If you’re planning a Christmas party in the UK, you won’t be short of places to celebrate with loads of destinations in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland where you can combine great activities, food, drinks, entertainment and a bit of Christmas magic.
Whether you’re organising a UK work Christmas party, a team night out, a festive get together with friends, fun with family or a full Christmas weekend away, choosing the right destination can make all the difference. So, where should you go? Let’s take a look at some of the best places to have a Christmas party in the UK.
Belfast
Belfast is a great choice for a Christmas party if you want a city break with loads of history, great food, lively nightlife and a festive atmosphere. Northern Ireland’s capital has a compact city centre, so it’s easy to get between activities, restaurants, bars and attractions, which is always useful when you’re organising a group and trying to keep everyone together.
The Cathedral Quarter is one of the best places to start. It’s packed with pubs, restaurants, bars and live music venues, with cobbled streets and historic buildings adding plenty of character to a Christmas night out. The area around Commercial Court is particularly popular, while nearby streets offer everything from traditional pubs to cocktail bars and late night venues.
The city centre is also a great place to visit during December. Belfast Christmas Market takes place at Belfast City Hall, bringing festive food, market stalls, seasonal drinks and entertainment into the heart of the city. You can easily combine a visit to the market with Christmas shopping around Donegall Place and Royal Avenue before heading off for dinner.
If your group is arriving early, there’s plenty to see and do before the Christmas party begins. You could visit Titanic Belfast at the site where the famous ship was built, explore Belfast City Hall, take a black cab tour or wander through the Cathedral Quarter. St George’s Market is another popular option, particularly at the weekend, with food, local produce and independent traders.
If you’re staying longer, you could also use Belfast as a base for exploring more of Northern Ireland, although you might want to leave the Giant’s Causeway for another day when nobody’s recovering from the Christmas party.
Birmingham
Birmingham is right in the heart of England and is one of the UK’s best choices for a big Christmas party. It’s easy to reach from all over the country, has a huge choice of restaurants and bars and has enough going on to keep a group entertained.
The city centre is particularly good for group celebrations. The Mailbox is home to restaurants, bars and riverside venues, while Broad Street is one of Birmingham’s best-known nightlife areas, with bars and clubs stretching along the famous strip. Brindleyplace is another popular option for food and drinks, and the Jewellery Quarter offers a slightly different atmosphere with independent bars, restaurants and some of the city’s most interesting places to eat.
Birmingham also goes all in on Christmas. The Frankfurt Christmas Market brings festive food, drinks and traditional market stalls into the city centre, while the surrounding streets are filled with Christmas lights and shoppers in search of presents. It’s a great place to visit during December, particularly if your group wants to arrive early, do a bit of shopping and have a few festive drinks before the main event.
For groups looking for things to do before their Christmas party, there’s also the Jewellery Quarter to explore, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, the canals around Brindleyplace and the famous Bullring shopping centre. You could spend the afternoon shopping, book a group activity or simply meet for drinks before heading out for dinner.
With excellent train connections and Birmingham New Street right in the city centre, it’s also a practical option for groups travelling from different parts of the UK.
Brighton
Brighton is on the south coast of England and is a great choice if you want your Christmas party to feel like a party. It’s known for its seafront, independent shops, creative food scene, nightlife and eccentric personality, which makes it a fun place to visit at any time of year.
During December, the city centre and seafront take on a festive feel, with Christmas events, seasonal shopping and plenty of places to warm up with food and drinks. The Lanes are one of the best areas to explore, with narrow streets filled with independent shops, restaurants, pubs and cocktail bars. The North Laine is another popular part of the city, particularly if your group likes vintage shops, unusual gifts and independent places to eat.
For a Christmas party, Brighton gives you loads of choice. You could book a festive dinner near the seafront, arrange drinks in the Lanes or head towards West Street and the surrounding nightlife areas for a bigger night out. There are also lots of group activities to choose from, so you don’t have to make the Christmas meal the only event of the day.
If your group is visiting for a Christmas party weekend, there’s lots to see and do before the evening celebrations. You could walk along the seafront, visit the Royal Pavilion, explore the shops around the North Laine or take a trip up the i360 for views across the city and the coast. Even in December, Brighton is easy to explore on foot, with many of the main attractions and nightlife areas close together.
It’s also easy to reach from London and other parts of the southeast, making it a popular choice for office Christmas parties and group weekends. Brighton has a good selection of hotels and accommodation, so your group can stay overnight rather than worrying about getting everyone home after a few festive drinks.
Bristol
Bristol is in the southwest of England and is one of the UK’s most distinctive cities for a Christmas party. It’s known for its street art, music, food, independent businesses and colourful neighbourhoods, giving it a character that makes a festive night out feel a little different from the usual city centre Christmas party.
The Harbourside is a popular place to start. The waterfront is surrounded by restaurants, bars and attractions, so it’s easy to arrange food and drinks without spending the evening travelling across the city. The Old City and King Street are also great areas for pubs, restaurants and bars, with historic buildings providing a rather lovely backdrop for a Christmas night out.
If your group is visiting during the day, Bristol has lots to do before the party begins. You could explore the Harbourside, visit the SS Great Britain, take a walk through the old city centre or head up to Clifton to see the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge. Christmas shopping is also a good option, with Cabot Circus and the surrounding city centre offering plenty of shops if you’re looking to pick up a few last-minute presents.
Bristol’s food and drink scene is a big part of its appeal. You’ll find everything from independent restaurants and traditional pubs to cocktail bars, breweries and venues designed specifically for group celebrations.
There are also lots of options for a Bristol Christmas party, from private dining and festive meals to group activities and evening entertainment. The city is easy to reach from across the southwest and South Wales, making it a practical meeting point for groups who don’t all live in the same place.
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital of Wales and is one of the best places to have a Christmas party if you want a city centre celebration where everything is close together. The city has a great mix of historic attractions, shopping, restaurants, bars and nightlife, making it easy to plan a full day and evening without spending half of it travelling between venues.
The city centre is the obvious place to start, with St Mary Street and the surrounding streets offering a wide choice of bars, restaurants and nightlife. The Brewery Quarter is another popular area for group celebrations, with restaurants, bars and entertainment venues all within easy reach of one another.
Cardiff is particularly good around Christmas because the city centre becomes a major destination for festive shopping. The Christmas markets run through the city centre, with stalls selling gifts, food and seasonal treats, while the surrounding shopping streets are decorated for the festive season. It’s easy to combine Christmas shopping with lunch, drinks and a group activity before heading out for the main party.
There’s also lots to do if your group is arriving early. Cardiff Castle sits right in the city centre and is one of the city’s most famous landmarks, while the National Museum Cardiff is another option if you’re looking for something to do during the day. Cardiff Bay is also worth visiting, with restaurants, bars and attractions around the waterfront.
For a Cardiff Christmas party, you could arrange a festive meal, book a private event or choose a group activity before heading into the city centre for drinks. The city is compact enough that you can usually move between venues without complicated transport plans, which is always useful when you’re organising a group and trying to keep everyone together.
Cardiff is also a good option for groups travelling from across South Wales and the west of England. With regular trains arriving into the city centre, it’s easy to reach and has a good range of hotels for anyone turning the Christmas party into an overnight stay.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is one of the most spectacular places to visit at Christmas, so it’s no surprise that it makes a fantastic destination for a festive party. Scotland’s capital is famous for its historic Old Town, dramatic castle, winding streets and beautiful architecture, and during December the city takes on an especially festive atmosphere.
Edinburgh’s Christmas celebrations are centred around the city centre, with seasonal markets, fairground rides, food stalls and festive events bringing visitors into the heart of the city. Princes Street is particularly impressive at this time of year, with views towards Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town providing a memorable setting for a Christmas weekend.
For food and drinks, there are lots of options around the Old Town and New Town. George Street is known for its restaurants, bars and stylish venues, while the Grassmarket is surrounded by historic buildings, pubs and places to eat. The Old Town also has plenty of traditional pubs and restaurants tucked into its narrow streets, making it a great area for a group night out.
If your group is arriving during the day, you could visit Edinburgh Castle, explore the Royal Mile, browse the Christmas markets or take a walk up Calton Hill for some of the best views across the city. There’s also the option of visiting the National Museum of Scotland or just spending the afternoon exploring the Old Town before getting ready for the evening.
Edinburgh works particularly well for a Christmas party weekend because there’s so much to do outside the main celebration. You can arrange a festive meal, book a group activity, visit the markets and then head out for drinks and entertainment in the evening.
The city is also well connected, with Edinburgh Waverley right in the centre, making it easy for groups travelling by train. There are hotels and accommodation across the city, so it’s a good choice if you’re planning a larger Christmas party and want everyone to stay overnight.
Wherever you choose to have your Christmas party, the best destinations are the ones that give you more than just somewhere to eat. Birmingham, Bristol, Brighton, Cardiff and Edinburgh all offer something different, whether you’re after big city nightlife, independent food and drink, Christmas markets, historic attractions or a full festive weekend away.
Glasgow
Glasgow is Scotland’s biggest city and is a fantastic choice for a Christmas party if your group is looking for great food, plenty of bars and a proper night out. It’s known for its music, culture, shopping and famously friendly atmosphere, with a city centre that’s easy to explore and lots of different areas to choose from for your evening.
The city centre is a popular choice for Christmas parties, with restaurants, cocktail bars and nightlife venues around Sauchiehall Street, Buchanan Street and Merchant City. Merchant City is particularly good for group dinners and drinks, with historic buildings, restaurants and bars all close together. Finnieston is another popular area, especially for groups who want to try some of Glasgow’s best restaurants and bars.
Christmas is a great time to visit Glasgow, particularly if your group enjoys shopping. Buchanan Street is one of the city’s main shopping areas and is beautifully decorated during the festive season, while George Square usually becomes a focal point for Christmas events and celebrations. You can also visit the city’s Christmas markets, explore the independent shops or warm up in one of the many pubs and bars around the city centre.
If you’re looking for things to do before your Christmas party, Glasgow has plenty of options. You could visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, explore the West End, take a walk around the University of Glasgow or spend the afternoon shopping in the city centre. The Riverside Museum and the nearby Tall Ship are also worth visiting if your group wants to see a different side of the city.
Glasgow is a good option for larger groups because there are lots of restaurants, hotels and event venues to choose from. You can organise a festive meal, book a private event or arrange a group activity before heading out for drinks. With Glasgow Central and Queen Street stations both in the city centre, it’s also easy for groups travelling from different parts of Scotland and the north of England.
Leeds
Leeds is one of the best places in the north of England for a Christmas party, particularly if your group wants a busy city centre, great shopping and a good choice of restaurants, bars and nightlife. It’s a major Yorkshire city with lots going on during December, making it a popular choice for work Christmas parties and group weekends.
The city centre is easy to get around and has several popular areas for food and drinks. Greek Street is known for its restaurants and bars, while Call Lane is one of the city’s best known nightlife areas. The Leeds Dock area offers restaurants and bars by the waterfront, and the Victoria Quarter and surrounding streets are great for shopping and exploring during the day.
Leeds also has one of the most popular Christmas markets in the region, with the annual Christkindelmarkt bringing festive food, drinks and market stalls to Millennium Square. The city centre is decorated for Christmas, so it’s a good place to visit if you want to combine your Christmas party with shopping and festive sightseeing.
There’s lots to do before the party starts. You could visit the Royal Armouries, explore Leeds Art Gallery, go shopping around Trinity Leeds or head out to Kirkstall Abbey. If your group is staying for the weekend, there are also lots of towns and attractions in West Yorkshire that are easy to reach from the city.
For a Leeds Christmas party, you can choose from restaurants, private dining rooms, bars and venues offering entertainment. The city centre is compact enough that you can arrange dinner and drinks without needing to spend the evening organising transport, which is always useful when you’ve got a group of people to keep together.
Leeds is also easy to reach by train, with Leeds station right in the centre of the city. That makes it a practical choice for groups travelling from across Yorkshire, the north of England and further afield.
Liverpool
Liverpool is one of the UK’s best cities for a Christmas party if your group wants food, music, nightlife and a city with plenty of personality. Famous for its musical history, football clubs, waterfront and nightlife, Liverpool has a lot going on throughout December and is a popular choice for groups looking for a memorable festive night out.
The city centre has several areas that work well for Christmas parties. The Cavern Quarter is famous for its music venues and bars, while Concert Square and Seel Street are popular for restaurants, cocktails and nightlife. The Baltic Triangle is another good option, with independent restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and creative spaces that give the area a slightly different feel.
Liverpool’s waterfront is also worth visiting during the Christmas season. The Royal Albert Dock has restaurants, bars and museums, while the city centre’s shops and streets are decorated for the festive period. Liverpool ONE is one of the main shopping destinations, so your group can easily combine Christmas shopping with lunch, drinks and an evening party.
There’s lots to see and do during the day. You could visit the Royal Albert Dock, explore the Museum of Liverpool, take a Beatles themed tour or head to the World Museum. If your group is visiting over a weekend, you could also take in a football match if the fixtures line up.
For a Liverpool Christmas party, you can choose from restaurants, bars, private venues and entertainment experiences. The city is particularly good for groups who want to keep the evening going after dinner, with lots of nightlife areas within walking distance of one another.
Liverpool is easy to reach by train, with Liverpool Lime Street station located close to the city centre. There are also plenty of hotels, making it a good choice if you’re planning an overnight Christmas party or a full festive weekend with friends or colleagues.
London
London is the obvious choice for groups who want the biggest possible selection of Christmas party venues, restaurants, entertainment and festive things to do. The capital can be more expensive than other UK cities, but it also gives you more choice, whether you’re organising a small group dinner, a large work Christmas party or a full weekend of celebrations.
There are lots of different areas to choose from, depending on what you’re looking for. Soho is packed with restaurants, bars and nightlife, while Covent Garden is particularly impressive at Christmas, with festive decorations, markets and entertainment. Shoreditch and the surrounding East London neighbourhoods are popular for cocktail bars, restaurants and more unusual group experiences, while South Bank offers views of the Thames and easy access to some of the city’s biggest attractions.
London is one of the best places in the UK to visit during December because there’s so much happening. You can visit the Christmas markets, see the lights around Oxford Street and Regent Street, go ice skating, visit Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park or spend an afternoon shopping in the West End.
There are also countless things to do before your Christmas party. You could visit the Tower of London, see a West End show, explore the South Bank, visit one of the city’s museums or just spend the afternoon shopping before meeting up for dinner.
For a London Christmas party, the choice is almost endless. You can book a restaurant, private dining room, rooftop bar, event venue or entertainment experience, depending on the size of your group and the type of celebration you’re planning.
The main thing to remember is that London is a big city, so it’s worth choosing your area carefully. If you’re planning dinner in Soho and drinks in Shoreditch, you could spend more time travelling than celebrating. Pick a central area with plenty of options nearby and the evening will be much easier to organise.
Manchester
Manchester is one of the UK’s best known cities for nightlife, music, sport and entertainment, making it a natural choice for a Christmas party. It’s also easy to reach from across the north of England and has enough restaurants, bars, hotels and attractions to turn a Christmas party into a full weekend away.
The Northern Quarter is one of the most popular areas for food and drinks, with independent restaurants, cocktail bars and live music venues lining the streets. Spinningfields offers a more polished selection of restaurants and bars, while Deansgate and the Gay Village are also popular areas for nightlife and group celebrations.
Manchester goes big on Christmas, with festive markets spread across the city centre and seasonal events taking place throughout December. The markets are a great place to meet for a few drinks or something to eat before the main event, while the city centre’s shops make it easy to combine a Christmas party with a day of shopping.
There’s plenty to do during the day as well. You could visit the Science and Industry Museum, explore the National Football Museum, take a stadium tour or spend the afternoon shopping around the Arndale Centre and Market Street. If your group is staying overnight, there are also lots of attractions and towns around Greater Manchester to explore.
For a Manchester Christmas party, you’ll find everything from restaurants and private dining to entertainment venues and group activities. The city is particularly good for larger groups because there are so many options and lots of different areas to choose from.
Manchester Piccadilly station is right in the city centre, with regular trains from across the UK. There are also lots of hotels within walking distance of the main nightlife areas, so it’s easy to plan a Christmas party where everyone can stay overnight.
Newcastle
Newcastle is one of the best places in the UK for a Christmas party if your group wants a friendly city, great nightlife and a proper weekend away. Set on the River Tyne in the northeast of England, Newcastle is known for its nightlife, music, restaurants and famous bridges, and it has a reputation for being a particularly good place for a night out.
The city centre has several areas that work well for Christmas parties. The Bigg Market is surrounded by bars and restaurants, while the Quayside offers riverside dining, drinks and views of the Tyne Bridge. The area around Grey Street and Monument is also packed with restaurants, bars and places to continue the evening.
Christmas is a great time to visit Newcastle. The city centre is decorated for the festive season, and there are Christmas markets and seasonal events to enjoy. Northumberland Street is one of the main shopping areas, so you can easily combine Christmas shopping with lunch and drinks before the party.
If your group is arriving during the day, there’s lots to see. You could walk along the Quayside, visit Newcastle Castle, explore the historic streets around the city centre or cross the Millennium Bridge. The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art is also just across the river in Gateshead and is easy to reach from the Quayside.
For a Newcastle Christmas party, there are lots of restaurants, bars and entertainment venues to choose from. The city centre is compact, so it’s easy to arrange a meal and then move on to another venue without worrying about complicated transport plans.
Newcastle is also a popular destination for groups travelling from across the northeast and north of England. Newcastle Central Station is close to the city centre, and there are plenty of hotels nearby if you’re planning an overnight stay.
The Best Places for a Christmas Party in the UK
So, whether you’re organising a work Christmas party, getting the gang together for a festive night out or planning a full UK Christmas party weekend with friends, there are some fantastic places across Great Britain to celebrate. All that’s left to decide is where you’re going, who’s coming and, perhaps most importantly, who’ll be in charge of booking it this year.
If you’re planning your festive party, don’t forget to check out our top Christmas party activities and experiences across the UK, Ireland, Europe and beyond!
