The results of the 2026 London Christmas Party Survey, carried out by Show partners, Venue Search London, reveal some interesting shifts in buyer behaviour as we approach this year’s London Christmas Party Show and another busy end-of-year party season.
The Results
The post-pandemic reshaping of the working week continues to influence preferred December party dates, with buyers increasingly concentrating demand around a limited number of premium evenings.
This year’s survey shows that 43% of buyers have already or are most likely to book a Thursday evening for their Christmas party, reinforcing the continued pressure on the best London venues and peak December dates. Thursday evening remains by far the most popular choice, despite a gradual broadening of demand into daytime and earlier event formats.
Sam Gill, CEO of Venue Search London, has been monitoring these changing trends over the last 25 years:
“Ten years ago, Fridays were comfortably the most popular evening and there was still reasonable demand for Saturday celebrations.
The latest survey shows buyers continuing to concentrate demand into a small number of preferred dates, creating strong pressure on premium London Christmas Party venues during December.
Organisations seeking the best venues and widest choice should start their booking process soon. Equally, buyers prepared to consider alternative dates, daytime formats or more flexible event styles may find excellent value opportunities later in the booking season.
Conversely whilst venues should hold out for top prices for these prime dates, they must consider flexible pricing models from an early stage in the sales cycle if they are to maximise December occupancy rates and operating profits.”
Other key findings from the survey include:
- 17% of buyers have already booked their venue, which is slightly behind last year, with September remaining the busiest booking month for Christmas and end of year celebrations.
- A further 32% already have approval and are actively planning or booking, indicating strong early market intent.
- 45% of events are planned to include seated dining, down slightly from 49% in 2025, continuing the longer-term growth of informal buffet, bowl food and street-food style events.
- 66% of events remain traditional evening celebrations, although 22% are now planning hybrid events spanning daytime into evening, suggesting continued blending of business and social objectives.
- Estimated average spends increased from £111 + VAT per guest in 2025 to £115 + VAT in 2026.
- Average estimated event value increased from approximately £17,758 + VAT to £20,147 + VAT per event, suggesting buyers continue to prioritise festive celebrations despite broader cost pressures.
The survey findings will be highlighted during Venue Search London’s popular “Top New Venue Openings for 2026/27” seminar sessions at the upcoming London Christmas Party Show, taking place on 16–17 June 2026 at Protein Studios.
Corporate event buyers and event agents can apply for their complimentary show tickets here.
