While it’s no secret that the annual Christmas bash is renowned as being a key event of the office social calendar, it is now almost as popular for companies to throw a summer party as well.
In a Guest blog from Lucy Meehan, Business Development Manager at The Natural History Museum, we learn why there is a rising demand from corporate clients wanting to add a summer party to their annual events calendar. Here’s what she had to say:
Christmas Party v Summer Soiree: The Trends
With research showing that the average company Christmas party garners less than 85% attendance from staff, and with most parties held on Thursdays and Fridays in December, summer parties can offer more flexibility in available dates for attendees.
Both occasions are the perfect excuse to let your hair down – but, as with any event, trends differ wildly from season to season. Here at The National History Museum, we see the same demand every year for Christmas party bookings, with our Hintze Hall and Earth Hall bookings filling up from February onwards.
But in the last 18 months, there has been such a rising demand for summer parties that in 2019 we offered summer party packages for the first time ever, with Spaces including our tranquil Darwin Centre Courtyard – a tranquil setting for up to 350 people – resulting in a further increase in bookings.
Events for all seasons
There are some notable differences between summer and winter events; over the festive period you will experience a high level of bookings for seated dinners, with three courses and wine, however at a summer party, due to the more amenable weather, there are more bookings for outdoor drinks receptions, which changes the mood of the event.
When it comes to reasons to throw a party, Christmas celebrates itself. The traditional event at the end of the working year, for office workers to don their finery and get together to enjoy themselves over Christmas dinner.
The summer party, on the other hand, is more likely to be organised for a particular reason, with many companies choosing to celebrate the end of a successful financial year by hosting an event for their colleagues.
Summer is often favoured by event and hospitality professionals; with Christmas undoubtedly the busiest time for anyone in the industry hosting events, the summer months are the perfect time to book a meaningful celebration.
The differences in venue dressing also differ from season to season – the chill of winter sees the museum decked out in traditional festive décor, while event organisers favour bold florals for summer offerings.
Festivilisation is on the rise
Summer parties inspire a more festival-esque atmosphere; the events in our Darwin Centre courtyard are decorated with deckchairs and bunting, with street food offered instead of a sit-down meal and an acoustic band performing.
While there may be some notable differences between summer and winter events, most importantly, many key elements remain the same; delicious food, thoughtful décor, great music and an infectious party atmosphere! What more could you ask for?
The Natural History Museum is the perfect place to host your event, summer or winter, with a variety of Spaces available. For large events, the spectacular Hintze Hall is perfect, with Guests able to celebrate under Hope the blue whale. For summer parties and outdoor receptions, the bright, outdoor Darwin Centre Courtyard is perfect or alternatively, you can use Earth Hall which features the most intact Stegosaurus fossil ever discovered, with the Space accommodating up to 400 people.
For more summer party venues in London check out our HeadBox favourites here.
