Choosing The Right Venue For Your Holiday Party
Planning
Choosing The Right Venue For Your Holiday Party
BoomPop Team · 7/23/2025Planning your end-of-year event starts now, and picking the right venue is your first step to an amazing event.
The end of the year may feel far off, but it’s already time to plan your end‑of‑year celebration! The best holiday party venues book up fast, and an early start gives you more options, less stress, and often, better pricing.
December is one of the busiest social seasons of the year, so competition for venues starts early. It's time to start working on the logistics of finding a venue, locking in a date, and getting on your guests' calendars. Waiting until later in the year can be risky—vendor availability drops, decor shipping gets tricky, and attendance often takes a hit due to scheduling conflicts.
Whether your holiday party budget is big or scrappy, getting organized early opens up more creative options. Want to design a theme with custom decor? You’ll need time to source it. Want a standout space or immersive entertainment? You’ll need time to secure it. Start working on your end-of-year or holiday party planning now. If you’re too booked up, holiday parties are a great event to work with a partner like BoomPop on planning. Not sure if a holiday party is in scope or budget yet? Get those conversations started now rather than waiting - you’ll be glad you did!!
Holiday Party Planning: The Right Venue is Key
Your venue is where it all happens, so naturally, it sets the tone for the entire event. It shapes the atmosphere, activities, food and drink options, and ultimately defines the guest experience. You don’t want to work against your venue to bring your theme to life. Instead, choose a space that enhances your vision, whether that’s cozy, upscale, or totally unexpected. When your venue aligns with your goals, group size, and desired event experience, it becomes the foundation for everything else to shine.
From festive hotel ballrooms to private dining rooms and one-of-a-kind themed venues, we’re breaking down the most popular holiday party venues—and how to make each one shine for your team.
Picking the Right Holiday Party Venue: What to Think Through Now
Start with your goals: What’s the purpose of your celebration? Are you aiming for connection and team bonding, a festive reward for a great year, or a big, high-energy party? Your answer should shape your venue choice.
Pick a theme early: A defined theme adds personality and focus to your planning—and can help narrow your search. For example, a cozy winter lodge vibe pairs well with a rustic indoor venue, while a modern cocktail party calls for a sleek, stylish space.
Factor in the logistics: Once your goals and theme are in place, think through practical considerations like budget, travel, and weather. Winter events come with seasonal complications (hello, snow delays), so backup plans are key.
Top Holiday Party Venues to Consider
No matter your team size or vision, the right setting can take your celebration to the next level. Here’s a breakdown of the five most popular types of holiday party venues—each with their own vibe, perks, and creative possibilities.
1. Restaurant or Private Dining Venues
For a cozier, more turnkey experience, restaurant venues and private dining rooms offer built-in ambiance with minimal lift. Whether you’re planning a multi-course meal or a relaxed cocktail-style event, this setup keeps things simple and celebratory. One of the biggest factors on whether or not this venue type will work for you is event size. Restaurants are a great option for groups anywhere up to 100 people, though this depends on the size of the venue.
You may want to reserve a private room for dining, extra space for mingling or activities, and select a service style—buffet, plated dinner, or passed appetizers. These small choices shape the overall feel of your holiday party experience.
Turn Dinner Into a Full Experience:
Host team awards or book surprise entertainment, like a magician or acoustic set, to add energy and excitement.
Add a thoughtful touch with a gift exchange—Secret Santa, white elephant, or even personalized gifts tailored to your team’s interests.
Go beyond the usual menu with festive food stations or signature cocktails that tie into your party’s theme.
Pro tip: A prix fixe menu makes planning (and budgeting) smoother.
Where to Book It:
Rustic or southern-style restaurants often have live music and dancing—perfect for bringing energy and flair.
Classic steakhouses or fine dining spots can bring timeless holiday glamor.
Breweries, distilleries, or themed restaurants with semi-private event space can offer built-in charm and great menus.
2. Hotel Ballrooms & Event Spaces
If you’re planning something more formal—or inviting a larger group of 100+ guests—hotels offer a polished, all-in-one solution. Many properties already go all out with holiday decor, and they’re built to support everything from audio/visual needs to multi-course dinners. So talk to these venues about how they typically decorate these spaces and what’s included in the rental. You’ll get a clear picture up front so you can budget accordingly.
Add festive flair to your hotel celebration:
Create themed cocktails or a custom dessert bar to match your event vibe. Think peppermint espresso martinis, holiday punch served in ornaments, or a dessert station.
Bring in interactive entertainment—festive photo booths, performers, or a holiday sing-along can make the night more memorable.
Pro tip: Many hotels offer holiday party packages and discounted room blocks—a great option for teams bringing together people from multiple locations—but these fill up early!
Hotel Venues That Go All Out:
Luxury hotels across the U.S. typically feature beautifully decorated ballrooms and full-service options.
The Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, The Plaza in New York, The Peninsula in Chicago, and The Fairmont in San Francisco are all renowned for their over-the-top holiday decor. Booking a ballroom at a property like these can give your event an instant festive feel—and reduce how much decor you need to bring in yourself.
3. Unique Event Spaces for Holiday Parties
Looking for something different? Unique venues like converted barns, historic theaters, or immersive experiences offer built-in character and can instantly bring your theme to life. These spaces are ideal when you want something unexpected or a unique experience.
Lean Into What Makes It Special:
Plan interactive, on-theme experiences like trivia, karaoke, or a craft station that ties back to your decor.
Tailor food, beverage, and gift selections too, and look into leveraging local vendors or artisans – these types of venues often have curated networks or recommendations, so tap into these special elements when you can.
Pro tip: These spaces are popular and often limited—reserve them early to secure your spot.
Unexpected Venues Worth Exploring:
Enchant offers immersive light show experiences in cities like Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and many cities have “winter wonderland”-style events worth exploring.
Boats or river cruises offer a cozy holiday-on-the-water experience.
Entertainment venues like comedy clubs, karaoke bars, and music halls bring built-in fun and a lively atmosphere. You’ll want to make sure these are available for a venue buy-out or have ample private dining areas to accommodate your group.
4. Company Office Spaces
Company meeting rooms and spaces are an option for many teams of any size, especially those with onsite or hybrid work arrangements in office spaces that offer ample space for events. In-office parties work well for smaller teams or when you want to minimize logistics.
The key to making this venue work for a holiday party is allocating enough budget to transform the space and create a festive environment. Think of the transformation like turning a basic school gym into a themed prom night. Decor, lighting, and entertainment can go a long way, so factor these costs in when comparing this option to other venues. Since you’re already in the space—or can book meeting rooms or co-working spaces if needed—it gives you a flexible and familiar starting point. Just keep in mind that if your office setup isn't event-ready, there may be added coordination or rental costs involved.
Make Your Office Party Unforgettable:
Bring in food trucks, cider stations, or live music. If your office has an outdoor space or parking lot, consider transforming it into a festive food court or adding a jazz trio can make your office feel like a brand-new space.
Create photo-worthy moments with gifting stations or a costume and prop trunk for a themed photo booth.
Lean into your theme with decor and DIY activities—think cookie-decorating tables, custom ornament painting, or a hot cocoa bar with toppings and branded mugs.
Pro tip: Don’t underestimate the cost of transforming your office. Plan to spend at least $10-$20K on lighting, sound, and themed decor for a high-impact holiday feel.
5. The “Unvenue” Option for Hybrid Holiday Events
Have a distributed team? Hybrid holiday parties combine a smaller in-person gathering with remote-friendly components so everyone can celebrate. With the right tools (and a little planning), you can make sure everyone feels included.
Make It Magical for Every Guest:
Ship party boxes with snacks, swag, or DIY kits like cookie decorating or cocktail mixers. Unboxing the same item over a live call can create a shared moment, even across time zones.
Consider a virtual escape room or trivia night that both in-person and online groups can tackle together.
Pro tip: Choose a livestream-friendly venue that supports the AV you’ll need—like a hotel or company office space—and designate a virtual host to keep online attendees engaged.
Hybrid-Friendly Options:
Bring the entertainment online with a Laugh.Events virtual comedy show.
Send your team DIY kits for cocktail making, cookies, or crafts. These can be used in person or remote, so everyone shares the experience.
Planning in July = Way Less Stress in December
Treat your holiday party like any other major event: giving your team 3–6 months of lead time can completely transform the experience. When you plan early, you unlock better venues, more creative ideas, and lower stress. You’ll also give your guests time to RSVP before their busy end-of-year calendars fill up!
You’ll enjoy better venue availability, expanded creativity, fewer last-minute surprises, and a celebration your team will actually remember.
Need help narrowing down your options? A BoomPop planner can help you pull it all together. Let’s make this the most stress-free, joy-filled holiday event you’ve ever hosted.
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