There’s nothing quite like a Christmas party to bring the whole team together. After a long year of hard work, it’s a chance to celebrate, socialise and let your hair down outside the usual office environment. But the benchmark for what makes an on-trend Christmas party is evolving. As with everything from workplace culture to dining out, Christmas party trends come and go. Luckily, what’s ‘trending’ for 2026 sounds like a load of fun.
Out with the old, in with the new, right? Well, we start thinking about Christmas and trends as early as June, and we’ve noted some things. Chief among them? The old minimalist-chic festive styling is on its way out, making way for more interesting and unique venues and bold design. Another trend with 2026 Christmas parties is that sustainability has gone from ‘trend’ to baseline expectation. Rather than novel reasons to choose one Christmas party over another, sustainable Christmas party features, like responsible local sourcing and waste reduction, are standard assumptions.
So what Christmas party trends are new for 2026? We’ve rounded up the headliners, so you can take your office party to the next level, from what types of food we’re seeing more of to which kinds of festive venues you should look to if you want to make a splash. The main takeaway is that value is the new luxury. Businesses are continuing to invest in Christmas parties even as costs rise, but as many industry experts report, guest expectations are greater than ever.
As almost every single 2026 Christmas party trend on this list shows, it isn’t necessarily about spending the most; what matters more is making sure guests can see and feel where that money went (spent on them!). It also reflects the post-Covid shift towards work from home scheduled: connection and shared experience are the drivers for 2026.
Format and timing trends for 2026
Sure, the typical Thursday or Friday evening with dinner followed by a dance or disco of some kind remains popular, but we've noticed some other patterns in Christmas party bookings.
1. Early bird gets the Christmas booking
![crazy golf course and festive stuyling]()
In-demand venues like Swingers West End see Thursday and Friday dates, along with the most popular private spaces, snapped up quickly.
Key takeaway: Bookings are getting earlier each year as companies plan ahead to get the widest choice of venues, dates and experiences.
If you haven’t booked your Christmas party yet, now is the time to get things moving. Christmas party planning has been creeping earlier for years, and 2026 bookings are no exception.
‘We’ve seen a strong start to the Christmas season this year, with early bookings giving us plenty of reasons to be optimistic. Clients are approaching with more realistic budgets and greater flexibility, which is helping conversations progress. - Jason Wintur, Director of Sales at Swingers UK
The most popular venues and dates will disappear well before December, particularly for larger groups or parties seeking out more than a dinner and disco. September remains the busiest month for booking Christmas and end-of-year celebrations, but booking early isn’t just about securing a date. It gives you more choice when it comes to room layouts, menus, entertainment and activities, rather than having to build your party around whatever might still be available.
So, if you have a particular venue in mind, don’t assume there’ll still be space when you check in later in October.
2. Immersive experiences replace passive entertainment
![mamma mia actors with a guitar]()
Your chosen immersion can be anything. We’re thinking about a Greek escape to the world of Mamma Mia! The Party
Key takeaway: There's a wider appetite for events that feel less choreographed, less curated, but more real and participatory.
‘Immersive’ has become something of an event buzzword, but the idea of what qualifies is evolving. In 2026, the most interesting experiences aren’t simply about giving guests something spectacular to look at; they give them something to do.
‘People expect more than ever before and they're exposed to a constant stream of experiences through social media. A beautiful room and good food are no longer enough. Guests want immersion, entertainment, storytelling and moments worth sharing. They're looking for experiences that feel unique and memorable. That's raised the bar for everyone in hospitality’ - Markus Thesleff, Thesleff Group founder and CEO
There are plenty of immersive experiences to choose from, like engaging your team’s problem-solving skills by finding your way out of an escape room. Or, bring the party to you by hosting an immersive murder mystery event. Get ready to bust out your acting chops and put on your detective’s cap - it’s often the ones you least expect.
Experiences where guests become part of the action:
3. Activities are becoming a Christmas party cornerstone
![pool table and photobooth at The Lucky Goat]()
You don’t need to settle for one activity either; venues like The Lucky Goat can offer multiple, from pool and darts to shuffleboard and karaoke
Key takeaway: Christmas venues with activities facilitate connection beyond teams.
Activity-led Christmas party venues and competitive socialising have been popular for a while now, but the appeal is shifting. Rather than just an alternative to dancing and DJs, activity venues are increasingly seen as necessary tools to connect people who typically wouldn’t interact day-to-day in the office.
Good activity-led options include:
Turns out, organised fun can be genuinely fun! You just need to know where to look. If you like the idea of an action-packed event, sports simulators will bring the buzz of the big game to your office party, and involve every member of the team regardless of ability. Other options include gaming arcades, cooking classes, and karaoke, all of which help break the ice and sidestep the small talk, all while providing a helpful change of pace from eating and drinking.
Check out our round-up of top Christmas party venues with activities if you’re looking for more inspiration for this year’s entertainment.
4. Christmas lunch is having a moment
Key takeaway: Lunchtime Christmas parties can increase attendance, open up more dates, and make things a little cheaper.
Who says the Christmas party has to happen after dark? Christmas lunches, festive brunches and daytime celebrations are increasingly appealing alternatives to the traditional evening do. It’s got a lot to do with modern working patterns, accommodating flexitime hours, childcare schedules, and those relying on longer commuting networks. It also takes away some of the pressure in trying to secure a peak Thursday or Friday evening in December.
It’s not necessarily daytime only, though; some are opting for late lunch bookings with early evening entertainment and dancing later on in the night to guarantee everyone can attend at least a portion of the festivities.
5. Smaller celebrations are becoming more appealing
![red private diing room with gold leaves and tree]()
Smaller groups need not compromise on impressive spaces; we think the private dining room at Bocconcino Soho proves that
Key takeaway: Smaller groups go for more intimate festivities with thoughtful touches.
Bigger doesn’t always mean better. Particularly with small and medium businesses, social groups, and families, a thoughtfully curated Christmas party often wins out. These types of events focus on detail and meaningful moments rather than sheer size, allowing for quality time and catch-ups over cosy, candlelit dinners, and smaller private spaces to enjoy a canape and drinks reception.
For teams that spend much of the week working from home, a Christmas party might be one of few occasions to get everyone together, so going for an intimate private dining room, restaurant, or pub can make the most of that opportunity.
We’ve got plenty of venue recommendations for those wanting to keep their celebration on the smaller side, from intimate London Christmas party venues to small but powerful festive spaces across the UK.
6. January is the new December
![Christmas party at Curling Club]()
Curling Club, London Bridge, is a great venue for those wanting to push their party back to January
Key takeaway: Moving the party into January can mean better availability, better value and less festive-season pressure.
We all know that the majority of celebrations take place in the run-up to Christmas, but who says the Christmas party has to be in December? More and more companies are opting to host their festive celebrations in January - and honestly, it makes perfect sense. People have more time for a celebration, and venues often have better availability, with more affordable rates for those on a budget.
Kicking off the new year with a belated Christmas party can also serve as a brilliant morale booster, and it gives your guests something fun to look forward to after the post-holiday slump. We’ve put together a whole guide on January Christmas parties, with all the reasons why it might be the perfect celebration for you and the team.
Christmas decor and design trends for 2026
Christmas has always been a bit extra. But this year, we're seeing venues and planners taking things up a notch. Shimmering gold accents, big nostalgic themes? Read on to see what's hot for 2026.
7. More is more: Unusual maximalist spaces are in
![Christmas party evenings at Warner Brows Studio]()
How about surrounding yourself in the magical backdrop of Hogwarts at Warner Bros Studio Tour?
Key takeaway: Minimalist Christmas styling is making way for richer, bolder and more theatrical aesthetics.
Let’s be honest, Christmas parties have never been the place for restraint, but 2026 Christmas parties are pushing festive decor further. After years of minimalist styling and pared-back ‘clean’ aesthetics, restaurant and event venue designers, along with planners, are now embracing maximalism, layering different textures, colours, lighting and installations that create real ‘wow moments’.
Look to glamorous festive options like:
- Oversized and unusual installations: Sketch
- Rich greens, burgundy and warm metallics: Sarastro
- Velvet, draping and layered textures: The Mandrake
The idea is less ‘Christmas decorations’ and more ‘Christmas world’. And for companies investing more in their celebrations, transforming the space can make a relatively familiar venue feel completely different.
8. Nostalgia takes centre stage
![Mario Kart on screen at Little Neon Door]()
Nostalgia is the name of the game with The Little Neon Door, which takes cues from flatshares, complete with a games room packed with 90s nostalgia
Key takeaway: Christmas is nostalgic by nature, so lean into that with references your party will relate to.
Christmas is already steeped in nostalgia, but 2026 is turning the dial up. Rather than relying on generic festive styling, parties are looking backwards for inspiration, embracing familiar music, retro references and the kitsch side of Christmas - ‘kitschmas’, if you will.
That could mean a 1980s or 1990s soundtrack, old-school Christmas decorations, retro games, classic festive films or a deliberately over-the-top styling. Nostalgia is an easy way to create a shared point of reference, from beloved Christmas films, particular decades, or a load of tinsel. In other words, festive doesn’t necessarily have to mean tasteful!
9. Cosy corners are replacing rigid layouts
![velvet room with lounge seating and christmas styling]()
Plush interiors and casual seating at the velvety Bonnar’s At The Scott make a strong case for casual layouts
Key takeaway: Comfort and greater flexibility for eating, drinking, chatting? The best spaces give guests options.
The days of filling an event space with rows of identikit tables no longer apply. In 2026, Christmas parties are increasingly designed around different zones and ways to spend the evening, rather than expecting everyone to sit in the same place from arrival to dessert.
Comfortable lounge areas give guests somewhere to settle with a drink, catch up with colleagues or take a breather from the dance floor. They can also make larger venues feel more intimate. Event stylists are specifically highlighting lounge areas, sofas, armchairs and softer lighting as part of this move towards more comfortable, social spaces.
Want cosy season vibes? Seek out: Velvet sofas and armchairs, low coffee and cocktail tables, separate seating clusters, dedicated quiet or conversation areas.
2026 Christmas food and drink trends
It's the best part of a festive do, but it seems the traditional turkey dinner with half a bottle of red isn't quite cutting it for the trend-setting lot. Discover what the cool companies are organising in the way of food and drink.
10. Food gets less formal, more interesting
![tapas dishes laid out as finger food on a table]()
If informal food sounds good, Bar Kroketa St Christophers Place is a no-brainer - who does tapas better than the Spanish?
Key takeaway: More ways to do festive food well, often at a more reasonable price per head.
The traditional Christmas dinner isn’t going anywhere, but the way it’s served is changing. More companies are looking beyond the formal three-course meal in favour of more sociable, flexible dining. It’s about creating a format where guests can still mingle and chat while eating, without dinner seeming like a two-hour interruption between drinks reception and dancing. Just make sure you’ve got enough to go around; a good amount of food at a Christmas party is essential.
That could mean: sharing dishes, bowl food, street-food stations, grazing tables of chef-led counters.
11. Festive set menus still make sense
![Festive set menu at Ayllu]()
Opt for a multi-course set menu at Ayllu, Paddington this Christmas
Key takeaway: A fixed-price menu makes budgeting easier, and can feel like a family meal.
For all the excitement around more informal food, there’s a reason the set menu remains a Christmas-party staple. Whether it’s three courses or five, a sit-down meal is often the simplest option when planning a Christmas party, with varied menus that ensure there’s something for everyone, often at a snip of the usual cost.
Plus, they’re perfect for larger group bookings, allowing you to safely budget in advance, compare options quickly, and with advance ordering you can avoid unexpected costs on the night. Restaurants tend to offer drinks packages, or wine pairing options for those looking to take the celebration to the next level. We've put together a list of our favourite festive set menus in London, so be sure to get one booked for your next celebration.
12. Inclusivity matters more
Key takeaway: The lean towards sober-friendly events isn't going away; wider inclusivity concerns are changing Christmas party planning.
The days when the success of a Christmas party was measured by how much everyone drank are long gone - and in many ways, that’s a good thing. Rather than centring on drinks, in 2026, a good celebration should work for people with different tastes, access requirements and ideas of what makes a good night out.
With venues upping their non-alc game to meet popular demand, it’s now much easier to find packages that include premium 0% options without even needing to ask. If you're not sure where to start, then check out our guide on how to make your event sober-friendly, where we share a ton of handy tips and tricks.
At the same time, we’re seeing dietary requirements handled with greater care. It’s not just ‘roast dinner without turkey’ anymore; venues now offer properly thought-out dishes, not just simple substitutions.
A more inclusive Christmas party should consider:
- Drinks: Genuinely good 0% options, not just alcohol-free beer
- Food: Properly considered vegetarian, vegan and allergy-friendly choices
- Accessibility: Activities and spaces that everyone can participate in
- Downtime: Somewhere quieter to retreat to if needed
- Transport: Good public transport links and realistic finish times
Struggling to find a venue for your Christmas party? Head over to our Christmas party venue directory to find the perfect space for you, or look to some of the very best shared party venues in London and joiner parties across the UK, so you can just buy the tickets and leave the rest to the pros.