Christmas Parties with a Difference

It’s a thin line between enjoyable Christmas traditions and “haven’t we been doing this for about 100 years?” This year, forget the boring office party or being polite to Auntie Marge, and celebrate Christmas in style, with some wild and raucous adventures! We’ve got on our sleigh and scoured the country for some unique festive experiences.

From starry treetops to a glittering cocktail bar, saving the nation from the zombies who stole Christmas to riding the rapids, it’s time to step away from cheese on sticks and limp crackers, for unforgettable experiences everyone will be reliving well into the New Year. All our choices offer great party venues, with the choice of doing it your own way and descending with the gang, or setting responsibility aside for once and taking advantage of pre-planned party packages. While several of our venues are child-friendly, we’ve themed this week around grown-up fun- because Christmas isn’t just about the kids!

Go Ape - Nationwide

Founded in 2002, for over 20 years, Go Ape’s exciting forest adventures have been putting the screams, laughs, thumping hearts and sense of achievement to families, groups and parties. So where better to host a festive party with real altitude? Do it your own way, taking the gang to experience all the thrills on the Go Ape menu, including treetop adventures and challenges, zipwires, slides, treetop nets and thrilling plummet descents. Add in further Go Ape activities including axe throwing, Segways, cycle hire and some of the best forest locations across the country, and it’s already a fantastic festive day out.

Or hand over to the professionals and book a Go Ape party experience, full of unforgettable thrills and excitement. Perfect for kids of all ages, enjoy thrilling canopy exploring, trail blazing, and obstacles. Add extras including party bags and party t-shirts, or come in festive fancy dress! Make it even more special and hire a forest shelter or private party room, you’re guaranteed a “never-to-be-forgotten” celebration with an outdoor twist

Bunker 51, Greenwich, London

Combining paintball, laser tag, airsoft shooting and zombie experience in one huge military bunker-themed arena, Bunker 51’s immersive, non-stop action is the first of its kind in the UK. Already incredibly popular with big and little warriors alike, this unique venue offers a range of festive packages suited to groups of all sizes, including gameplay, food, drink and more, for truly memorable Christmas fun.

Suitable for groups numbering 10 people to 99, choose a two hour game of either airsoft, paintball, low-impact paintball or laser tag. Add in an escape room session or special Christmas zombie experience, to make the festive season go with a scream! You can even go bespoke with specially-tailored themes, or book a combination of different rooms and areas. After the action, enjoy calming down with a festive buffet featuring traditional sliced turkey, beef, gammon or vegetarian option with all the trimmings, rounded off with mince pies and custard!

House of Holes, Derby

You’re guaranteed a party atmosphere at House of Holes, Derby's very own “adult” indoor crazy golf venue strictly for over-18s. Open afternoons till late 7 days a week, and dedicated to creating an informal social and party atmosphere, your group can take it from relaxed to wild, and anywhere in between. Mix and match your round with a host of festive activities and entertainments- or even miss out the golf altogether!

With Christmas party discounts for groups of 15 and over, start with the fun crazy golf holes, including retro bowling alleys, skateboarding, mannequin-staffed aeroplanes, even underwater challenges. Enjoy festive-themed cocktails in the relaxed lounge areas, decked with table tennis, pool and arcade games like Street Fighter. Live DJs create a fantastic atmosphere with top tunes and beats, as you enjoy tasty street food with a twist. Book a Christmas cocktail party and step behind the bar to master some fun, delicious (and definitely adult-named!) party cocktails, before you get down to the serious work of taste-testing.

Highland Fling Bungee, Pitlochry, Perthshire

If you fancy a Christmas get-together with a real breath of fresh air and rush of adrenaline, head to the Garry Bridge at Killiecrankie, near Pitlochry, where you’ll discover heart-pounding adventure in a uniquely stunning natural setting. The first in the UK, the permanent purpose designed and built bridge platform suspended 40 metres above the River Garry is certainly a wee bit different! Launch into bungee jumping, bridge swinging, or an exhilarating 9-line zipwire through the ancient woodland and across the rushing river gorge.

Make your celebrations extra special with professional photograph and video souvenirs. Perfect for parties, Highland Fling offers a wider-ranging menu of activities, including white water rafting, canyoning, tubing, quad biking, and clay pigeon shooting. If you’re gathering people from far and wide, or making a weekend of it, they can even organise accommodation in cosy self-catering cottages as part of the package.