Planning an end-of-year event or looking for the best spots to soak up the festive spirit? From Christmas-themed dinners to vibrant spots for lively gatherings, here are the top places to celebrate the festive season in Canberra.

The Inn

Whether it be work Christmas parties, family lunches or friendmas, The Inn is kicking things off early so you can kick your feet up. Hosting Christmas lunches on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 December, expect the classic Aussie Christmas lunch, done perfectly. The menu includes a cold seafood platter with oysters, prawns, caviar and more to start, followed by turkey with cranberry, veggies and stuffing, potato salad, champagne dressing salad, and a delectable marshmallow pavlova with summer fruits and whipped ganache to finish. Big group? No worries, feel right at home in the private dining room.

Lazy Su

Silly season boozy yum cha! Lazy Su is celebrating the festivities with Saturday lunch every week until the end of the year, and it has already begun! Featuring an array of favourites, including wagyu cheesesteak spring rolls, fried prawn dumplings and char siu pork pancakes, plus bottomless drinks like Mada wines and yuzu and peach soju slushies, what better way to get in your last catchups for 2024?

Wakefield’s

Groups, big or small, Wakefield’s is gearing up to host your end-of-year parties! With customisable packages, book out the entire space for your event or dine in the private room during December and January. Offering a cocktail-style function, book out the bar and enjoy the benefits of your own bartender, control of the music, a dance floor, and roaming canapes. If you choose an intimate event in the private room, tailor the space to your liking and enjoy a ‘Feed Me’ menu.

Lanterne Rooms

Celebrate the festive season at Lanterne Rooms. With both an alfresco terrace and private dining room available to book for your next event, enjoy an exquisite dining experience to signal the end of the year. Offering their signature Southeast Asian cuisine in the sharing style banquet, degustation or a la carte menu, all the favourites, including the Tom Yum infused prawns and the whole Humpty Doo Barramundi masak lemak are included. Paired with the perfect cool climate wine from the curated wine list, toast to the end of 2024.

Hyatt Hotel

Experience the magic of Christmas at Hyatt Hotel Canberra. Choose from a delightful Christmas-themed High Tea or step into a gourmet wonderland with a festive buffet lunch or dinner. Perfect for intimate get-togethers or team catch-ups to celebrate the silly season. Reservations for Hyatt’s famous Christmas Day lunch or dinner are also now open.

Midnight Hotel

The perfect setting for any holiday event, Midnight Hotel welcomes you to celebrate the festive season. Accommodating both end-of-year functions and Christmas Day lunch, consider your party sorted. For private events, choose from a variety of stylish boutique event spaces and delicious food and wine including feasting options such as a seafood tower, suckling pig and Christmas ham. If you’re looking for a venue to enjoy Christmas Day, Midnight will be hosting a share-style lunch across both the bar and restaurant with a cocktail on arrival, bonbons for the table and a photobooth. Beverage packages and the private dining room are also available to elevate the celebration.

Snapper & Co

Sign off for 2024 or celebrate the New Year with a Tipsy Tea at Snapper & Co. On the first Friday of each month, from November to February, spend the afternoon sipping on bubbles by the lake. Including bottomless Prosecco and three signature cocktails, graze on a high tea station of goodies such as finger sandwiches and a selection of desserts.

First Edition

Not your average buffet, First Edition is celebrating the end of the year with a delicious Christmas lunch. A two-course menu with all the trimmings, enjoy a complimentary drink on arrival and relax in their spacious restaurant overlooking the city.

Central Social Club

Make your Christmas one to remember at the Central Social Club. On Christmas Day, the restaurant will be putting on a lunch buffet with bubbles on arrival and Sydney Rock Oysters, QLD King Prawns, glazed Christmas ham, pork belly, dark chocolate torte, pavlova and more!

The Yard

Opening seasonally during the warmer months, The Yard in Jamison is the perfect outdoor setting for your Christmas celebrations. Open on the weekends, they offer delicious sharing plates and cocktails, beer and wine with lawn game and live sport on the big screen.

Canberra Southern Cross Club

Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden, Jamison and Tuggeranong will host Christmas Day lunches this year. Offering a three-course meal including seafood, traditional roasts and an extensive dessert buffet, feel the spirit of Christmas with your family and friends in a relaxed setting…where you don’t have to cook! Tickets are selling fast, so get the family organised and book a table.

Labor Club

Christmas is in full swing across Canberra Labor Club, Weston Creek Labour Club and Ginninderra Labour Club. From ham raffles, a Toy Giftacular, and Christmas Day buffets, get around the festivities during December.

For more Christmas events, visit our What’s on page.