11 Festive Lunch Experiences Worth Booking

1.Auckland: Hobbiton Movie Set Day Trip with Festive Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,431 reviews · 8 hours · from $182Our pick

Travel from Auckland to Hobbiton by air-conditioned GreatSights coach, with onboard WiFi and commentary from guides such as Rachel, Marty, or Nikki. Walk through the Shire, enter a detailed Hobbit hole, enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn, and finish with a buffet lunch at the Party Marquee.

“Punctual pick up. Great driver (Dave) who entertained us throughout the journey. Amazing tour of Hobbiton film set. Stunning trip. Highly recommended.”

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2.From Rotorua: Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with Festive Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 765 reviews · 6h 30m · from $182

Travel from Rotorua across the Mamaku Ranges to Hobbiton, where guides such as John, Chris, or Dom lead you through the 12-acre film set. See Hobbit holes, the Mill, bridge, Party Tree, and Green Dragon Inn, then enjoy a festive buffet lunch before returning by coach.

“The bus driver Gunther was amazing. The tour was amazing.”

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3.Festive London Christmas Day River Thames Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 47 reviews · 3h 15m · from $235

Board at Westminster Pier for a 195-minute Christmas Day cruise past Parliament, the London Eye, South Bank, and St. Paul’s. You’ll have a welcome sparkling wine, three-course roast lunch, tea or coffee, festive music, and time on the open-air upper deck.

“A fabulous way to spend Christmas. Great vegetarian option. Loved the space between parties on the table to allow for a more intimate setting. Staff were friendly, hospitable and nothing was an issue. Entertainment was great to set the mood.”

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4.Christmas Eve Buffet Lunch or Dinner Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 26 reviews · from $199

Spend Christmas Eve aboard Spirit of New York from Chelsea Piers, with a reserved table, seasonal buffet, DJ music, coffee, tea, and sweeping views from the Hudson and East Rivers. The 2.5-hour dinner cruise passes the Statue of Liberty, bridges, One World Trade Center, and more.

“Belle promenade, 1 h de + même à quai pour le réveillon serait parfait”

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5.Daytour to Santa Claus Village, Reindeer and Husky Safaris, Photo, and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $382

Meet Santa in his office, receive a framed A4 photo, cross the Arctic Circle, ride a reindeer sleigh and husky sled, visit the famous post office, and enjoy lunch at Santa Claus Village. Guides such as Paula and Zoe help keep this busy four to six hour outing on track.

“Everything in the tour pack was covered. The only thing I feel is that it was a little rushed. Apart from that, it was good.”

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6.Christmas Party Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 17 reviews · 3 hours · from $101

Board at Westminster Pier for a three-hour Christmas lunch cruise toward Canary Wharf. You get sparkling wine, a hot three-course meal, tea or coffee, live festive vocals, dancing, and views of the London Eye, The Shard, Tower Bridge, and more.

“Nice food. Friendly staff. Singer had a great voice. Downsides. There were only a few people on the boat so atmosphere rather flat. No one’s fault but the bench style seating made it impossible to get up without asking 3 other people to slide out so made it difficult to chat with other members of our group throughout the trip. Wine quite expensive.”

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7.Christmas Lunch – festive river cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 15 reviews · 3 hours · from $71Best value

Join Weiße Flotte Sachsen for a three-hour Christmas cruise from Dresden’s Old Town to Pillnitz Castle and back. You’ll enjoy a seasonal three-course meal, German-language hosting, festive ship decorations, and atmospheric music while the Elbe scenery passes by.

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8.Tour of London and Christmas Day Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 9 reviews · 7 hours · from $307

Spend Christmas Day touring Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and St Paul’s Cathedral by luxury coach, then join a Thames lunch cruise from Westminster Pier. An English-speaking guide leads the morning, and tables seat 10. Select your meal at booking or 72 hours ahead.

“Buen paseo con un guía sin tanto conocimiento histórico, al terminar el paso en autobús solo nos dejaron junto al Embarcadero y nosotros tuvimos que indagar entre toda la gente donde sería nuestro paseo por el río, luego me indicaron que no sería partícipe por que esa empresa no trabajaba ese día y tuve que aclarar el problema ya que no hay nadie que ayude. Ya al revisar sus listas las personas en el embarcadero encontramos mi nombre y pude acceder al paseo.”

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9.Christmas in Oxford, the Cotswolds and Stratford with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 9 reviews · 11 hours · from $268

Spend Christmas Day touring Oxford, driving through the Cotswolds, and walking around Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon. A professional English-speaking guide leads the day, with a three-course Christmas lunch, wine or soft drink, and comfortable coach transport from Victoria.

“Ilene, the guide, is briliant. We had a great time.”

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10.Christmas Day Lunch Cruise on Sydney Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $105Top rated

Join Vagabond Cruises at noon in Walsh Bay for a three-hour Christmas lunch aboard the MV Vagabond Spirit. You get a seated seafood and carvery buffet, dessert, music, bon-bons, Santa, and harbour views from outdoor decks. Drinks cost extra, and the cruise returns to its starting point.

“Last year my family didn't make it on our booked Christmas cruise due to Covid so it was credited for this year. I rang up Vagabond in early November to rebook on the Princess. They were very busy, I think short staffed so the communication Read more”

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11.Alsatian Christmas lunch with Immersive wine cellar tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 2h 30m · from $81

Visit Zeyssolff Winery in Alsace for an English guided tour of its 1850 cellar, taste five wines, then enjoy a festive lunch with foie gras, Alsatian pie, local cheese, dessert, mulled wine, and gingerbread in a new immersive restaurant.

“Un'esperienza immersiva bellissima, a seguire ottimo pranzo alsaziano. Personale professionale e preparato, tutto ben organizzato, cibo ottimo, vini TOP!”

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