Humbug The Immersive Christmas Dive Bar Blog Post Image Header

Humbug brings its wild Xmas Party to Manchester

Why Humbug is the Christmas Party everyone should be talking about

Humbug - The Immersive Christmas Dive Bar hits Manchester this December 2025

Our Blog / Humbug brings its wild Xmas Party to Manchester

How Humbug the Dive Bar is reinventing the Christmas Party Experience

After lighting up London with a confetti-soaked celebration, Humbug, the Christmas Dive Bar, is back and this time, they’re going bigger. Born from a love of theatre, live music, and festive mischief, Humbug made its mark in by transforming traditional Christmas parties into full-blown immersive experiences.

Now, the Humbug team are turning up the heat with a brand-new venue launch in Manchester for the 2025 Christmas season, bringing their signature blend of storytelling, spectacle, and all-out seasonal chaos to the iconic Depot Mayfield.

We sat down with the creators behind Humbug to reflect on their London success, dive into the creativeness behind the show, and get a sneak peek at what’s coming next. Here’s everything you need to know about one London and Manchester’s boldest festive experiences.

Humbug The Immersive Christmas Dive Bar Blog Post Image Secondary_image_1

For those who have not experienced it yet, how would you describe Humbug Christmas in one sentance?

A raucous, confetti-soaked Christmas dive bar where theatre, live music and festive chaos collide to save Santa’s spirit.

What was the original spark of inspiration behind Humbug Christmas?

We’ve always loved Christmas - the music, the mischief, the magic of it all. And we’ve always loved a party. Coming from a background in theatre and live events, we knew we had the skills to create something properly silly, theatrical and special. Humbug was born out of that - a desire to throw a Christmas celebration that’s part show, part night out and completely unforgettable.

Humbug The Immersive Christmas Dive Bar Blog Post Image Secondary_image_2

Can you walk us through the creative process behind building such an immersive and theatrical event?

It started with the idea that Santa should be the hero - but not as we know him. What if he’d lost his mojo? What if the audience had to help bring him back to life? That gave us a narrative we could build everything around. From there, we layered in live music, confetti cannons, outrageous characters and interactive moments to create a night that feels more like a musical you stumble into with a drink in your hand. The goal is always to strike the right balance between party and performance - to keep the energy high but still give people a story they can invest in.

What’s been the most unexpected challenge you've had to overcome in launching Humbug?

It’s actually been a lot of fun refining the script and characters - balancing the wild party atmosphere with proper theatrical beats, special effects and immersive set design. But honestly, one of the strangest challenges has been living in Christmas mode all year round. For three years now we’ve been listening to festive playlists in the middle of summer - it messes with your head.

Were there any standout moments, feedback or learnings from the 2024 London experience that you’re especially proud of?

Getting a new company off the ground is a huge challenge and it’s taken a lot. There’s a tonne of creative work and passion that’s gone into this and seeing everyone up on their feet, dancing and celebrating together is the real payoff. That moment when the whole room sings WHAM at the top of their lungs - that’s the magic.

Humbug The Immersive Christmas Dive Bar Blog Post Image Paragraph_image

What can guests expect from Manchester - will it mirror the London experience or offer something unique tailored to the city?

Manchester is a slightly bigger space and we want to make a big impact - so we’re throwing the kitchen sink at it. It’s going to be an incredible show. We’re also buzzing to be at Depot Mayfield, right alongside Freight Island and the Mayfield Park light trail. It’s such a brilliant location and we’re building the event to match that energy.

How have you seen audience expectations shift over the years when it comes to Christmas parties and end-of-year celebrations?

People want more than just food and drink - they want an experience. There’s a growing desire for events that feel immersive, energetic and shared. Especially after the last few years, audiences are looking for something that feels memorable and connected. It’s not just about entertainment anymore - it’s about joy, togetherness and a bit of escapism. Corporate bookers in particular are looking for experiences that reward their teams in a fun but meaningful way.

How have you seen audience expectations shift over the years when it comes to Christmas parties and end-of-year celebrations?

What trends are you seeing across the events industry as we head toward 2025 - especially around immersive, experiential formats?

There’s a big move toward multi-sensory and hybrid events - formats that blur the lines between theatre, nightlife and live music. Audiences want a sense of story and purpose but without losing the fun. There’s also more interest in repeatable, scalable concepts that can work across multiple cities - that’s something we’re leaning into as we grow Humbug.

Humbug The Immersive Christmas Dive Bar Blog Post Image Paragraph_image 2

Humbug The Immersive Christmas Dive Bar Blog Post Image Paragraph_image 3

Sustainability and inclusivity are increasingly important. How is Humbug approaching these topics in your event planning?

We’ve made a real effort to reuse and repurpose as much of our set and costume design as possible. Our casting is inclusive and we’ve created a work culture that champions safety, fun and fairness. We’re still learning and adapting but we believe the best shows come from teams that feel seen and supported - and from choices that put long-term thinking first.

You’ve built a reputation for doing things differently. What advice would you give to other venue operators or event producers looking to break the mould?

Start with how you want people to feel – then build everything around that. If you want joy, create joy. If you want connection, build in moments of real interaction. Don’t get distracted by trends – focus on quality and creating something people will remember long after they’ve left the venue.

The festive events industry is full of creativity - are there any other teams or venues you're cheering on this Christmas season?

We’ve got a lot of love for Between The Bridges in London and Freight Island in Manchester. We’re also fans of independent theatre companies and arts collectives doing bold, original work. Anyone out there building something with care and energy - we’re cheering them on.

If you could give a practical tip to someone planning their company Christmas party in 2025, what would it be?

Book early - the best events sell out faster than you think. And don’t just go for safe - find something with a bit of spark. The best parties are the ones people talk about well into the new year.

Humbug The Immersive Christmas Dive Bar Blog Post Image Paragraph_image 4

Humbug The Immersive Christmas Dive Bar Blog Post Image Paragraph_image 5

Humbug isn’t your average Christmas party!

Humbug is here for those who are tired of turkey dinners and predictable DJ sets. It’s a full-throttle festive experience that flips the script on what end-of-year celebrations can be. Immersive, theatrical, and genuinely unforgettable.

Whether you're a team of 10 or 200, this is the kind of party people will be talking about long into the new year. Humbug doesn’t just entertain - it redefines how we come together to celebrate.

How to book the Humbug Christmas party?

You can make an enquiry for your Humbug Christmas party using these links:

Humbug, New Jackson
Humbug, at the Vaults (London)

Or give one of our Christmas Party Specialists a call on 0203 967 6967 and we can start planning something extraordinary together.