With the festive season just a few months away, here are our top party ideas to help you plan a celebration without the stress!
We’ve included entertainment options, venue suggestions and recommended production professionals.
There’s something for every budget and we’re only a DM, email or call away if you need more venue suggestions or guidance!
ENTERTAINMENT: If you really want the wow factor at your Christmas party, a showband is the way to go. Our Capital Sounds Showband fizzes with energy and creates a huge sound, perfect for dancing to. Performing a fantastic mix of Motown, soul, disco and pop, optional extras include vibrant show dancers and an extended Auto‑DJ service.
VENUE: You’ll need an epic venue to match your epic entertainment. We love Skygarden (pictured) for it’s stunning views and Tanner Warehouse for its cool and contemporary feel. Alternatively, consider Tobacco Dock ‑ a historic venue with endless options depending on your party size, or if quirky is more your thing, former carpark Peckham Levels could be just the ticket!
PRODUCTION: Your epic event will need epic production, and Extreme Production Group are the people who can deliver.
ENTERTAINMENT: If you’re looking to host a black tie event, Down for the Count All‑Stars are the ideal choice. This mini big band performs a classy repertoire of swing and jive music, perfect for dancing to whilst adding a touch of old‑school sophistication to your event.
VENUE: There are some wonderful venues for gala dinners and formal events in London. Our favourites include…
PRODUCTION: a production company such as PR Live will work sympathetically with these stunning historical venues to really bring out their natural beauty whilst adding drama and decadence to your event.
ENTERTAINMENT: With a varied repertoire of crowd‑pleasing swing, soul, Motown and Christmas favourites, The Get Downs are the perfect choice when throwing a party for a group with a varied age range. Every song is a classic that has stood the test of time and the swing numbers really add a touch of class to the celebration.
VENUE: You can’t beat London’s most prestigious hotels if you’re looking to host a festive Christmas party to remember. The Savoy, Claridge’s (pictured) or The Langham are all beautifully decorated during the festive season and with years of experience, you know you’re in good hands.
ENTERTAINMENT: Transport your guests back to the roaring twenties or prohibition era with a twist! Our Lady Gatsby Jazz Band performs sensational vintage style covers of popular modern songs, alongside uptempo vintage classics, such as Sing Sing Sing. We can also provide immaculately styled authentic vintage dancers to perform routines, interact with guests and lead a simple and fun Charleston dance lesson!
VENUE: The Banking Hall is a stunning Art Deco venue in the heart of London. Alternatively, the exquisite architecture of RIBA would be ideal for an event such as this. For a more intimate gathering with a speakeasy feel, Ricco (pictured) is a great option, or for a party on a grand scale, the former cinema Troxy in East London is perfect!
PRODUCTION: Bespoke Events have the skills and knowledge to ensure your event is truly immersive, with attention to detail like no other!
ENTERTAINMENT: Whilst dancing isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, music can still play a big part at your celebration, adding fun and frivolity to your Christmas celebration. Let’s be honest, everyone loves music, and it’s a great way to set the atmosphere for your party. Get Brassy and The Vintage Strollers have an uplifting and quirky vibe, ideal if you want to liven up a party without guests feeling pressure to dance. As the bands are acoustic, they can roam freely, ideal if your party is taking place across different rooms or floors, ensuring all your guests get to enjoy the entertainment.
VENUE: Here’s a few playful venues you can hire that are a perfect match for our quirky roaming bands… brilliant bowling at All Star Lanes, ping pong party at Bounce, glorious golf at Swingers or a festive feast at one of Street Feast London’s famous street food sites!
ENTERTAINMENT: Big Band swing music has become synonymous with Christmas thanks to stars such as Frank Sinatra, Nat ’King’ Cole, and Michael Bublé. Down for the Count are one of the best swing bands in the UK, and can be booked to perform their Swing Into Christmas show in either their Big Band, All‑Stars or Orchestra line‑up. It’s the ultimate festive treat and will leave your guests feeling all warm and fuzzy inside!
Optional extras include vintage dancers and a set of party music to get everyone on the dancefloor after the show!
VENUE: What could be more iconic than Hintze Hall at the Natural History Museum ‑ it’s the perfect venue for entertainment of this calibre. Or, for phenomenal acoustics in a grade II listed building, consider LSO St. Lukes ‑ the home of the London Symphony Orchestra.
PRODUCTION: Wise Productions are the go‑to production company if you’re looking to put on an event of this grandeur.
ENTERTAINMENT: The Jazz Hours provide sophisticated, ambient music, ideal for drinks receptions and meals. Their chilled‑out renditions of jazz standards set the perfect elegant atmosphere whilst still allowing guests to talk and focus on the dining experience.
VENUE: For a touch of iconic glamour Quaglino’s is an ideal choice of venue for a spectacular dinning experience. Alternatively, Skylon Restaurant offers diners spectacular views of the London skyline coupled with sensational food.
These are just a few ideas to get you started, but we have many more line‑ups available and pride ourselves on offering clients a bespoke service, tailoring our packages to suit your needs. So if you don’t see exactly what you want, please get in touch to discuss what else we can do!
We can also provide music packages for your whole event, for example ambient music during your drinks reception or meal, followed by one of our party bands to get your guests up and dancing later!
All the line‑ups mentioned above can perform in a variety of sizes, so depending on your needs, budget and taste, we can work with you to ensure your Christmas party is one to remember!
Mike Paul-Smith Music: a collective of professional musicians available to hire in a range of exclusive band line-ups.
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Mike Paul-Smith Music is a trading name of Down for the Count Ltd, a registered company in England and Wales (10694876). VAT registration number 266786449.