If you’ve ever waited until November to start planning your office Christmas do, you’re already too late. According to a new survey of 2,000 UK adults, 80% believe the best time to plan the office party is before the end of September, with many citing venue availability, outfit prep and budget burnout as the main reasons.
But it's not just timing that splits the nation. From preferred party types to what people actually want to wear, we uncovered some surprising divides, and some common ground, across genders, generations and regions.
The Party You Think Everyone Wants? Think Again.
Forget awkward sit-down dinners or novelty team-building days - a classic night out topped the charts as the UK’s ideal Christmas party. When asked to rank their top activity, 42% chose “drinks and dancing at a city centre bar” over more niche options like escape rooms (9%), murder mystery evenings (6%) or hiring a private chef (14%).
But the preference wasn’t universal. Our data revealed a noticeable gender gap, with 53% of men preferring a bar-based blowout, compared to only 34% of women, many of whom leaned towards cocktail-making experiences (21%) or afternoon tea with fizz (18%).
Mark Your Calendar: December 12–15 Reigns Supreme
Despite all the talk of Dry Decembers and rising costs, the appetite for a proper festive bash is still strong. When asked for their ideal date, the majority of Brits (67%) voted for a mid-December party, with Friday 12th topping the list.
Why that weekend? Respondents cited:
• Better availability of colleagues before annual leave starts
• Higher energy levels before Christmas fatigue kicks in
• More freedom to recover before the big day itself
In contrast, only 7% wanted a party in early December, and just 5% liked the idea of a January celebration, suggesting “New Year, new me” doesn’t extend to festive fun.
North vs South: Who Parties Best?
Unsurprisingly, Londoners were most likely to go all-out, with 64% preferring full glamour on a night out, while those in the North East were twice as likely to opt for a pub knees-up. In the South West, a quarter of respondents chose countryside retreats or cosy dinners over city nights, pointing to a slower festive pace.
Meanwhile, Scotland had the highest demand for live music (23%), suggesting ceilidhs or DJ-led parties still hold cultural weight.
Sequins or Smart Casual? Here’s What Gen Z and Boomers Actually Wear
It wouldn’t be a Christmas party without an outfit dilemma. When asked what they’d wear to their preferred event:
• Gen Z women overwhelmingly chose glitter mini dresses (58%), while Gen Z men preferred smart trainers and Cuban shirts (42%)
• Millennials leaned into jumpsuits, metallic co-ords and sleek tailoring, with a strong preference for gender-neutral suits (19%)
• Gen X men stayed loyal to open-collar shirts and blazers, while Gen X women preferred cocktail dresses and block heels
• Boomers? Comfort over chaos. Flat shoes, knitwear and classic dresses ruled, with zero interest in fast fashion glitz
Interestingly, 34% of men across all ages said they’d buy a completely new outfit for the party, compared to just 21% of women, who cited sustainability and cost as key concerns.
So… When Should You Start Planning?
Take it from your future self: early September is the golden window. Our data shows that teams who book before October enjoy:
• 24% lower venue costs
• More availability for popular Fridays
• First dibs on group discounts
• Time to plan travel, Secret Santa and of course… the outfits
Want to keep your office party on point this year? Don’t wait until someone casually drops “we should probably book something” in mid-November. Start now, ask your team what they really want, and give people time to prepare their perfect look.
You’ve got the insight, now bring the festive energy.
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