VENUE HIRE
FIRST IMPRESSION Matthew Knight of Novi (above and top right) says to start by asking what most attendees want from the party; Emily Harvey at Broadway Cellars (right) suggests having drinks ready on arrival
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, be sure to communicate with the team at your chosen venue – and never be afraid to ask for assistance or advice. A little inspiration Cambridge’s venues have no doubt seen all manner of events take place under their roofs, from formal dinners to wild parties and everything in between. So, what’s the best idea our experts have ever seen a festive party organiser come up with? Starting strong, Charlie recalls a particularly memorable corporate Christmas fancy-dress party. “The theme was the circus, so the guests arrived as clowns and jugglers, circus masters and acrobats – some were even dressed as tigers and elephants. During the evening, they had arranged real circus performers to move among the guests and perform their acts, so there was juggling, acrobatics and magic throughout the night. It was so magical.” Costumes have been a feature of some of the best parties at Novi, too. “Over the years we’ve seen so many different ideas: celebrity doubles, an Elvis impersonator, drag queens, magicians, karaoke, photo booths. But one of my personal favourites was a Del Boy (from Only Fools and Horses ) lookalike; he really engaged with the group, was very funny and everyone loved it,” smiles Matthew. Emily also mentions photo booths as a favourite element, “especially when you have a guest book alongside them, so people can leave a little message, and
Those personal touches can turn a standard Christmas party into something people remember
An idea of what’s available For smaller groups of 15 to 20 people (or fewer), Little Piggy offers more intimate, cosy, private spaces, with one room that seats 12 people and one for 20 people. A bespoke menu can be created if you have a specific theme in mind, or there is always the venue’s famous sharing Christmas roast dinner. But if a three-course meal isn’t what you’re after, Charlie offers an alternative: “You’re welcome to carry out any activities or ice breakers, such as wreath-making with festive nibbles, if you prefer.” A flexible choice for everything from smaller gatherings to larger parties, Broadway Cellars has its own wine shop, which can be transformed into a private function space, as well as the main bar with sociable seating dotted throughout. “We don’t really believe in a one-size- fits-all approach, so we’re happy to work with each group to create something that suits them. That could be a big Christmas party with live music, dancing and cocktails, or something much more relaxed, such as a wine tasting and charcuterie board get- together,” Emily explains.
you end up with a brilliant collection of memories from the night. “I also love interactive entertainment such as blind wine tasting challenges, where teams have to guess the grape, country or even the price of different wines. For something a little different, you could bring in a caricature artist or live illustrator to capture guests throughout the evening. It’s those personal touches that can turn a standard Christmas party into something people actually remember.” Both Emily and Zoe enjoy watching organisers maximise their use of the venue space. “One of the things I love most about Christmas events at St Catharine’s is seeing organisers really make the most of the character of the college and work with us to add memorable touches. For example, I have seen organisers use the different spaces around the college to create a real journey for their guests,” says Zoe. “The most effective events are often those where the organiser has thought beyond simply booking a room and arranging a meal and has created an unforgettable experience.”
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK OCTOBER 2026 55
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