Where to Book Your Christmas Party in Manchester

December is a busy time to visit Manchester. As the city and locals prepare to welcome Christmas, the city is beautified with stalls in Albert Square and festive decorations and lights in the Northern Quarter. With a festive atmosphere, you’ll be able to enjoy a glass of mulled wine and scrumptious street food. Your company will enjoy a Christmas event at one of the many venues in Manchester, regardless of your party size. They have a suitable offering, from a small work party to a large company celebration.

Christmas Party Venues in Manchester by Area

Although party venues in Manchester can be grouped into a number of different areas, the type of party you’re having will dictate the best fit.

The most corporate area in Manchester is Spinningfields, and it boasts lots of popular venues like The Ivy and Hotel Gotham. They are bright and modern venues and have Christmas party packages available in November and December. Booking your clients or company into one of these venues is a great choice if you want to have a more corporate event, as these venues are geared towards impressing clients and providing a more professional experience.

If you’re looking for a fun and casual atmosphere to fit a smaller group, The Northern Quarter would be the best choice. The area has more character and charm, with quirky cocktail and food venues. The restaurants offer food selections beyond boring corporate options like prawn cocktail and chocolate log, and instead have more exciting and fun options.

Recently in Ancoats, perhaps Manchester’s most dynamic area for eating and events, waterside dining with a less formal setting than a hotel ballroom is available at Dukes 92, just across the canal.

For larger events, consider the Victoria Warehouse in Trafford Park. They’ve done everything from concerts to gala dinners, and their holiday packages tend to include entertainment as part of the bundle instead of as an add-on.

Things to Consider When Making a Reservation

It’s no exaggeration that Manchester is one of the UK’s busiest cities, with the best venues booking holiday parties in December as early as the summer. If you want a specific date, especially a Friday in early to mid December, it’s important to secure your booking earlier than most people anticipate.

Regarding your guest list, don’t make assumptions. A venue that appears to be a perfect fit online can end up feeling either too large or too small. Be sure to consider a potential dance floor and a DJ setup, as well as a designated area for coats. When it comes to capacity, always make sure to ask about your specific setup rather than the venue’s standard headcount.

Going and Coming

Manchester excels at planning public transport. The city center connects to its Piccadilly and Victoria transport hubs, and allows visitors from anywhere in the North West to travel sans accommodation. The Metrolink covers a significant part of the city and reduces the demand on taxis in the evening.

This said, travel from the city on Saturdays in December is particularly busy, and pre-booking return tickets is generally a good idea for travel groups.

Maximising Your Visit

Parties in December are great, but they aren’t the only reason to visit Manchester in December. For guests coming in from out of town, give yourself an hour of roaming the Christmas Markets and the Corn Exchange before the evening festivities commence. People’s moods will be elevated, and it will help create a positive atmosphere, as they were not rushed straight to the venue.

Christmas parties are at their best when they involve the whole city and not just make it a backdrop.