Every year, the same thing happens. By the time we enter the last two weeks of December, the group chats are buzzing, the plans are finally coming together… and suddenly everyone realizes the same painful truth:
There are almost no event spaces left.
No affordable ones.
No large ones.
Not even the quirky basement studios you swore you’d never book.
If you’re thinking about hosting a Christmas dinner, an office party, a friends-only Secret Santa night, a New Year’s bash, or even a cozy family gathering — the time to book is NOW.
Here’s why.
🎄 December Spaces Sell Out Earlier Than You Think
Whether you’re in Toronto, Vancouver, New York, Chicago, or anywhere in between, December is the Super Bowl of event venues. Demand skyrockets for:
- Christmas parties
- Corporate year-end events
- Holiday cocktail nights
- Family reunions
- New Year countdown parties
- Winter weddings
- Photo/video studio bookings
Most hosts tell the same story: 80–90% of their December dates are gone by the second or third week of November— and the remaining slots?
Usually weekdays or weird hours.
If you wait until December 15th thinking you’ll grab something festive, affordable, and close by… good luck.
🎉 Party Ideas That Work for All Budgets
Whether you want to go big or keep things simple, here are ideas that always work:
1. The Cozy Winter Lounge Party
Perfect for smaller groups who want warm vibes.
What you need:
- A small private room or studio
- A mini hot-chocolate bar
- Warm lighting + a playlist
- Simple snacks (charcuterie boards are undefeated)
Tip: Look for spaces that include seating + décor to save money.
2. The “Bring Your Own Dish” Christmas Dinner
Affordable, fun, and a great way to get everyone involved.
What you need:
- A venue with a kitchen or serving area
- A shared Google Sheet so people choose dishes
- Christmas photo corner (cheap décor works!)
Bonus: No single person gets stuck cooking everything.
3. The Office-to-Afterparty Hybrid
Do your year-end meeting and celebration in the same venue.
What you need:
- A space with a projector + sound system
- Catering or potluck
- A “wins of the year” board + music later at night
Tip: These venues are usually the first to sell out.
4. The Budget-Friendly New Year Countdown
You don’t need a club to have a great NYE.
What you need:
- A 20–30 person event room
- LED lights
- Spotify premium (trust me)
- A snacks-and-toast bar
Money-saver: Split the venue cost among the group.
5. The Winter Photo/Content Party
Perfect for friend groups, couples, creators, or even small brands.
What you need:
- A studio with props and lights (many come ready-made!)
- Simple themed outfits
- Hot drinks + pastries
Bonus: These studio slots go FAST closer to Christmas.
How to Choose the Best Event Space (Without Overpaying)
Here’s what smart renters check BEFORE booking:
1. Location vs. Transportation
Pick something close to major transit, parking, or central areas.
People always underestimate December traffic.
2. All-in Cost vs. Hidden Fees
Check:
- Cleaning fees
- Hourly vs. flat rate
- Event-specific surcharges
- Minimum hours
- Security deposits
A beautiful place can become very expensive once fees hit.
3. What’s Already Included
Smart picks include spaces with:
- Tables + chairs
- Sound system
- Lighting
- Heating (very important in Canada!)
- Kitchenette access
The more included → the less you spend on supplies.
4. Host Responsiveness
Look for hosts with fast replies, especially during holiday rush.
🇨🇦 Smart Tips for Canadians (especially Ontario)
If you’re in Canada, especially Ontario, your best chance of finding good holiday venues on time is to search early on reliable platforms with real hosts, not random Facebook posts that disappear after 30 minutes.
This is where Kangrooo quietly becomes one of the easiest options.
Not a promotion — just the truth:
Kangrooo’s listings in Ontario range from:
- coworking spaces for office parties
- loft-style event rooms
- photo studios
- multipurpose halls
- boutique event spaces
- private rooms for family gatherings
The platform is built for real-time availability, which is exactly what December renters need.
You can explore spaces in:
Toronto • Brampton • Mississauga • Scarborough • London • Hamilton • Kitchener • Waterloo • Ottawa • Guelph and more.
And because Kangrooo is Canadian-built, the listings often have better clarity around winter essentials like:
- Heating
- Parking
- Public transit access
- Winter-hours policies
If you’re in Ontario, check Kangrooo early — the good ones don’t last.
🇺🇸 U.S. Event Space Options (But Book Early!)
For U.S. readers, major cities sell out even earlier than Canada.
NYC, LA, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami… everything premium goes before December even begins.
Popular U.S. platforms to consider include:
- Splacer
- EventUp
These are great — just remember: book fast, not last.
💰 How Riders & Groups Save Money on Holiday Rentals
Here are tricks most people forget:
- Book weekdays — Monday–Thursday is WAY cheaper.
- Afternoon slots are more affordable than evenings.
- Find venues walking distance to transit (saves on Uber chaos).
- Split the booking across the group — $300 becomes $15 each.
- Ask hosts for holiday-package discounts — many offer them if you book early.
🎁 Final Word: December Starts Now—Don’t Wait
Christmas and New Year feel far away…
…but by the time your group decides where to party, the good spaces are already locked in by early birds.
If you want:
- A nice space
- At a decent price
- With good availability
- And no last-minute frustration
Book your venue now, not on December 20th when everything is gone.
If you’re in Ontario (or anywhere in Canada where Kangrooo has listings), that’s one of the easiest places to start.
Check early → pick smart → celebrate without stress.
