Where to celebrate Christmas in Canberra

Posted on 16 October, 2019

Whether you’re organising your Christmas work function, family get-together or Christmas Day lunch, we’ve got you covered.

We don’t mean to alarm you, but it’s 69 days until Christmas—and that means there’s way less time until your office Christmas party.

With most office functions taking place from early November, it’s time to lock in that venue now and start sending out diary requests and dietary requirements.

After all, Lisa from Accounts needs to have as much as possible to decide whether to invite her new boyfriend. Give a girl some notice!

And that’s before you get into what to do on Christmas Day! Luckily, we’ve got Canberra’s best spots for both sorted.

VERTIKAL SNOWSPORTS

Unlike anything else in Canberra.

Vertikal Snowsports’ 1000sqm venue is perfect for a wide range of Christmas parties—whether you are seeking a private corner for relaxed after-work drinks, a company-wide event with specialty grazing boards and locally sourced beverages, or an adrenaline-filled afternoon of skiing and snowboarding, we have something everyone can après-ciate.

With sessions starting at only thirty minutes, close proximity to the CBD, catering options, and all the equipment you need to ski or board included, you can leave your worries at work, relax, and enjoy the full alpine experience.

Boasting natural light, European après vibes, indoor skiing and boarding, and toasty fireplaces, you ’snow’ your event will be the talk of the town.

Ski packages starting from $50pp Drinks packages starting from $20pp

Vertikal Snowsports | Unit 2, Building 3/1 Dairy Rd, Fyshwick | vertikalsnowsports.com

PIALLIGO ESTATE

There’s never been a better time to sample Pialligo Estate’s expansive new offerings than the festive season.

For any Christmas gathering large or small, Pialligo Estate can unveil a feast for the senses with a choice of Christmas menus offering decadence from start to finish across their variety of beautiful light-filled spaces, including the Glasshouse, Pavilion, Private Dining Rooms, Pialligo Fields or even their outdoor spaces, such as the Olive Grove Marquee.

With flexible corporate function offerings, they make it easy to create atmosphere with lawn games, Secret Santa treasure hunts, wine bingo, a Gintonica bar and more, as well as dining offerings starting from just $45pp, from gourmet BBQs to sharing menus or decadent four-course feasts.

Make your Christmas work event worthy of the season… and actually fun! Plus, they’ll be hosting Christmas carols and a special Christmas High Tea event, so keep an eye on their website for information.

Pialligo Estate | 18 Kallaroo Road, Pialligo | thepialligoestate.com.au

TERRA

Modern City West eatery Terra is firing up the spit for the Christmas party season and with their city location, it’s the perfect spot for a relaxed inside/outside function.

Gather round and get stuffed with their ‘Feed Me Menu’ focusing on smoked meats and seasonal sides with fresh salads and plentiful drink options.

From $65pp

Terra | 40 Marcus Clarke Street, City  | (02) 6230 4414 | terracanberra.com.au 

EAST HOTEL

Located in the leafy inner south, EAST Hotel has a number of unique spaces available to hold Christmas gatherings. Consider The Terrace @ Agostinis, Joe’s Bar or the fabulous hotel lobby for a Christmas party to remember with pizza and spritz packages available from $28pp.

For Christmas party enquiries please contact the events team at meet@easthotel.com.au.

For Christmas Day, Agostinis Restaurant is hosting ‘Pranzo di Natale’, a long Italian Christmas Lunch of four courses and prosecco on arrival for $110pp and $30 per bambini.

Bookings can be made via the Facebook Event or for enquiries contact Agostinis on 02 6178 0048.

EAST Hotel | 69 Canberra Ave | (02) 6295 6925 | easthotel.com.au

THE HOWLING MOON

Step into the wild this Christmas at Canberra’s coolest rooftop bar—The Howling Moon.

With extended opening hours from Monday–Sunday midday–late throughout December and Christmas party packages available from 50-100 guests, soak up phenomenal views of Canberra from the northside’s most exclusive rooftop bar.

The Howling Moon | The Rex Hotel, 150 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon | 6248 5311 | thehowlingmoon.com.au

BOOKPLATE

Bookplate is adding a splash of style to corporate Christmas festivities this year with lunch, dinner, and cocktail packages available from 1 November to 20 December.

Choose the Merrymakers Lunch for a lunchtime summer soiree to toast the season with a three-course set menu by their talented team of chefs—with bubbles on arrival—for $45pp. Available Monday–Friday from at 12.30pm.

Want the go the whole roast ham? Choose the Festive Dinner for an evening of shared dinning. Bookplate is putting on a delicious three-course feast with a three-hour beverage package for $110pp. Get in touch with Bookplate to confirm date availability—minimum guest numbers apply.

For a fun-filled affair on Bookplate’s outdoor terrace overlooking Lake Burley Griffin, choose the Christmas Cocktail Party with lawn games to get the party started and a three-hour beverage package and canapés for $80pp.

Bookplate | 25 Parkes Place West (inside the foyer of the National Library of Australia | (02) 6262 1154 | bookplate.com.au

QT CANBERRA

QT Canberra has the big day covered with not only one but two indulgent venue options for Christmas Day Lunch.

In the grand QT Ballroom, enjoy a sit-down lunch with the whole family. Celebrate with entertainment and a dream buffet for the kids included and for adults—Santa’s bringing a three-hour drinks package and special plated menu showcasing exquisite canapes, a fresh seafood plate, salmon entrees, turkey roulade and a lamb rack for mains. And of course, an unforgettable pavlova with fruits and assorted petit fours to finish. Best of all, you won’t have to lift a finger, except to tilt your glass of Champagne!

Wednesday 25 December from 12 – 3 pm | Book here

Alternatively, gift yourself a culinary journey at Capitol Bar and Grill Restaurant this Christmas. Set up as an interactive marketplace ready for your perusing pleasure, work your way through a selection of fresh seafood, traditional carveries, and salads.

Glasses will be topped up with a 3-hour beverage package of Lerida Estate wines and a glass of sparkling on arrival.

Once happily stuffed, top off your food coma with a dessert station bursting with house-made joy.

Wednesday 25 December from 12 – 3 pm | Book here

HOTEL REALM

Celebrate this festive season in style in Barton’s luxurious Hotel Realm.

Christmas party packages start from $69pp and include Christmas bon-bons, lectern, stage and dance floor and beverage packages available from just $15 per person/per hour. View the menu and packages here.

And, if you’d like to spend Christmas Day relaxing in the comfort of famous Hotel Realm hospitality, there are one of three locations to choose from—Buvette’s Christmas Day Lunch Buffet, Christmas Day Lunch on the Burbury Terrace across the road, or the decadent buffet lunch in Hotel Realm’s ballroom.

Each has its own inclusions, menu and unique festive atmosphere, so make sure to check out the Hotel Realm website for more information.

Hotel Realm | 18 National Circuit, Barton | For bookings or further information, please call 02 6163 1800 or email events@domahotels.com.au or see hotelrealm.com.au/whats-on

POLLEN

Celebrate the festive season amongst the lush surrounds of the Australian National Botanical Gardens at Pollen.

With a relaxed garden party atmosphere, Christmas functions at Pollen will have the choice of the Cocktail Party’s roving canapés or the Festive Dinner package with a three-course sharing menu focused on delicious food paired with carefully curated wines and beers.

There will also be lawn games, plenty of bubbles and exclusive use of the venue.

Cocktail Party from $80 per person including three-hour beverage package, canapes, venue exclusivity and lawn games on request.

Festive Dinner from $110 per person including a three-hour beverage package, entrée, main and dessert and venue exclusivity.

Pollen | Australian National Botanic Gardens, Acton | pollencafe.com.au/christmas

THE SWAN & KING

Experience sheer opulence at the capital’s finest cocktail lounge The Swan & King. Inspired by the legendary King Ludwig II, this is a party venue is fit for royalty and that’s exactly how your guests will feel with Christmas function packages that include a complementary glass of sparkling on arrival*.

With packages available for all group sizes from an intimate part of five to a grand celebration for 150 guests, get in touch with the Rex Hotel team for more information.

The Swan & King | The Rex Hotel, 150 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon | swanandking.com.au

CROWNE PLAZA CANBERRA

Crowne Plaza Canberra has plenty of flexible options to celebrate the 2019 festive season.

Looking to book Christmas Day lunch for the family? Dine at Redsalt Restaurant opposite Glebe Park for your Christmas Day Lunch and feast on a smorgasbord of traditional and modern festive favourites.

On the menu will be chilled seafood, gourmet salads, hot and cold starters, flavourful roast turkey, delicious roast ham from the carvery station, a selection of hot dishes and sides, plus tempting cakes and desserts to finish.

Crowne Plaza | 1 Binara Street, City | (02) 6274 5500 (dial extension 2 during business hours) or contact eventscanberra@ihg.com | canberra.crowneplaza.com

*Conditions apply.

Feature image: The Howling Moon at The Rex Hotel. 

This is a sponsored editorial. For more information on sponsored editorials, click here. Want your venue’s Christmas offerings to be listed here? Contact HerCanberra’s Business Development Manager Sarah at sarah@hercanberra.com.au.