Enjoy the end of the year in the NFSA’s shady courtyard. Photo: NFSA Canberra, Facebook.
Christmas may seem like it’s far away, but pretty soon, every business, department and agency in Canberra will be looking around frantically for a venue that can host them. To help you make a booking before things get tight, we’ve put together a guide to the best spots to celebrate the end of the year.
Whether you’re after a stylish garden party, large-scale ballroom celebrations with room for a thousand guests, masterfully catered formal meals, or just a casual night at your local pub, we’ve found something to help you mark the festive season in style.
Put your holiday event in the hands of the professionals at the Hyatt. Photo: Hyatt Hotel Canberra.
Festive Soirees at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra
Where: Hyatt Hotel Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Ave, Yarralumla
Cost: Tailored packages from $79 | Book online.
The Hyatt Hotel is one of Canberra’s premier destinations for social gatherings, end-of-year functions and Christmas parties, with a hospitality pedigree going back a century.
There’s no better place to cap off the year than the Hyatt, with its myriad function spaces from private bars for intimate events to larger ballrooms for entertaining the whole company.
Starting from $79 per person, bookings include a one-hour beverage package, six canapés per person and an in-house event planner. Book by 1 December.
Events at The Yacht Club, Canberra Southern Cross Club. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Christmas at the Canberra Southern Cross Club
Where: Various locations including Woden, Tuggeranong and the Yacht Club in Yarralumla
Cost: Prices vary | See function package for more information.
Canberra Southern Cross Club has three separate venues across the capital offering a diverse range of function and event spaces, with clubs in Woden, Tuggeranong and Yarralumla each providing something different.
The Yacht Club offers something special, with a function space overlooking the water and taking in views of Black Mountain, as well as more intimate function areas in the main restaurant or the Lotus Room.
The Southern Cross Club in Tuggeranong has room to host a real crowd, with a ballroom that can hold 700 at a banquet or 1000 in a cocktail setting.
Hold your Christmas celebration at the NPG. Photo: National Portrait Gallery.
National Portrait Gallery
Where: National Portrait Gallery, King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Cost: Prices vary | More information online.
The National Portrait Gallery does more than just host some of the nation’s most treasured artworks; it also hosts corporate events to mark the end of the year, providing refined hospitality across four distinct event spaces, with a backdrop of culture and history.
From large-scale events in the architecturally inspiring Gordon Darling Hall to smaller company celebrations in the Terrace Room, the National Portrait Gallery hosts events as elegant as its spaces.
The NFSA is one of Canberra’s best venues for a garden party. Photo: NFSA.
Events at the National Film and Sound Archive
Where: National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA), 1 McCoy Cct, Acton
Cost: Prices vary | Enquiries online.
Few venues in Canberra have the history and diversity of spaces as the NFSA, with its lush green courtyard, its theatrette, two-storey library, art-deco foyer and heritage meeting space.
A business or department looking to finish off the year in style will find a lot to love at the NFSA. For a relaxed, standing event, the courtyard is ideal, with room for 350 standing guests, plenty of greenery, a fish pond, native fauna motifs and columned walkways.
The Kookaburra Room is well-suited for an executive-level yearly recap, where decision-makers can discuss the year in a quieter setting.
Great service and special cuisine make the Hellenic Club a no-brainer. Photo: Hellenic Club of Canberra.
Hellenic Club of Canberra
Where: Hellenic Club of Canberra, 1 Matilda St, Phillip
Cost: Packages vary | More information online.
The Hellenic Club is one of Canberra’s favourite spots to get together and celebrate for good reason. Excellent service, versatile spaces offered with or without a dance floor, and delicious food crafted by experts in creating memorable events set the venue apart. Savour the warm weather with Mediterranean cuisine, including plenty of Greek antipasto, traditional mezze, and seafood platters.
Need a venue for your Christmas party this year? Check out the Christmas Party race day at Thoroughbred Park on Friday, 4 December. Photo: Photox.
Christmas Party Race Day
When: 4 December from 11:30 am
Where: Thoroughbred Park, 1 Randwick Road, Lyneham
Cost: General admission free, packages available for purchase | More information online.
Celebrate your Christmas party with Thoroughbred Park. There are plenty of packages available to suit your party size and needs. Make this year’s Christmas a special one with plenty of exciting races and all the energy that comes with a great day at the track.
Food and beverages are available at the Thoroughbred Cafe, the Winning Post Bar and the Black Opal Room (Members).
Keep it cruisy at the Dock. Photo: The Dock Kingston.
The Dock on the Kingston Foreshore
Where: The Dock, 7/81 Giles Street, Kingston
Cost: Prices vary by space | Book online.
Say farewell to 2026 at the Dock, a casual venue suitable for large groups looking to let loose on the foreshore. Whether you want to take in views of the water in the beer garden, have a sit-down in the courtyard or enjoy a casual night of drinks in the bar, the Dock has a space for you and your coworkers.
A healthy dose of competition could be the perfect catalyst for stronger bonds between workmates. Photo: Aperture Media.
Christmas Tennis
Where: 37 clubs across the ACT region.
Cost: Local court hire from $10 to $35 per person per hour.
Looking for something a bit different for this year’s Christmas party? Book one of Canberra’s many tennis courts for a friendly day of tennis. It’s a great way to bond, foster some friendly competition and get out and about, enjoying the warm weather.
Players can compete for bragging rights or a trophy, but businesses can get creative in how they encourage effort on the court.
Take it easy with challenge rooms and mini-golf at Hijinx Hotel. Photo: Hijinx Hotel.
Hijinx Hotel
Where: Hijinx Hotel Canberra, Canberra Centre, Corner of Cooyong Street and Ainslie Ave, 148 Bunda St
Cost: Prices vary | Book online.
Hijinx Hotel keeps things light, with challenge rooms, mini-golf and karaoke right in Canberra’s Civic Centre, paired with an extensive cocktail menu, including plenty of shots, bombs, spirits, beer and non-alcoholic drinks.
Finish off the year with some adventure. Photo: Treetops Adventure.
Treetops Adventure
Where: Off Lime Kiln Rd, Majura
Cost: Prices vary. Check the website for more information.
Why not combine your end-of-year celebration with some team-building group exercises at Treetops Adventure for an active, outdoor activity that challenges personal boundaries, gets you moving and builds confidence? Adventurers will get to climb trees, cross daring gaps and brave great heights. Head to Treetops Adventure for a holiday event that thinks outside the box.
