It might not be winter yet but it’s always good to be organised ahead of the Christmas party season before things get hectic, and if you’re looking to plan something to celebrate the festive season with your work mates, then we’ve got you. From immersive experiences to competitive games, team-building activities to a cosy night of food and drink, let’s leave the sales targets behind. After all, there’s only one thing everyone in the office is looking forward to in December, and it sure isn’t the end-of-year meeting or stock take. So, here are some fun and festive ideas for your Christmas party in Manchester.
1. Sing your hearts out in one of Bar Hütte‘s cosy cabins
Bar Hütte’s twinkling alpine huts are expected to return for 2024 and located at both Great Northern Square and Kampus, offering Mancs two wonderful winter wonderlands to enjoy. Bringing ski village vibes to Manchester, guests are able to book out their very own private ‘hütte’ with karaoke, perfect for those looking for fun, interactive ideas on how to get your work mates together for a Christmas party. Escape the chill and belt out your favourite tunes (Christmas or any genre – there’s an extensive list) and also sip on some fantastic festive-themed drinks including hot gin, mulled wine and Irish hot chocolates too (which should soften the singing).
2. Flex your creativity with the lights down low at this unique painting event
Head to the AATMA in Manchester if you’re after one of the most unique Christmas party ideas this winter: a fun-fuelled art masterclass in the dark. Intrigued? Paint In The Dark invites friends, colleagues, and office frienemies to flex their art skills, creating unique works with glow-in-the-dark paint. You’ll be guided by a talented art facilitator, and there’ll be beer, wine, and soft drinks on hand to really get the creative juices flowing. And for those a little unsure, don’t worry: the room isn’t pitch black, it is low-lit with fluorescent colours.
3. Hit the pedal to the metal at Chaos Karts
Chaos Karts in Manchester combines real-life racing with augmented reality, and it is a pretty thrilling activity that’ll have you and your workmates jingling all the way. The UK’s first live action video game experience throws players into a virtual world, living inside a real-life video game to race-battle your friends and colleagues. Each race at Chaos Karts varies in design, complete with pumping music and ground-breaking in-game usable in-kart power-ups with weapons that will allow players to ‘battle’ right up to the finishing line. Loser, buys the first round.
4. Team up to take on winter-themed virtual reality challenges at DNA VR
With Christmas party season coming thick and fast, people looking for a party ideas that are more brilliant than bah-humbug can head to DNA VR in Manchester where you can fully immerse yourselves in the festive cheer. Help a stranded Santa get home in time to deliver presents for Christmas Day in the Christmas Story, take to the slopes in Skiing VR or duke it out in snowball duels in Winter Break. And for all the scary Scrooges out there who have a spooky season hangover, you can fight off zombies in a winter wonderland in After the Fall. DNA VR can host up to 16 virtual sessions (19 people) at one time to provide a cool immersive experience for you and your team.
5. Get into the ultimate festive mood at this Christmas-themed bar
Expected to open for the fourth time in Manchester after years of success in Liverpool, a Christmas-themed bar is bringing sacks of Christmas spirit to the city this year, with OTT festive décor at every turn. Miracle on Cross Street has decked the halls to new heights and it’s enough to make the biggest Grinch in the office become merry (possibly even without the mulled wine). If you and your work mates are searching for ideas on where to have a festive drink in Manchester city centre and just generally be hyped for Christmas then this is the spot for a party. Serving drinks like mulled wine, Jingle Juice and Candy Cane cocktails as well as mince pies and plenty of festive cheer, all you need to bring is the team.
6. Bowl your colleagues over with a trip to King Pins
King Pins offers a plethora of activities including 15 lanes of Ten Pin bowling and four lanes of Duck Pin bowling (a shorter-laned, faster game of bowling), shuffleboard, ice free curling, air hockey and arcade games galore. Grab your work mates for a game of classic bowling, unleash your work rage in the batting cages or come together for a sing-a-long in one of King Pins’ karaoke booths, as the fun never stops at King Pins. Better still, you can order from brilliant bao buns from Little Bao Boy and perfect pizzas from PLY to fuel your fun, festive day or night out as a team.
7. Enjoy a merry olde English knees up at The Black Friar’s Winter Tavern
The garden at The Black Friar is expected to become the home of the Winter Tavern once more – a must-visit destination for the you and your colleagues this festive season. The Salford public house and restaurant has transformed their garden bar into a wondrous medieval Winter Tavern where guests can escape the chill with fires, frolics and feasting. The fully covered outdoor Winter Tavern aims to give guests a merry olde English knees up in unforgettable style, offering the perfect setting to celebrate Christmas for all party sizes, with glittering candles, roaring fires, rugs and furs adorning the magical space.
8. Tuck into a festive and indulgent menu at The Ivy Spinningfields
Rather a sit down meal affair with plenty of festive and luxurious food and drink? Let The Ivy Spinningfields treat you to their delicious festive menus – enjoy two courses for £50 or three for £55, and delight in their show-stopping Goose and Turkey Shepherd’s Pie and the irresistible Christmas desserts, amongst other festive dishes. Thrown in some Christmas crackers, festive cocktails and some great company, and you have a lavish meal to remember.
9. Unleash your inner Viking with some axe throwing at Whistle Punks
Release all that pent-up work rage with a spot of axe throwing and in true festive-style, Whistle Punks have decorated their axes like candy canes. Offering the ultimate stress-relief after what may have been a tough year for you and the team, you can take aim and learn to throw axes at the bull’s eye whilst competing against your pals. Of course, once your session ends, you can celebrate any hits with a drink or three at the licensed bar. In the case of any bullseyes, a cocktail is definitely in store. Whistle Punks offers a range of packages in order for you to create the work Christmas party you desire.
10. Dance the night away in this festive disco ski yurt
Dance the night (or day) away in true après ski style with the launch of this new disco destination and ultimate winter wonderland in Manchester, one of the most perfect ideas (and spots) for all your Christmas party celebrations. The Lawn Club’s heated Disco Ski Yurt serves all the ski vibes with cosy sheepskin blankets, non-stop partying from 12pm – late, DJs, alpine beats, a 10ft Christmas tree and chic disco glamour. Decked top-to-toe with sparkling disco balls and twinkling lights, you and your work pals can feel like the snow is falling (all around them), whilst enjoying all the festive eats and winter warming tipples curated with Ciroc.