The festive season might seem a far-off prospect for many, but our members have spent six months developing their 2016 Christmas party packages to inspire organisers and delight guests. In this issue of the newsletter we offer a rundown of the highlights.
Magical museums
From dining under ‘Dippy’ the Diplodocus to enjoying a festive feast in the elegance of a grade II listed Georgian building, Unique Venues of London is home to a number of world-famous museums getting into the festive spirit for 2016.
The Natural History Museum has once again partnered with Ultimate Experience, the leading event management company to invite guests to dine beneath the stars and party with a Stegosaurus in its Earth Hall. With capacity for 100-650 guests, Hintze Hall is also available with its dramatic sense of place and its grand entrance leading to soaring Romanesque arches and a magnificent stone staircase. December 2016 marks the last chance for guests to dine at the feet of the iconic Diplodocus cast, as the museum prepares to make way for a new star in 2017. For more information click here
The Foundling Museum is the perfect venue to host your Christmas event, with the grade II listed Georgian-style building providing a stunning, central location for any dinner or drinks reception. Enjoy a Christmas party to remember in remarkable and historic spaces, with Hogarth, Gainsborough and Reynolds for company. Guests have exclusive use of the whole Museum and can explore the opulent galleries whilst enjoying drinks and canapés. Hold a dinner for up to 100 in the stunning Picture Gallery, or a reception for up to 250 throughout the Museum. The Museum has partnered with caterers Lodge to create this special Christmas package. For more information click here
This festive season, the Museum of London is offering a fantastic selection of reception and dinner packages. Located in the heart of the City, the museum provides an incredible backdrop for your company’s Christmas celebration. Guests will be greeted on arrival with a glass of sparkling wine from the stylish Entrance Hall bar. The journey begins 450,000 years BC and, after passing through the beautiful 17th century Pleasure Gardens, evocative Victorian Walk and People’s City Gallery, guests will arrive in the Sackler Hall, with its show-stopping 360 degree LED ellipse to a seated dinner or standing reception. Guests can then dance the night away to a house DJ in the Sackler Hall or back in the Entrance Hall. For more information click here
This year, capture the magic of a Christmas in Canary Wharf’s only grade 1 listed venue. Dating back to 1802, the venue was once a store for vast quantities of rum, sugar and molasses from the West Indies, a past that resonates through the building. This sense of history creates a perfect setting for a themed party, giving that special ‘Winter Wonderland’ feeling to Christmas parties and dinners for up to 150 guests and receptions for 100 – 600 people. For more information click here
Mix business with pleasure and celebrate 2016 in style at London Transport Museum. Host a corporate Christmas celebration at London Transport Museum in the heart of Covent Garden. The impressive grade II listed building acts as an ornate backdrop for spectacular displays of colour, light and fun interactive exhibits which provide great talking points for guests. Mingle or dine alongside one of London’s favourite icons, the red London bus, play on the simulators and vintage vehicles and explore the past, present and future of London’s transport. For more information click here
Celebrate the festive season at one of Royal Museums Greenwich five historic venues. Enjoy drinks in the classic setting of the Queen’s House, dine in an original Sir Christopher Wren interior at Flamsteed House or dance the night away under the gleaming hull of the Cutty Sark. Royal Museums Greenwich are offering 10% off venue hire and an additional event hour at no extra cost. With limited dates available, enquire with the team as soon as you can. For more information click here
IWM has launched a new Christmas package to celebrate the launch of a new immersive exhibition: Real to Reel: A Century of War Movies. This exhibition features props, scripts, costumes and film clips from Atonement, War Horse, Casablanca, Jarhead, Saving Private Ryan, The Dam Busters and many other films and explores how film-makers have found inspiration from war's inherent drama to translate stories of love and loss, fear and courage, triumph and tragedy into blockbusters for the big screen. This new movie Christmas package includes: Movie themed entertainment – arrive on the red carpet to the paparazzi, drinks reception – themed drinks and canapés, entry to the Real to Reel exhibition, atmospheric lighting outside and inside the venue, a three course dinner, movie themed table centres, 10 “Oscar” awards to give as present to guests, a DJ, and exclusive hire of the venue. For more information click here
Step back in time
Step back in time to the roaring ‘20s and enter a surreptitious ‘speakeasy’ for a Chicago Ice Tea or enjoy a cockle-warming rum at an atmospheric smuggler’s cove.
The Garden Room is the scene for Christmas packages at Hampton Court Palace, set in the beautiful Tiltyard Gardens, and is a splendid 1920’s Orangery style building with French doors opening onto paved terraces and manicured lawns. The venue can hold up to 220 guests for dinner, with ice-skating for guests an option on arrival. Enter the Ice Palace this Christmas! For more information click here
London’s exclusive rooftop venue, The Deck at the National Theatre invites you to enjoy its much anticipated theme for Christmas 2016 - Moonshine Micky’s. For a limited time only the venue will be transformed into a 1920s speakeasy hosted by the elusive Moonshine Micky, an infamous gangster returning to the city for one last hoorah. On arrival guests will be asked for a secret password sent by Micky himself to allow your entry into the speakeasy. Once inside a welcoming glass of Micky’s Chicago Ice Tea will be offered and guests will be instantly transported back to the prohibition era - the blank-canvas space will be unrecognisable with wood panelling and a mysterious doorway. For more information click here
Celebrate Christmas in 1940’s style and hold your lunch or dinner party underground at Churchill War Rooms. Enter the once secret underground headquarters and indulge in a sumptuous festive dinner, whilst sipping a glass or two! Dance the night away and celebrate the festive season in 1940’s style ensuring a party your colleagues will never forget. For more information click here
Nestled in a dark, secluded cove under the bridge’s road is the entrance to Lantern Cove, an atmospheric smuggler’s den. Beyond the brick arches, ironwork and bold doors, is a glowing party with flickering lanterns, rum punches and nights of revelry. Guests will be greeted with cinnamon rum punches or damson gin muddles and welcomed further into our engine coves on arrival. Max capacity is 60 for dinner or 120 for a standing reception. For more information click here
Decadently different
If dining on the deck of an iconic battleship floats your boat, or if donning a tuxedo and channelling your inner-James Bond is your thing, then look no further.
Royal Institute of British Architects
Have a spectacular Christmas party at RIBA Venues for just £98.00 per guest this year! Join the Circus this Christmas and be greeted by acrobats and clown waiters. Indulge in street foods, unlimited drinks and dance the night away. Ask your guests to wear masks and feathers to add to the Circus atmosphere, and treat your guests this Christmas to a festive celebration they won’t forget. For more information click here.
Experience an evening of glamour and charm at Twickenham Stadium this December as you immerse yourself into the world of James Bond. Twickenham are offering both private and shared Christmas party options with a selection of packages. Each package includes a late night DJ and casino tables, plus a dedicated event manager to make planning your party that little bit easier. The stadium can host parties from as little as 10 people up to 1200. For more information click here
Celebrate the festive season with a party on board the historic and elegant HMS Belfast. With panoramic views of the River Thames, including Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, plus a choice of intimate reception spaces and dining areas, HMS Belfast really is the perfect venue for a truly unique Christmas party. For more information click here
Located in central London close to public transport, Madame Tussauds offers private hire dinner and dance space for up to 350 guests. Madame Tussauds is also available for standing parties for up to 1000 guests. More than 10 new wax figures are created each year of well-known celebrities, making it a must see attraction for both national and international guests. For more information click here
ZSL London Zoo is the perfect place for a unique and exhilarating Christmas party with more than a touch of animal magic. With four stunning event venues to choose from, your party will be steeped in luxury; with a variety of mesmerizing environments to explore and unique animal encounters. For more information click here
Rarefied Revelry
London bursts with beautiful, elegant and landmark venues. For the 2016 Christmas season corporates can dance the night away in a former Hawksmoor church or sip Champagne in the courtyard of a neo-classical masterpiece.
The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich is the perfect place to mark the most wonderful time of the year. The magnificent collection of rooms and buildings, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, means they can offer Christmas Parties and dining for widely varying numbers and requirements. Exclusive packages have been created with a traditional feel in mind, with items including; exclusive venue hire of your selected event space from 18:00 pm – Midnight; a glass of prosecco upon arrival; a three course dinner menu; elegant and traditional table decorations, Christmas tree and crackers, plus much more. For more information click here.
Somerset House is the ideal central London, riverside location for your Christmas party this year. Make the most of the wintry weather as one of London's most beautiful outdoor ice rinks returns for Skate at Somerset House with Fortnum & Mason this festive season. Exclusive hire of the famous ice rink for up to 200 people is available before tickets go on sale to the general public in September, whilst the East Wing overlooking the ice rink on the courtyard level is also available holding up to 300 for a drinks reception, as well as other event spaces such as the Portico, Navy Board Rooms and Seaman’s Hall. For more information click here
On arrival, guests will approach a magnificent entrance beneath the impressively-lit Hawksmoor spire then continue into the beautiful Jerwood Hall, in which the commanding architecture will be enhanced with careful, sensitive lighting. Relaxing music will filter around the room and – most importantly – guests will be greeted by friendly waiting staff offering a perfectly chilled drink to start the night. As the reception draws to a close, it’s time to dine – choose from a tempting selection of signature canapés and bowl food or a more formal seated dinner with beautiful linens and creative table centres. For evening events, when guests finish eating they’re invited to party as the DJ picks up the tempo. For more information click here
Fulham Palace lends itself to the Christmas party season so naturally. Being a former home to the Bishops of London, our celebrations here take on an intimate and buzzing house party style. A roaring fire and a real Christmas tree adorned with decorations creates the perfect backdrop for a festive drinks reception. Or, enjoy a delicious three course meal whilst the rest of the Palace is transformed for the evening party. A DJ or band can be booked to ensure the dancefloor is immediately busy all night! For more information click here
Whether it's a sophisticated black tie dinner in the Great Room for 140 guests or dance the night away in the subterranean Vaults amongst 200 others, the RSA House has something for everyone. Food is provided by specialist caterer Harbour & Jones Events who design, plan and cater for all RSA House events, creating seasonal menus using sustainably and ethically sourced ingredients and buying from small, local, independent suppliers where possible. For more information click here