Christmas party venues in Kent 2026: prices, shared nights and private parties
Published
Planning the work Christmas party in Kent? You have two choices: join a shared party night, where you book a table and the venue does the rest, or hire a space for your team alone. Published 2026 prices in Kent start at about £45 a head for a shared night with dinner and a DJ, and run to over £100 a head for a private party in a castle.
We checked what Kent venues are publishing for this Christmas, so you can compare like with like. Prices change and dates sell out, so always confirm with the venue before you book.
Shared party night or private party?
| Shared party night | Private party | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Teams of 2 to 50 | Groups of 50 or more |
| How it works | Book a table, mix with other companies | The room or venue is yours for the night |
| Price | Fixed price per person | Per person package, or room hire plus catering |
| Planning | Very little: food, DJ and decorations are sorted | More choice over menu, music and timings |
| Minimum numbers | Usually none | Often 50 to 80 guests |
Published 2026 Christmas party prices in Kent
| Venue | Type | Price per person | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercure Maidstone Great Danes, Hollingbourne | Shared, up to 300 | £45 (27 and 28 Nov), £50 (Fridays and Saturdays in Dec) | Arrival drink, two courses, DJ until 1am, karaoke room |
| Kent Cricket, Spitfire Ground, Canterbury | Shared or private (50 to 250) | From £49.95 | Welcome drink, two-course dinner, DJ and disco |
| Bridgewood Manor, Chatham | Shared, up to 130 | £50 (13 and 17 Dec), £59 (Fridays and Saturdays) | Three-course dinner and resident DJ until midnight |
| Leeds Castle, near Maidstone | Private, 60 to 180 | Fairfax Barn £68 to £73 + VAT | Sparkling wine, three-course dinner, coffee and mince pies |
| The Historic Dockyard Chatham | Private, minimum 80 | From £73 + VAT | Christmas party at The Commissioner's House |
| Leeds Castle, near Maidstone | Private, 50 to 100 | Castle parties £99.50 to £118 + VAT | Two glasses of sparkling wine, three courses, party until midnight |
Shared night prices for Mercure Great Danes and Bridgewood Manor are taken from their 2026 listings on christmasvenues.com. Leeds Castle prices are lower Sunday to Thursday and higher on Fridays and Saturdays. It also runs casino nights and murder mystery evenings in the castle, from £121 to £148 + VAT a head.
Christmas party venues by budget
Under £35 a head
- Saint John's Yard, Tunbridge Wells: the Vintage Room is free to hire for up to 22, with a Christmas menu at £24.95 for two courses or £30.95 for three.
- Gillingham Golf Club: function room for up to 200, £400 on a Friday night or £500 on a Saturday. Its three-course menu is listed at £32.95.
- The Tenterden Club: bar and hall together for £150 an evening (6.30pm to 11.30pm), with two bar staff included for up to 100 guests.
£45 to £60 a head
This is the going rate for a shared party night with dinner and a DJ. Look at Mercure Maidstone Great Danes, Bridgewood Manor and Kent Cricket in Canterbury. The University of Kent has advertised private parties for 80 or more from £48 a head, with a bar open until midnight. It is taking 2026 enquiries now.
£60 to £100 a head
For somewhere with a sense of occasion, try the Fairfax Barn at Leeds Castle or The Commissioner's House at The Historic Dockyard Chatham.
Whole venue hire
- Faith in Strangers, Margate: full venue for up to 300, from £2,000 plus a minimum spend on food and drink.
Christmas party venues by group size
| Group size | Where to look |
|---|---|
| Up to 25 | A table at a shared night, or Saint John's Yard |
| 25 to 80 | Shared nights, or Maiden's Tower at Leeds Castle (50 to 80) |
| 80 to 200 | University of Kent, The Historic Dockyard, Fairfax Barn at Leeds Castle, Gillingham Golf Club, The Tenterden Club |
| 200 or more | Faith in Strangers (up to 300 standing), Kent Cricket at the Spitfire Ground (private parties up to 250) |
Christmas party venues by area
| Area | Venues |
|---|---|
| Maidstone and mid Kent | Leeds Castle, Mercure Great Danes, Village Hotel Maidstone |
| Medway | Bridgewood Manor, The Historic Dockyard, MEMS Priestfield Stadium, Gillingham Golf Club |
| Canterbury and the coast | University of Kent, Kent Cricket, Faith in Strangers, Hythe Imperial Hotel |
| West Kent | Hever Castle, Donnington Manor Hotel, Saint John's Yard |
| Ashford and the Weald | Ashford International Hotel, The Tenterden Club |
See every venue that hosts Christmas parties on our Christmas party venues in Kent page.
Seven questions to ask before you book
- Is VAT included? Leeds Castle, the Historic Dockyard and some others quote before VAT, so check.
- Is it shared or private? Check whether you will share the room with other companies.
- What time does it finish? Most parties end between midnight and 1am.
- What drinks are included? An arrival drink, half a bottle of wine, or nothing at all?
- Is there a minimum number? Private parties often need 50 to 80 guests.
- What deposit is needed, and when are final numbers due?
- How will people get home? Ask about parking, taxis and discounted rooms if the venue is a hotel.
Still booking in November?
You are not too late, but act quickly. Fridays and Saturdays in December go first. Midweek and Sunday nights are often cheaper and easier to get, and Bridgewood Manor prices its Sunday 13 and Thursday 17 December nights £9 a head lower than its weekend dates. Some venues, including Bridgewood Manor, also take private parties into January.
Planning other events for next year? Our guide to venue hire prices in Kent covers meeting rooms, halls and conference venues.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a work Christmas party cost in Kent?
Published 2026 shared party nights in Kent cost about £45 to £60 a head, usually with dinner and a DJ. Private parties at historic venues such as Leeds Castle and the Historic Dockyard cost about £68 to £118 a head plus VAT.
What is a shared Christmas party night?
Several companies book tables at the same event. The venue provides the food, decorations and music, so it suits small teams who want a big party without hiring a room.
When should I book a Christmas party in Kent?
Ideally by the end of the summer for Friday and Saturday dates in December. Later bookings are still possible, especially midweek or in January.
Where can I hold a Christmas party for a small team in Kent?
Book a table at a shared party night, or use a small private room such as the Vintage Room at Saint John's Yard in Tunbridge Wells, which seats 22.
Which Kent castles host Christmas parties?
Leeds Castle publishes private Christmas party packages for groups of 50 to 180. Hever Castle also lists Christmas parties, with prices on request.
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