Corporate party
Organising your company's end-of-year party
For an end-of-year party in December, book the venue between September and early November: Thursday and Friday evenings in December go first. Choose the format first (seated dinner, cocktail dinner, dance party or festive team building), then the venue according to the number of guests and the city.
In short
- Book between September and early November for a December party.
- Thursday and Friday evenings are the most requested dates.
- Four formats: seated dinner, cocktail dinner, dance party, festive team building.
- January: an alternative with more venues available.
Which format for your party?
The format sets the mood, the type of venue and a large part of the budget. It depends on the number of guests and on what you want to encourage: conversation, celebration or team spirit.
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Seated dinner
A meal served at the table, ideal for a speech, an awards ceremony or a group that wants to take its time.
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Cocktail dinner
Savoury and sweet bites served standing: guests move around and mingle, and the venue holds more people.
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Dance party
A dinner or cocktail followed by a dance floor with a DJ or a band: check the end time and the venue's noise rules.
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Festive team building
A fun activity early in the evening, such as a murder mystery, a cooking workshop or a quiz, before the meal.
Your end-of-year party in the major cities
Median price excl. VAT per person for a seated dinner and for a cocktail dinner, and venues for a corporate party in eight major French cities.
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Paris
Party venues in Paris -
Bordeaux
- €42 Median price excl. VAT per person for a seated dinner
- €45 Median price excl. VAT per person for a cocktail dinner
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Lyon
- €65 Median price excl. VAT per person for a seated dinner
- €69 Median price excl. VAT per person for a cocktail dinner
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Marseille
- €49 Median price excl. VAT per person for a seated dinner
- €64 Median price excl. VAT per person for a cocktail dinner
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Nantes
- €38 Median price excl. VAT per person for a seated dinner
- €48 Median price excl. VAT per person for a cocktail dinner
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Aix-en-Provence
- €50 Median price excl. VAT per person for a seated dinner
- €48 Median price excl. VAT per person for a cocktail dinner
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Toulouse
- €39 Median price excl. VAT per person for a seated dinner
- €45 Median price excl. VAT per person for a cocktail dinner
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Lille
- €38 Median price excl. VAT per person for a seated dinner
- €43 Median price excl. VAT per person for a cocktail dinner
Alfred Meeting data: rates published by the venues. Last updated: October 2026.
Booking calendar
Milestones for a party in December: bring each step forward if your group is large or if you are aiming for a Thursday or a Friday.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| September | Set the budget, the number of guests, the format and two or three possible dates, then ask for your first quotes. |
| October | Compare the quotes, visit the shortlisted venues and place an option on your favourite. |
| Early November | Confirm the venue, then book the caterer, the entertainment and the guests' journey home. |
| November | Send the invitations, collect dietary requirements and set the running order of the evening. |
| Two weeks before | Confirm the final headcount, the seating plan and the timings with the venue. |
| After the party | Gather the guests' feedback and note what to keep for next year. |
Frequently asked questions
When should you book the venue for an end-of-year party?
Between September and early November for a party in December. Thursday and Friday evenings go first; the larger the group, the earlier you should start.
Which day should you choose for a corporate party in December?
Thursday and Friday are the most requested. A Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday leaves more choice of venues, and often more flexible terms.
What budget per person should you plan?
It mainly depends on the format, the city, the drinks and the entertainment. Describe your party: a project manager sends you detailed quotes from suitable venues, free of charge.
Seated dinner or cocktail dinner?
A seated dinner suits speeches and groups that want to take their time; a cocktail dinner encourages mingling and holds more guests in the same space. Some venues offer a cocktail followed by a dinner.
How do you organise the guests' journey home?
Plan a solution before the evening: shuttles, booked taxis, a venue close to public transport or rooms nearby. State the end time in the invitation.
Can the party take place in January?
Yes. A new-year party, around the new-year greetings, avoids the busiest weeks of December and leaves more choice of venues and dates.
Let us find the perfect venue for you - it's free!
- Benefit from a personalized venue search for your professional event. An event expert will guide you from the initial briefing to offer negotiations.
- If you are organizing an event that combines multiple criteria (meeting rooms, team-building activities, accommodations, evening events, etc.), Alfred Meeting conducts a custom venue search for you.