Unique Christmas Party Themes that WOW!

18 October 2023

Whether you’re after a traditional Christmas party theme and venue for your 2023 celebrations, or you’re looking for something a little more, off-piste, our round-up of Christmas party theme ideas has something for everyone.

Hollywood blockbuster

Set within the main venue, but with its own entrance, Movies at Madame Tussauds is an interactive event space like no other. Surrounded by Marvel and Star Wars heroes and villains, your Christmas party guests will enjoy a truly memorable evening of fantasy and adventure. You and your colleagues will begin your evening with a drinks reception in the Marvel hall of fame before wandering into an immersive Star Wars galaxy, far, far away. (Don’t worry, it’s not really very far away at all and there will be drinks and nibbles to sustain them on their journey!) Guests will also have access to the auditorium where they’ll be able experience an exclusive, 4D movie complete with interactive seats, wind, water and show-stopping special effects.

Classic Christmas Party

A work Christmas party can be the biggest party of the year for some of your staff and colleagues, sometimes tradition with a sprinkling of the spectacular is all that is needed!

The Riverside Rooms at County Hall on the Southbank offer a stunning, traditional setting in which to entertain your Christmas party guests. The wood-panelled walls, large windows and views over the Thames are the perfect backdrop for any classic Christmas party theme. Some of the options you could consider include:

Winter Wonderland – white and silver decorations, an ice sculpture and blue lighting.

Candyland – red, green and white décor, candy canes and stripy stockings filled with treats.

Dickensian – roasted chestnuts, carol singing around the piano and a roaring, open fire.

If you think your Christmas party guests would appreciate a traditional approach to your festivities this year, Merlin Venues’ spaces at County Hall are a spectacular choice.

Embrace the darker side of Christmas

If you’re looking for something entirely different for this year’s yuletide celebrations, why not flip the warmth and jollity of a traditional Christmas party on its head and go for a truly alternative event. A murder mystery evening, a ghost tour or a twisted, creepy venue like The London Dungeon will certainly give your guests a memorable night. Hiring The Tavern at The London Dungeon and including the Dungeon tour in your booking is brilliant way to treat your colleagues to thrilling, spooky, immersive Christmas party experience – one they will no doubt remember for years to come.

Make some new friends

If you want a venue with inclusive ice-breakers, SEA LIFE London Aquarium might be the London Christmas event venue for you. Your guests’ journey will begin with Shark Walk, a glass floor suspended over a huge tank where some of nature’s most magnificent creatures can be viewed. Party goers will then make their way through the Ocean Tunnel, where the action moves from below their feet to above their heads. Graceful turtles, shimmering shoals of colourful fish and huge sting rays will lead your colleagues into the main party space, Atlantic Cove. Here you can treat your team to either a sit down, gala dinner, street food stalls, a buffet or bowl food. Whichever you opt for, there’s no doubt your guests will have more than enough topics for conversation as they share their party space with some of the animal kingdom’s most fascinating individuals.

Embrace your inner child

One of the best things about Christmas is the licence it gives you to watch feel good, kids’ films (whether you’re spending the festive season with children or not). If you think you staff could do with a night of true escapism, organise your corporate Christmas party at Shrek’s Adventure! Merlin Venues’ has taken a family favourite movie and created a fully-immersive experience which includes a magical, 4D bus ride and the sights, sounds and even smells of the whimsical kingdom of Far Far Away.

How Many People are Coming?

If you think one of our unique venues might make the perfect setting for your festive celebrations, take a look at the capacities of our spaces and see if one of them would work for your numbers.

The River Rooms – up to 350 party goers or 150 dinner guests

Shrek’s Adventure! – up to 120 guests

Movies at Madame Tussauds – up to 120 party goers or 80 dinner guests

SEA LIFE London Aquarium – up to 500 party goers or 200 dinner guests

The London Dungeon – up to 120 party goers

Get in touch

Give our friendly event team a call on 020 7487 0224 with any questions you may have and to see if we have your ideal date available or drop them an email via events@merlnvenues.com.