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The London Christmas Eve party guide 2017

Christmas in the capital: The best places to party on December 24: Fanatic Creative
Christmas in the capital: The best places to party on December 24: Fanatic Creative

When 19th-century poet Clement Clarke Moore wrote Twas the Night Before Christmas, he’d clearly never been for a big night out on December 24...

“Nothing was stirring, not even a mouse”? Anyone who’s ever had a few festive sherries on Christmas Eve and woken up with a yule log-sized hangover will tell you that for a lot of us, Christmas Eve can get pretty rowdy.

Thankfully, there are loads of great options for festive revellers to enjoy the night before Christmas in the capital this year.

From ice bars to Christmas pods and festive shindigs, these are the best Christmas Eve parties in London.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland: London's Christmas institution
Walking in a Winter Wonderland: London's Christmas institution

Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland has become a staple in Londoners’ diaries in recent years, becoming a real Christmas institution for many people since launching 10 years ago. This December 24, why not take in the festive atmosphere, peruse the Christmas market and enjoy a few steins in the Bavarian beer village while you’re at it.

Greenwich Wintertime festival

Greenwich is home to a new Christmas event this year, with the Wintertime festival opening its doors to London’s punters for the very first time. Head to SE10 this Christmas Eve, and enjoy the festive takeover of the Old Naval College. There’s a craft market, an ice rink and all the usual festive frivolities, but it’s also a good to get in the party mood and enjoy a mulled wine, or three.

Have your elf a merry little Christmas: Will Ferrell's 2003 comedy Elf
Have your elf a merry little Christmas: Will Ferrell's 2003 comedy Elf

Elf screening - Pop up screens at Hackney Downs Studios

Now, not all Christmas Eve parties have involve Christmas drinking, right? This year, film fans can see one of the most celebrated Christmas films of recent times with a pop-up screening of Elf at Hackney Downs Studios. Spend December 24 in the company of Will Ferrell’s Buddy, with a great Christmas atmosphere and mass quote-alongs. This Christmas, why not put your elf first?

Christmas Eve party at Bar Rumba

If you’re after a proper party on Christmas Eve in central London, Bar Rumba on Shaftesbury Avenue is hosting a big night for London’s festive clubbers. The venue, which is open from 10pm to 3am, is one of the best spots for a party in the West End, and December 24 here promises to be a great place to see in Christmas Day.

Cool venue: Icebar in Mayfair
Cool venue: Icebar in Mayfair

Icebar

If you prefer your nights out a little chillier than usual, then Icebar in Mayfair could be the perfect choice. This incredible venue, constructed entirely from arctic ice, lets you sip cocktails at -5°C, and offers a pretty unique experience for revellers in the capital. It’s open until 8pm on December 24, meaning Londoners can enjoy something a little bit different this Christmas Eve without staying out too late.

Christmas Eve at Prince Charles Cinema

The Prince Charles Cinema next to Leicester Square is known for hosting some of the most interesting screenings and events in London, and this Christmas Eve is no different. The venue is putting on the two best Christmas films ever made on December 24 - Die Hard and It’s a Wonderful Life - and it promises to be a celebratory Christmas experience to cherish.

Christmas times by the Thames: London's Southbank
Christmas times by the Thames: London's Southbank

Wintertime on the Southbank

​Southbank is great at any time of year, but it really comes into its own at Christmas.

The Wintertime on the Southbank celebration includes a wide range of events and pop-ups, including Jimmy’s Lodge restaurant and private domes overlooking the Thames. It’s an opportunity to enjoy all of the atmosphere of one of the romantic areas of London, in the comfort of your own intimate space.