How to Create the Perfect Folkestone Christmas Party

Twinkling lights, laughter, and the clink of glasses; there’s nothing quite like the festive season for bringing together friends, colleagues, and family. The Burlington Hotel is one of Folkestone’s top Christmas party venues, whether it’s a relaxed festive lunch or an evening dinner dance, offering a stunning setting and a dedicated team ready to fill your guests with Christmas cheer.

Here, Laurent Boizot, Events Manager at the Burlington Hotel, shares a variety of tips and ideas to make your Folkestone Christmas party. Here’s your ultimate guide to hosting an impressive Christmas celebration, complete with themes, timings, festive drinks, and décor inspiration. So, if you want to discover how to create the perfect Folkestone Christmas party this festive season, keep reading...

A CHRISTMAS PARTY THEME THAT WOWS

Most Christmas parties are enjoyable, but if you genuinely want to make yours unforgettable, start with a theme. It not only sets the atmosphere but also simplifies decisions regarding décor and catering. A theme also energises your guests, helping to build anticipation well before the event. Everything from the invitation to entertainment and party favours can be aligned with your chosen theme.

The Burlington Hotel’s elegant function spaces offer the ideal blank canvas to realise your festive vision. They are also available for exclusive hire, so you can fully personalise the décor, from walkways and dining spaces to a private bar and dancefloor.

Classic Christmas Party Themes

Winter Wonderland

This theme is a timeless classic for a reason. Crisp white linens, frosted foliage entangled in a sea of shimmering fairy lights. Elegant, metallic and white colour palettes and snowy scenes await to entice your guests into an enchanted scene. Go big by creating a snow-dusted woodland entryway and providing mulled wine to welcome guests in from the cold, and a hot chocolate station, complete with an array of toppings.

Vintage Glamour

Back in the roaring twenties, they really knew how to throw a party. Embrace the golden age of glamour with Art Deco touches, gold accents, feather table centres and crystal glassware. Bring in a live jazz band or energetic swing music for an authentic Gatsby-inspired evening. Goblets with cocktails are a must. Think of a French 75, Side Car, or an Old Fashioned, and you will embrace the era.

Après-Ski

Create a cosy lodge atmosphere with rustic wood and ski-themed décor. Create cosy chill-out corners with fairy lights and faux fur throws. Serve up alpine classics like raclette or fondue, or create a Christmas market vibe with the scent of bratwurst hot dogs and mulled wine filling the air.

Nordic Chic

Calm colourways, rustic décor, and Nordic-themed décor make for a minimalist yet stylish and welcoming party theme. Bring in soft neutral tones, wood and seasonal greenery. The keyword is hygge, prioritise cosy chic with soft lighting and inviting spaces. You could tap into the sustainable party trend too, use upcycled and recycled materials, create your own paper lanterns, star motifs or dried orange and cinnamon ornaments.

Trending Christmas Party Themes

If tradition is not your thing, maybe you want to up-shift your Christmas party theme with something bang up to date? The ideas we’ll see all over TikTok and Instagram this festive season are inspired by cultural happenings and the hit films, TV shows, and dramas of the season.  Here’s our selection:

Downton: The Movie

Recreate the Edwardian elegance of Britain’s most treasured period drama as the feature film continues to influence us this party season. The dress code should be strictly black tie and sophistication, with bonus points for fancy dress from the era. This is a formal gathering if ever there was one, think tables heaving with elaborate candelabras and a plentiful feast. Keep the atmosphere calm and sophisticated with a jazz trio playing, and after-dinner dancing and cocktails.

Wicked For Good

As the second instalment of the hit musical returns, Wicked fever is set to bring festive gatherings to life. Host a magical celebration that’s bold, dramatic and spellbinding. Decorate half of the room in pink and the other half in emerald green, using theatrical lighting and sparkling details. Create signature pink and green cocktails served in elaborate goblets, one each for Glinda and Elphaba, with dry ice for that added ethereal touch. Add broomsticks, cauldrons and sparkling emerald shoes to your tablescapes or place settings with famous quotes from the film framed throughout. Want to make a real entrance? A yellow brick road is a must-have!

Home Alone: The Classic Christmas Party

Did you know it’s 35 years since Home Alone was released? And what better way to celebrate than with a playful party that’s a nod to the beloved Christmas film. Recreate Kevin’s faux Christmas party with traditional Christmas songs (you know the ones we hear every year), comfort food and cosy jumpers. Why not throw a huge pyjama party with candy treats and festive cocktails? It’s all about recreating that warm indoor glow as a contrast to the cool night air. So, sprinkle snow outside the entrance and deck the halls with a sea of fairy lights. You could even hire in actors to be the villains and have them slapstick their way through the festivities to keep the crowd entertained.

Retro Games Party

Spark nostalgia and connection while hopping on board one of 2025’s Christmas party trends. Celebrations with activities at their centre are becoming popular as corporate parties seek to entertain their multigenerational workforces and also keep things sober-friendly. Hire a sports simulator such as darts, football or cricket, and set your team off on an afternoon tournament. Retro games like foosball, air hockey, shuffleboard, and even Pac-Man are a fun alternative.

THE PERFECT TIME TO CELEBRATE

Not all parties have to involve evening dancing and dinners. An emerging trend within Christmas parties is a lazy afternoon lunch, and at the Burlington Hotel, you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

Festive Lunch Parties

The ideal festive gathering for teams who want to celebrate but still want to be home at a reasonable hour. A festive lunch at the Burlington Hotel is a laid-back and slower-paced affair, giving you ample time to celebrate another year in business while enjoying a delicious meal and great conversation with work colleagues. At just £37.00 per person, it’s a must for office parties.

Evening Celebrations

Of course, some teams will always want the whole festive experience. A sparkling drinks reception, festive music, and a delightful dinner that naturally transitions into dancing and celebration. There’s a reason why this format has endured over time.

Whatever your team’s preference for your Folkestone Christmas party, there’s a format to fit your schedule and budget at the Burlington Hotel.

FESTIVE DRINKS INSPIRATION

No Christmas party is complete without something special in your glass, whether that’s a boozy treat or a carefully crafted mocktail. The Bay Tree Bar’s mixologists have a crafted selection of creative cocktails to keep spirits bright all night long.

Enjoy a classic French Martini or Negroni mixed to perfection, or opt for something a little more unique and Folkestone-inspired like a Canterbury Pudding or Kent Lent Pie. We also offer Cocktail Making Masterclasses if you want to add a fun, hands-on, immersive experience to your Christmas celebration. Meanwhile, creative drinks such as the Virgin Apple Mojito or Espresso Spritz offer tantalising sips for non-drinkers.

You can pre-order drinks packages or create a bespoke bar menu with the hotel’s events team to suit your party style. For a bespoke idea, why not consider a tangerine martini or a cranberry G & T for a festive twist to a classic drink?

A SPRINKLE OF CHRISTMAS MAGIC

Once you've sorted the theme, food, and drinks, it’s the small, thoughtful details that turn your party from ordinary to unforgettable. The Burlington Hotel is already beautifully decorated for Christmas, but adding a few personal touches can genuinely make a difference.

Try candlelit tables with metallic runners to create a soft, romantic glow or use statement centrepieces like mini-Christmas trees, sparkling frosted branches, or floral arrangements. Consider a festive photo wall or branded backdrop. Go all out with an interactive snow globe or 360 photo booths, which are perfect for next-level team photos and social sharing.

Add a small, thoughtful gift for each guest, such as a personalised cookie with their name that also acts as a place setting or a handwritten card celebrating their personal wins for the year.

Remember - little details go a long way to making people feel seen and special.

Book your Christmas party today and let the Burlington Hotel help you create memories that last long after the last dance.

CONTACT

I hope our ideas have helped you to know how to create the perfect Folkestone Christmas party this festive season. If you’re looking for a top hotel in Folkestone for a Christmas party, we can help here too. Visit https://www.theburlingtonhotel.com/ for details of the Burlington Hotel and our latest Christmas offers.

Telephone: 01303 255301

Email: info@theburlingtonhotel.com