieter colleagues may find themselves drawn into performing or interacting when they would rather observe.

Volunteering and charity days

A daytime volunteering event is alcohol-free, purposeful and suitable for organisations that want their celebration to reflect company values.

However, it may not satisfy the team’s desire for a social celebration. Some businesses end up arranging both a charity day and a separate party, increasing the overall cost.

Where ice-free curling fits

Ice-free curling is played on a synthetic surface using weighted stones and standard curling rules. There is no ice, skating or specialist experience required.

At The Curling Club, groups receive a one-hour curling session within a longer reserved booking, alongside street food, seasonal drinks and music. The rules take only a few minutes to learn, making the activity accessible to complete beginners.

Pay and Play sessions are a flexible option for smaller, casual bookings. For a proper work Christmas party, the House and Curls of Wisdom are the two dedicated festive packages.

The House includes a reserved area for three hours, while Curls of Wisdom provides four hours. Both give the event a defined structure without requiring guests to curl throughout the entire booking.

Groups can book from six people up to 400 or more, with exclusive hire available for larger events. Contact the team directly to discuss capacity for bigger bookings.

Food and drinks are included within the festive packages. The House includes a small plate from the street food traders, while Curls of Wisdom includes a main meal.

Ice-free curling is designed to be inclusive, with no skating ability, previous experience or high level of fitness required. It works particularly well for mixed teams that want an activity encouraging colleagues to interact.

When The Curling Club may not be suitable

The Curling Club is not a traditional sit-down dinner venue. Teams looking for a formal table plan, three-course meal and speeches between courses may be better suited to a restaurant or hotel.

The venues are also seasonal, opening in November 2026. The Curling Club currently operates in London, although Rent 2 Curl can bring ice-free curling to other UK venues.

For client entertainment where the venue itself needs to create an immediate impression, a landmark or museum may be a stronger option. For an internal team event focused on participation and interaction, ice-free curling is likely to be a better fit.

How the Christmas party options compare

Shared party nights offer convenience but provide limited control over the atmosphere. Restaurants offer strong food and a familiar format but can restrict interaction. Activity bars encourage participation, although larger groups may be divided across multiple spaces.

Landmark venues provide the greatest visual impact but are often the most expensive. Immersive experiences are memorable but may not appeal to quieter guests. Volunteering days are inclusive and values-led but may not feel like a complete social celebration.

Ice-free curling performs strongly for affordability, structure, inclusivity, group flexibility and included food. Its main limitation is that it does not provide the formality or visual impact of a luxury landmark venue.

No format wins in every category. The right option depends on whether your priority is food, convenience, client impact, accessibility or getting colleagues to mix.

How to book without unnecessary stress

Start shortlisting venues in August and request quotes or arrange site visits during September. Peak Thursday and Friday dates in December can begin disappearing by early October. By November, you may be choosing from the remaining availability rather than your preferred options.

Always compare prices including VAT and ask whether food, drinks, service charges, venue hire and entertainment are included. Find out whether the venue applies a minimum spend in addition to the advertised package price.

Check the deposit amount, payment dates and cancellation terms before booking. You should also confirm when final attendance numbers become binding, as venues commonly charge for the agreed number even when guests later drop out.

Send dietary requirements when confirming final numbers, usually around two weeks before the event. Ask how much notice the venue requires and how allergies and specialist diets are handled.

Accessibility should be discussed before paying a deposit. Confirm whether the venue is step-free, where accessible toilets are located and whether guests need to move between different floors or areas.

Employers have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment at work-related social events, under the Worker Protection Act, in force since October 2024. From October 2026, that duty extends explicitly to harassment involving third parties, such as venue staff, other guests or suppliers: a change that lands right before this year’s Christmas party season. Ask whether the space is shared, how many other groups will attend, how the venue is staffed and what security or reporting procedures are in place.

For The Curling Club, dietary requirements can be provided with advance notice. The deposit is 50% of the total cost, due within seven days of signing the booking agreement, with the remaining balance due no later than sixteen weeks before the event. Bookings made within sixteen weeks of the event are invoiced in full and payable within seven days.

Christmas party ideas in London

The Curling Club will operate at two London locations for Christmas 2026: Vinegar Yard near London Bridge and Chelsea at the Winter Illuminations. Both are expected to reopen in November and accept groups from six people, with exclusive hire available for larger events.

Vinegar Yard

Vinegar Yard is close to London Bridge and is convenient for teams based in central London or travelling from the south east. The venue combines covered curling sheets with street food and a DJ.

The venue is at 72-82 St Thomas St, London SE1 3QX, a short walk from London Bridge station.

Chelsea

The Chelsea venue sits within the winter village at the Chelsea Winter Illuminations, at Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4SR. Seasonal lighting, warm drinks and the wider event create an après-ski atmosphere around the curling experience.

Sloane Square and Victoria stations are both nearby. No ticket is needed to enter the winter village itself, though booking a curling lane in advance is recommended.

Choosing the right Christmas party

Choose your criteria before choosing your venue. Consider the complete cost per person including VAT, whether the event has a clear structure, whether everyone can participate, whether the venue suits your actual group size and whether food is included.

Check the £150 threshold first, as it can remove unsuitable options before you invest time comparing them. Remember that the exemption includes VAT and related travel or accommodation costs.

If ice-free curling sounds right for your team, explore work Christmas party packages at The Curling Club or see the full 2026 Christmas party details. For groups larger than the standard package capacity, contact the team to discuss exclusive venue hire.

Frequently asked questions

How much should you spend on a work Christmas party?

Keep the total below £150 per person, including VAT, transport and accommodation, to remain within HMRC’s annual function exemption. The threshold applies across all annual staff functions held during the same tax year.

What are good alternatives to a work Christmas meal?

Shared party nights, activity bars, landmark venues, immersive experiences, volunteering days and ice-free curling can all replace a traditional seated dinner. Activity-led formats are particularly useful when the aim is to encourage colleagues to mix.

How far in advance should you book?

Shortlist venues in August, request quotes in September and secure popular December dates by early October. Book earlier when you need a Thursday, Friday or exclusive venue hire.

Do you need curling experience?

No. Ice-free curling is suitable for beginners, and the rules are explained before play begins. There is no ice or skating involved. Read more about the ice-free curling experience.

What works for large groups?

Shared party nights, landmark venues and exclusive venue hire can accommodate several hundred guests. Ask whether your group will remain together or be divided across separate rooms, booths or lanes.

What works for people who do not drink?

Activity-led events work well because the main focus is not the bar. The Curling Club’s packages include drinks as standard, and guests who do not drink alcohol can ask about non-alcoholic alternatives when booking.