Viva’s Big Christmas Show Night Out! Christmas’s Party Show

Blackpool’s Viva turns a Christmas night out into a full stage party, with doors opening at 6pm and the main show starting around 8pm. You can settle in for dinner and drinks before a lively mix of comedy, singers, dancers, modern chart songs, classic numbers, and festive singalongs.

I like the all-under-one-roof format, which removes the need to move between a restaurant and a theatre. I also like the broad age appeal: groups ranging from people in their twenties to a 90-year-old have enjoyed the mix. The main caution is the meal. Food service can be slow or uneven, and the basic ticket information lists a seat ticket rather than a meal as included.

Key points at a glance

• Doors open at 6pm: Arrive early for dinner, drinks, and the pre-show build-up before the curtain rises at about 8pm.
• Host Leye D Johns: The evening relies heavily on his comedy, singing, dancing, and audience energy.
• A proper party show: Expect Christmas songs, older favourites, modern hits, stand-up comedy, singers, and dancers.
• Over-16s only: This is aimed at adult Christmas parties, work groups, and friends rather than families with young children.
• Drinks cost extra: Alcohol is available from the bars or through waiter service during the evening.
• Potentially more than three hours: The advertised experience lasts about three hours, though the night can continue with a disco.

A Christmas party built around the stage

Viva Blackpool is not offering a quiet seasonal concert. This is a loud, cheerful Christmas party night designed to get a whole room laughing, singing, and joining in.

The evening begins before the main performance. Doors open at 6pm, giving you time to arrive, find your seat, order drinks, and take part in the pre-show atmosphere. The curtain goes up at roughly 8pm. That gap matters, especially if you are booking for a work group. You can meet at the venue and spend the whole night there instead of arranging dinner and a show separately.

The performance itself is a mixture of festive music, popular songs, comedy, and dance numbers. The format is broad rather than highbrow. One moment may be a Christmas favourite, followed by a familiar chart song, a comic routine, or a costume change. If your group wants a polished theatre production with a serious plot, this is not that kind of evening. If you want a shared party with plenty of noise and easy singalongs, it fits well.

The show has been associated with the Jingle Bells Ball format, and the main performance can run for around two and a half hours. The listed duration is approximately three hours, but a full night may last longer if the disco continues after the stage show. Check the exact schedule when booking, since the event can feel more like a Christmas party package than a fixed theatre slot.

Leye D Johns keeps the room moving

The host is a major part of the experience. Leye D Johns takes on the roles of compere, comedian, singer, and dancer, giving the night a strong central personality.

That matters because a party show needs more than good songs. The host links the different acts, keeps the pace up, and encourages the audience to respond. You should expect direct audience interaction and a playful tone rather than a formal presentation.

The comedy appears to be one of the most dependable parts of the night. The show is meant to be funny in a broad, accessible way, making it suitable for a mixed group that may not agree on music. It is a good choice for a staff Christmas event because people can enjoy the jokes even if they are not keen singers or dancers.

The main trade-off is personal taste. The comedy and audience participation are central, so anyone who prefers to watch quietly may find the evening too full-on. For a party group, that energy is usually the point.

What happens before the curtain

The 6pm opening gives you a useful cushion. You are not rushing from work straight into a performance, and you have time to gather a group that may arrive at different times.

Dinner is part of the event format, but the basic ticket information describes the admission as an over-16 seat ticket only. That distinction is important. Do not assume that the meal is included in the $31.58 price unless your chosen booking option clearly says so.

Food service has produced mixed results. Some diners have had a three-course meal and considered it a strong part of the evening. Others have found the service very slow, with one meal taking around two and a half hours from starter to dessert. That is a long time if you are eager to see the show or have limited patience for a formal Christmas dinner.

There have also been complaints about food quality, including hard vegetables and Yorkshire pudding, a soup described as tasting like curry sauce, and a lack of salt, pepper, or side sauce. One particularly serious account described becoming unwell after eating. That is not enough to predict your own meal, but it is a reason to keep your expectations sensible and confirm exactly what is included.

If the meal is optional in your booking, I would compare the cost and timing before adding it. The ticket-only option may suit you if your priority is the entertainment. If you want the traditional work-party dinner, allow plenty of time and expect the meal to be part of the evening rather than a quick pre-show bite.

A stage show with broad musical appeal

The musical programme aims for something for everyone. You can expect Christmas songs alongside older favourites and modern chart material. The mix helps a group avoid the common problem of a themed show that appeals to only one generation.

The music is built for participation. This is not mainly a sit-down listening experience. You may find yourself singing along to familiar choruses, clapping, or joining in with the party mood around you.

The singers and dancers are given plenty to do, and the production includes frequent costume changes. That constant movement helps the show feel busy and generous. You are not watching one performer carry the entire night. Instead, the stage keeps changing from comedy to song, dance, and seasonal spectacle.

The best reason to book is the shared response it creates. A group of colleagues or friends can enjoy the same jokes and choruses even if they have different musical tastes. The weakest reason to book would be a desire for subtle theatre or a carefully paced concert. Viva’s Christmas show is intentionally bigger, brighter, and more relaxed than that.

Dinner, bars, and the cost of the night

At $31.58 per person, the seat-only price is reasonable for a roughly three-hour stage event, especially if you mainly want a Christmas party and not a full restaurant package. The value becomes stronger if the show runs for around two and a half hours and the disco continues afterward.

Drinks are not included. Alcoholic drinks can be bought from the bars or ordered through waiter service during the evening. That gives you flexibility, but it also makes the final bill harder to predict. A low ticket price can become a much larger night out once you add dinner, drinks, and any post-show spending.

I would set a simple budget before arriving. Decide whether you want a full meal, how many drinks you expect to buy, and whether you are happy to pay for waiter service. Groups booking for a workplace event should confirm the meal arrangement in advance, since the difference between a seat-only booking and a dinner package is significant.

The experience offers good value for people who want entertainment in one place. It is less attractive if you are only interested in a short show and plan to avoid the party atmosphere, food, and drinks.

Who will enjoy Viva’s Christmas show

This suits:

• Work Christmas parties and team nights out
• Friends who enjoy comedy and singalongs
• Mixed-age adult groups
• Visitors who want a festive evening without changing venues
• People who like a lively show more than a formal concert
• Groups looking for an over-16 event in Blackpool

The wide age range is one of the useful strengths here. The material is not built around one decade or one style of music, so a group can include younger adults, older relatives, and colleagues with different tastes.

It is less suitable for children, since nobody under 16 is admitted. It may also disappoint you if you dislike audience participation, loud party entertainment, or a show that mixes several styles rather than following one clear theme.

People with food allergies, dietary restrictions, or particular concerns about the meal should ask the venue for current details before booking. The supplied information does not give a menu or dietary policy, so you should not rely on assumptions.

Getting there and handling the evening

Viva Blackpool is near public transport, which is helpful if you are attending with a group and do not want to coordinate several cars. The experience uses a mobile ticket, so keep your booking available on your phone when you arrive.

The venue allows service animals, and most people can take part. No special fitness level is stated, but the evening involves sitting through a meal and a long stage performance, with the possibility of staying on for a disco.

For the smoothest night, I would arrive close to the 6pm door time rather than turning up just before 8pm. Early arrival gives you time to find your seat, sort out drinks, and avoid making a group search for one another in the busiest part of the evening.

Remember that the show itself may not be the whole night. One account describes a three-course dinner, the performance, and a disco lasting about six hours in total. That may reflect a particular package or event schedule, so treat it as a possibility rather than a fixed promise. If you need a taxi or train at a set time, check the finish time carefully.

The main strengths and the real drawbacks

The strongest part is the combination of entertainment styles. Comedy, singers, dancers, Christmas music, and popular songs keep the evening moving. The host adds personality, while the wide music selection lets different generations take part.

The second strength is convenience. Dinner, drinks, stage entertainment, and possibly a disco all happen at Viva Blackpool. You do not have to plan a separate restaurant booking or cross town after the show.

The main weakness is inconsistency around food and service. Some diners have found the meal enjoyable and the staff helpful. Others have faced long waits and poor dishes. Since food may not be included in the basic seat ticket, you can reduce your risk by checking the package details and deciding if dinner is essential.

The other consideration is the tone. This is a party show, not a quiet seasonal performance. The room is meant to laugh, sing, and take part. That makes it a strong pick for an office night out, but not for someone seeking a calm evening of traditional music.

Should you book Viva’s Christmas party show?

Book it if you want an adult Christmas night with comedy, familiar songs, singers, dancers, and plenty of audience participation. The $31.58 seat price offers fair value for a long live show, and the option to stay for a disco can turn it into a full evening.

Before paying, confirm whether your chosen rate includes dinner. If it does, ask about the menu and timing. If it does not, the seat-only ticket may be the smarter choice if the entertainment is your priority.

I would recommend Viva Blackpool for work groups, friends, and mixed-age adult parties that want to laugh and sing together. I would skip it if you dislike loud party shows, need a guaranteed fast meal, or want a precise and quiet theatre experience.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

FAQ

What time do the doors open?

Doors open at 6pm for dinner, drinks, and the pre-show build-up.

What time does the Christmas show begin?

The curtain goes up at approximately 8pm.

How long does the experience last?

The listed duration is approximately three hours. The stage show itself may run for around two and a half hours, and the evening can continue with a disco.

Is dinner included in the ticket price?

The basic admission is described as an over-16 seat ticket only. Dinner is part of the evening format, but you should confirm whether it is included in your specific booking option.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic drinks are available to buy from the bars or through waiter service during the evening.

Can children attend?

No. This Christmas show is for people aged 16 and over.

Can I cancel my booking for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.