Last updated: 7 October 2026 · By The Gourmaze Team
The best work Christmas party ideas give people something to do together, not just a bar tab. For London teams, try a food treasure hunt, a cooking class, a quiz, a games bar, a long festive lunch or a volunteering morning. Pick one that suits your headcount, budget and how many colleagues drink.
Key takeaways
- Choose an activity first and the venue second. A shared task gets quieter colleagues talking in a way a crowded bar rarely does.
- Book early. In 2026, Christmas Day falls on a Friday, so the last full working week ends on Friday 18 December.
- HMRC lets employers spend up to £150 a head, including VAT, on an annual party open to all staff without it becoming a taxable benefit.
- Make it drink-optional, plan around dietary needs and finish at a time that works for commuters and carers.
- December daylight is short, so start anything outdoors by lunchtime and keep the evening for food and drinks.
12 office Christmas party ideas in London
Here are 12 ideas, grouped by the kind of party you want. None of them suits every team, so read the "best for" notes before you book.
Ideas that get people talking
- A food treasure hunt. Teams solve riddles on their phones as they walk between food stops. It mixes puzzles, a stroll and a meal. Best for teams who want something social that isn't built around drinking.
- A cooking or baking class. Everyone makes something, then eats it. Best for small and mid-size groups who like hands-on sessions and don't mind an apron.
- A quiz in a private room. Book a room with a host, or run your own with a round on office trivia. Best for mixed-age teams and tighter budgets.
- A games bar. Think shuffleboard, darts, crazy golf or table tennis. Best for competitive teams who get restless at a long table.
Classic food and drink, done better
- A private dining room. The traditional choice, and still a good one for speeches and awards. Ask for a set menu so nobody's splitting a bill at midnight.
- A long Christmas lunch. Start at 12.30 and let it run into the afternoon. Best for parents, long-distance commuters and anyone who dreads a late night.
- A festive afternoon tea. Scones, sandwiches and a glass of fizz or a pot of tea. Best for smaller teams and a calmer mood.
Seasonal London ideas
- Ice skating. London usually has a handful of seasonal outdoor rinks each winter. Pair a session with hot chocolate or dinner nearby. Best for energetic teams with a few confident skaters.
- A walk through the West End lights. The lights on Regent Street and Oxford Street cost nothing to see. They're at their best after dark, so save the walk for the evening, on the way to dinner.
- A Christmas market wander. Give everyone a small budget for mulled drinks and snacks. Best as a relaxed add-on rather than the whole party.
Low-key and inclusive ideas
- A volunteering morning followed by lunch. Help at a local charity, then eat together. Best for teams who want the season to mean a bit more.
- An online party for hybrid teams. Send snack boxes, run a quiz and keep it short. HMRC's party exemption can apply to virtual events too (GOV.UK, 2026), so remote staff needn't miss out.
How to choose the right Christmas party for your team
Start with three questions: how many people are coming, how many of them drink, and how much time you have. The table below compares the main formats on the things that usually decide it.
| Idea | Group size | Drink-optional | Weather | Time needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food treasure hunt | Teams of 6 | Yes | Outdoor walking between food stops | 2 to 3 hours |
| Cooking or baking class | Small to mid-size | Yes | Indoors | Half an afternoon or evening |
| Quiz in a private room | Any | Yes | Indoors | An evening |
| Games bar | Small to large | Usually | Indoors | An evening |
| Private dining room | Any | Yes, if you plan it | Indoors | An evening |
| Ice skating | Any | Yes | Outdoors | A short session, plus food |
| Volunteering and lunch | Varies by charity | Yes | Mixed | Half a day |
If most of your team are new to each other, pick something with a shared task. If they already know each other well, a long lunch or dinner may be all they want. For year-round options, see our guide to team building activities in London.
When to book a work Christmas party in London
Book in October if you can. Thursday and Friday evenings in December tend to go first. Lunchtimes and earlier weeks are usually easier to secure.
Check the calendar before you pick a date. GOV.UK lists Christmas Day 2026 as Friday 25 December, with the Boxing Day bank holiday moved to Monday 28 December (GOV.UK bank holidays, 2026). The week of 21 December is short, so the week before is often the safer bet.
Light matters too. Royal Museums Greenwich puts the shortest day in London at 7 hours 49 minutes of daylight (Royal Museums Greenwich, 2026). Start anything outdoors around lunchtime and keep the evening for food.
Finally, plan the trip home. Share the finish time early and check late services on the TfL journey planner.
How much to spend: the £150 HMRC rule
HMRC's annual function exemption makes a handy budget ceiling. The party must be annual, open to all employees and cost £150 or less per person (GOV.UK, 2026).
HMRC's manual says the cost includes VAT, plus any transport or overnight stay you provide. You work out the figure by dividing the total cost by everyone who attends, including guests (HMRC Employment Income Manual EIM21690, checked September 2026). The £150 covers all your annual events in the tax year combined, so a summer party counts too.
In practice, you can often combine an activity with a meal or drinks and still stay under the line. It's an exemption, not an allowance, so going over can make the whole cost taxable. We're not tax advisers, so check the details with your accountant or finance team.
How to make your office Christmas party inclusive
A good party works for the whole team, not just the loudest table. A few simple choices make a big difference.
- Make drinks optional. Pick an activity that's fun sober, and order good alcohol-free options.
- Collect dietary needs early. Ask on the sign-up form, not the week before.
- Ask about access. Check step-free routes, walking distances and seating with the venue or provider before you book.
- Think about timing. A lunchtime or afternoon party suits parents, carers and people with long commutes.
- Don't make fun compulsory. Give people an easy way to join for part of it.
Why a food treasure hunt works as a Christmas party
A food treasure hunt turns the party into a friendly competition, with lunch built in. On a Gourmaze maze, each team joins through a WhatsApp link, types START and a character bot sends riddles, clues and directions. There's no app to download and no guide. See how a Gourmaze maze works.
Food is pre-paid and included at themed stops, so nobody's ordering or splitting bills. The clock pauses while you eat, which keeps things relaxed. Corporate mazes take two to three hours. A late-morning or lunchtime start keeps most of the walking in daylight and leaves the evening free.
For work groups, Gourmaze splits your headcount into teams of six. Corporate bookings start from £29 per person including VAT, with food and the full logistics included. Mixing departments across teams is an easy way to get people talking who don't usually sit together.
Be ready for the weather. Mazes are outdoor walking trails with food stops along the way, so tell everyone to wear comfortable shoes and a warm coat. Each team needs at least one charged phone with data.
Each stop is FSA-certified. Please tell us any dietary needs when you book and state them at each stop. Cross-contamination can't be guaranteed, so if you have a severe allergy, Gourmaze may not be suitable.
Gourmaze is rated 4.9 on TripAdvisor. If it sounds like your team, plan a Christmas maze for your team by sending us an enquiry.
Frequently asked questions
When should we book a work Christmas party in London?
Aim to book in October. Thursday and Friday evenings in December tend to fill up first. Lunchtimes and dates earlier in the season are usually easier to secure.
How much should a work Christmas party cost per head?
It depends on the format, but £150 per person is a useful ceiling. That's HMRC's limit, including VAT, for an annual party open to all staff to stay tax-free for employees.
What are good Christmas party ideas for people who don't drink?
Choose an activity that's fun without alcohol. A food treasure hunt, cooking class, quiz, ice skating, afternoon tea or volunteering morning all work well. Make sure there are good alcohol-free drinks too.
What Christmas party ideas suit a small team?
Small teams have the most choice. Try a long lunch, afternoon tea, a cooking class or a food treasure hunt, where a team of up to six plays together.
How do we include remote colleagues?
Hold the party on a day when most people are in, and cover travel if you can. For fully remote staff, run a short online party. HMRC's exemption can apply to virtual events too.
Ready to plan your team's Christmas party?
Start with the activity, lock in a date in October and keep the budget within the £150 rule. If you'd like riddles, a walk and lunch rolled into one, enquire about a corporate maze.