Work Christmas party ideas in London

We should come clean straight away. We run curling parties, so you can probably guess which London Christmas party idea we recommend. However, we would rather earn that recommendation.

Drinkaware’s Festive Drinking Patterns report, based on a November 2024 survey of 2,300 UK adults, found that 78% of festive work parties take place in a pub, bar or restaurant. That means nearly four parties in five follow the same familiar format.

This guide explores what makes a good work Christmas party before comparing seven popular London options, including ice-free curling, activity bars, immersive dining and traditional seated dinners.

How do you choose a work Christmas party in London?

A good London work Christmas party should have an activity at its centre, allow colleagues of different ages and abilities to participate, work equally well for non-drinkers, accommodate different group sizes, offer clear pricing and feel genuinely festive.

These factors matter because Christmas parties should give people more to do than eat and drink. Drinkaware’s Festive Drinking Patterns report found that 18% of UK employees always or often feel greater pressure to drink from colleagues during the festive period. A shared activity helps remove that pressure by giving the evening a different focus.

YouGov’s Big Survey on Christmas, conducted among 4,243 Britons in November 2025, also found that only 30% typically attend a Christmas party. When colleagues choose to attend, the experience should be worth their time.

Our pick: ice-free curling at The Curling Club

The Curling Club runs ice-free curling parties in London every winter, combining floor curling with street food, seasonal drinks and music.

Ice-free curling is played on a purpose-built indoor sheet using rolling stones rather than ice. There is no cold, specialist clothing or previous experience required. Most guests understand the basics within a few throws, making it suitable for mixed-age and mixed-ability teams.

The activity gives the party a natural focus. Drinkers can enjoy the bar, non-drinkers can take part on equal terms and colleagues have an easy way to interact without relying on small talk.

Groups of 6 to 450 can attend, depending on the venue, with reserved work party packages built for teams of 6 or more, and Pay and Play sessions available for smaller groups. Larger groups can also get in touch about exclusive venue hire.

The Curling Club returns to London in November 2026, with venues at Vinegar Yard near London Bridge and Chelsea Winter Illuminations. 2026 bookings are already open. Packages include The House and Curls of Wisdom, both available for groups of 6 or more, each combining a reserved area, food, drinks and an hour of curling.

The Curling Club is an Official Partner of the Team GB Foundation, with Olympic gold medallist Eve Muirhead returning as its ambassador for a fourth year. The club also partnered with World Curling to host the inaugural UK Floor Curling Championships in February 2026.

The main limitation is that this is not a formal seated dinner. The format is standing, sociable and street-food-led. Teams looking for three courses, assigned seating and speeches over coffee may prefer a traditional dinner.

Popular December Thursdays and Fridays also tend to sell early, so larger groups and teams requiring a specific date should enquire well in advance.

Competitive socialising bars

Shuffleboard, darts, ping pong and crazy golf venues give parties a built-in activity and are easy for most colleagues to enjoy. Prices commonly range from £30 to £45 per person.

The drawback is that many activity bars offer the same experience throughout the year. They can be entertaining, but they may not feel especially festive unless the venue introduces Christmas-specific food, decorations or entertainment.

Immersive themed dining

Immersive dining combines food with actors, theatrical sets and a story unfolding throughout the evening. It can deliver memorable entertainment for teams that want something more elaborate than a standard meal.

Pricing often ranges from £70 to £130 per person before drinks. Audience participation can also divide opinion. Extroverted teams may love it, while colleagues who dislike being placed in the spotlight may find it uncomfortable.

The classic seated dinner and DJ

A traditional seated dinner remains one of the simplest formats to organise. It works well for speeches, awards and companies with a more formal culture.

However, the experience usually revolves around the meal and the bar. This can make the event less engaging for non-drinkers or guests who do not enjoy long periods of seated conversation. It is a reliable choice when formality matters more than activity.

Private karaoke rooms

Karaoke is affordable, easy to organise and often works well for small teams that already know one another.

Private rooms usually accommodate around 10 to 15 people, making the format less practical for medium or large companies. The atmosphere also depends heavily on whether guests are willing to take the microphone.

Big shared party nights

Shared party nights allow several companies to attend the same large-scale event. They often include themed decorations, entertainment, catering and production values that smaller businesses would struggle to arrange independently.

They are a strong option for small teams that want the atmosphere of a much larger celebration. However, guests will share the venue with other companies, and dates, menus and schedules are usually fixed.

Landmark and museum hire

Hiring a museum, historic building or famous London landmark can create a highly memorable and prestigious event.

The main limitation is cost. Prices are often only available after an enquiry, frequently exceed £100 per person and may involve substantial minimum spends. This can put landmark hire beyond the budget of many small and medium-sized businesses.

Which London Christmas party format is best?

Ice-free curling offers one of the strongest overall combinations of accessibility, group flexibility, clear activity and festive atmosphere. Competitive socialising venues also perform well for participation, although they may feel less seasonal.

Immersive dining and shared party nights provide more theatrical Christmas experiences but generally cost more and offer less flexibility. Seated dinners remain the strongest option for formal occasions, while landmark venues offer the greatest sense of spectacle.

Private karaoke can be excellent for smaller, close-knit teams but is difficult to scale. The right choice ultimately depends on whether your priorities are interaction, formality, cost, flexibility or visual impact.

At The Curling Club, drinks remain part of the experience, so it would not be accurate to describe the event as completely separate from drinking. Package availability can also change during the season, so it’s worth confirming details before booking. However, the activity ensures the bar does not have to be the main focus.

When should you book a work Christmas party in London?

Book your London work Christmas party by early autumn for a good choice of December dates. Larger groups should begin enquiring from spring, particularly when they need a Thursday or Friday.

By October, many of the most popular dates have already been secured by larger companies, HR teams and event organisers. Smaller groups may still find availability in November, but their choice of dates and times will be more limited.

For The Curling Club, 2026 bookings are already open, with both venues reopening in November. Larger groups should enquire early, while smaller teams can book directly online.

Choosing your Christmas party

Choose your priorities before choosing the venue. A central activity, inclusive format and good experience for non-drinkers will immediately distinguish your event from the majority of work Christmas parties.

A seated dinner may be right for teams that value formality, speeches and a traditional celebration. However, teams looking for a more interactive night may prefer curling, social games, karaoke or immersive entertainment.

For a festive activity that accommodates different group sizes and requires no previous experience, consider an ice-free curling party at The Curling Club.

Frequently asked questions

What can you do at a work Christmas party besides drinking?

Activity-led formats such as curling, shuffleboard, darts, immersive theatre and karaoke give the evening a focus beyond alcohol. This can make the event more comfortable and enjoyable for colleagues who do not drink.

What is ice-free curling?

Ice-free curling, also known as floor curling, is played on a purpose-built indoor sheet using rolling stones instead of ice. Guests do not need specialist clothing or previous experience, making it suitable for work groups with different ages and abilities.

How much does a work Christmas party in London cost per person?

Activity bars commonly cost between £30 and £45 per person. Immersive dining and shared party nights can range from £70 to £130, while landmark venues often cost more than £100 per person.

The Curling Club offers a range of packages, from Pay and Play sessions to fully reserved group packages such as The House and Curls of Wisdom. Current pricing is available on the booking page.

How far in advance should you book a work Christmas party?

Book by early autumn for a good selection of December dates. Groups of 50 or more should begin planning from spring. Thursday and Friday dates usually sell first.

Can a Christmas party suit drinkers and non-drinkers?

Yes. Activity-led venues work particularly well because the entertainment does not depend on drinking. Guests can participate in the same experience regardless of what they order from the bar.

Is curling difficult to learn?

No. Most guests learn the basic technique within a few throws and can begin playing competitively during their first session. Previous sporting experience is not required.