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Key takeaways
- Calendars open 90 days ahead, so Christmas dates can already be booked, and evenings go first.
- 24 to 27 December 2026 (Thursday to Sunday) are all charged at the weekend rate.
- For weekday rates, choose 21 to 23 December or an earlier Monday to Thursday.
- Read the cancellation policy before paying for a popular date; under Strict you must cancel 7 days ahead for a full refund.
- Agree the gift exchange budget and format in advance.
Christmas is a popular time for parties, so book once your date is fixed to get the room you want. Venue calendars on Gatherland open 90 days ahead, which means Christmas can be booked about three months in advance. In 2026, Thursday 24 December is the day before a public holiday and 25 to 27 December fall on Friday to Sunday, so all four days are charged at the weekend rate; for a lower price, look at weekday evenings in the week or two before.
- 90 days
- Calendars open, so Christmas is bookable now
- 4 days
- 24 to 27 December all at the weekend rate
- 3 days
- 21 to 23 December still at weekday rates
Which Christmas 2026 dates are at the weekend rate?
On Gatherland, Friday to Sunday, public holidays and the day before a public holiday are charged at the weekend rate. Over Christmas 2026:
| Date | Day | Rate | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 to 23 December | Monday to Wednesday | Weekday | Ordinary weekdays |
| 24 December | Thursday | Weekend | Day before a public holiday |
| 25 December | Friday | Weekend | Christmas Day, a public holiday |
| 26 December | Saturday | Weekend | First weekday after Christmas Day, a public holiday |
| 27 December | Sunday | Weekend | Sunday |
For weekday rates, consider 21 to 23 December (Monday to Wednesday) or earlier Monday-to-Thursday evenings. Office Christmas parties in particular can work well on a weekday. For typical price levels, see the price index.
What should I look for in a Christmas venue?
Headcount
An office party and a friends' dinner are very different sizes. Enter your real group size, or browse by size such as party rooms for 20 people, and unsuitable rooms drop out.
Food
Christmas dinner is the centrepiece. Options:
- A party room with a kitchen to cook your own dinner
- A party room with hot pot, a winter favourite
- A party room with BBQ; some offer BBQ food sets as add-ons
If you are cooking, ask about the oven size: a turkey or whole chicken may not fit a small oven. For a big group, plan a few simple dishes or order part of the meal for delivery, writing the floor and unit on the order or arranging to meet the rider downstairs.
Atmosphere
For a Christmas film, choose a room with a projector; for carols, a room with karaoke.
Christmas party venues
How do we run a gift exchange?
A gift exchange is the main event at many Christmas parties. Popular formats:
Secret Santa
Draw names in advance so each person knows who they are buying for, and reveal on the day. Set a spending limit so it is fair.
Pass the parcel
Put all the gifts together and pass them around while music plays; whatever you hold when it stops is yours.
Gift swap
Each person in turn picks a new gift or takes one someone else has already opened. It gets lively, so agree how many times a gift can be taken.
For more ideas, see party games for groups.
How should the evening run?
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Start | Put up the tree and lights, set out food |
| Early | Christmas dinner |
| Middle | Gift exchange and games |
| Later | Carols, a film or console games |
| Before the end | Take down decorations, tidy up |
Setup time must be part of the booking. Decoration rules vary, so message the host from the venue page before booking.
Planning checklist
- 1
October: pick a date
Use the date poll. Calendars open 90 days ahead, so Christmas dates are already bookable and the earliest bookers get the most choice.
- 2
October to November: choose and book
Read the cancellation policy and deposit before paying. Office parties can take weekday rates on 21 to 23 December.
- 3
November: set the gift exchange rules
Agree the spending limit and format, and draw names early for Secret Santa.
- 4
Early December: share out the jobs
Split food, decorations and gifts in the party checklist, and work out each share with the cost splitter.
- 5
The day before: confirm entry
Check the entry details and send everyone the address and nearest MTR exit. Streets and trains are busy over Christmas, so allow extra time.
Cancellation
Each venue uses a Flexible, Standard or Strict cancellation policy; see the cancellation policy. A security deposit is always returned in full on cancellation.
To keep the party going to the end of the year, see the New Year's Eve countdown venue guide. Thursday 31 December 2026 is the day before New Year's Day, so it is also charged at the weekend rate.
Frequently asked questions
When can I book a party room for Christmas?
Venue calendars on Gatherland open 90 days ahead, so Christmas dates can be booked about three months before. Evening slots around Christmas are the most popular, so book once the date is fixed.
Which days around Christmas 2026 are charged at the weekend rate?
Christmas Day, Friday 25 December 2026, and the first weekday after Christmas Day, Saturday 26 December, are public holidays. Friday to Sunday are weekend-rate days anyway, and Thursday 24 December is the day before a public holiday, so it is charged at the weekend rate too.
Can we cook our own Christmas dinner?
Choose a party room with a kitchen or with hot pot. Before booking, ask the host what cookware there is and whether there is a fridge and oven.
Will I get a refund if I cancel over Christmas?
That depends on whether the venue uses a Flexible, Standard or Strict policy and how early you cancel. Check the venue's policy before booking.
Is New Year's Eve also at the weekend rate?
Yes. Thursday 31 December 2026 is the day before New Year's Day, a public holiday on Friday 1 January 2027, so it is charged at the weekend rate.
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