x

Find a Venue

Award Ceremony Venues in London

Find and book the best venue for an awards ceremony in London

Partner logos
Below you will find our hand-picked selection of award ceremony venues that are currently available for hire in London. Amongst them, you can expect to find a vast range of different spaces, with venues suited to everything from impressive charity dinners to an end of year AGM, and from annual music award ceremonies to formal awards dinners: no matter the subject of the ceremony or the desired style and ambience you wish to bring to the occasion, we have the right venue for you. Our venues include some of the most prestigious award ceremony spaces that the capital has to offer, taken from the length and breadth of the city and helping you on your way to planning an unforgettable occasion for all, whether it be a one-off or a yearly event.

Award Ceremony Venues London: The Ultimate 2026 Corporate Awards Guide


Why London remains #1 for corporate award ceremonies

London has kept its crown as Europe’s top meetings & events destination in Cvent’s 2024 and 2025 rankings—one of the strongest trust signals you can cite to your stakeholders when you’re pitching a London awards night. 

The UK events industry itself is booming, valued at ~£61.65bn according to the 2024 UK Events Report, with business events a major slice of that pie—meaning high-quality suppliers, talent and infrastructure are on tap across the capital. 


2026 event trends to bake into your awards plan

1. Sustainability as standard

Expect measurable carbon reporting, lower-waste menus, and venues publishing net-zero roadmaps. ExCeL London’s latest sustainability report (net zero by 2045 across the estate) reflects the direction of travel across major London venues. Join sector initiatives (e.g., Net Zero Carbon Events) and capture transport and catering emissions in your post-event report. 

2. Hybrid reach, inclusive access

High-reliability livestreams are normal now, but 2025 tech upgrades go further: mobile captioning & real-time translation via QR (no app download) make awards more accessible for global teams. 

3. AI-powered personalisation

Registration tools that tailor agendas, content and seating to guests’ interests are mainstream in 2025—use them to assign presenter walk-ups, sequence categories, or seat VIPs strategically. 

4. Immersive staging (LED/projection) without the bloat

LED canvases and projection mapping remain show-stoppers; prioritise sightlines + sound first, then layer visual effects for impact per pound.


How to choose the right award ceremony venue (fast checklist)

• Capacity & layout: Match seated-dinner capacities to your guest list and stage footprint (winners’ route, steps both sides if possible). Pillar-free rooms or theatres with tiered seating maximise sightlines. The Peacock Theatre offers tiered seating for up to 1,000 with integrated AV—ideal for slick, TV-style ceremonies. 

• Production & tech: Ask for the AV spec sheet (power, rigging points, screen positions, audio plan). For hybrid, confirm redundant connectivity.

• Location & access: Prioritise Tube/rail proximity and load-in simplicity (freight lift dimensions, overnight builds).

• Sustainability: Request each venue’s latest sustainability policy and carbon reporting options (e.g., energy mix, waste streams). 

• Run-of-show support: Dedicated event manager, rehearsal access, showcaller position, trophy table & winner flow.

• Budget clarity: What’s included in the hire fee (furniture, base lighting, lectern mics, security, cloakroom)? Sample, taste and time your menu service.


Best areas in London for awards (and what they’re great for)

Westminster & St James’s (Classic prestige)

Home to domed, historic halls and top hotels. Central Hall Westminster scales to 2,400 in the Great Hall—grand architecture with genuine broadcast presence 

The City (heritage meets corporate polish)

Livery halls and medieval grandeur, perfect for black-tie dinners. Guildhall’s Great Hall handles ~628 seated / 900 reception, a blockbuster backdrop for tiered categories and VIP hosting. 

South Bank (iconic show venues)

For step-and-repeat photo ops and premieres energy: Royal Festival Hall seats ~2,500, with huge foyers for red carpets and sponsor activations. Queen Elizabeth Hall (~900 seats) covers mid-scale shows. 

Canary Wharf & Docklands (sleek, purpose-built)

Superb transport (Jubilee, DLR, Elizabeth line) and modern infrastructure. The Pelligon (the refurbished East Wintergarden) is a striking, glass-domed blank canvas under a 27m arch—perfect for brandable, high-tech sets. 

West End (theatrical sparkle)

Turn a theatre into your awards stage: Peacock Theatre (up to 1,000 tiered) delivers that spotlight-on-the-winner moment with turnkey AV.


What does it cost in 2026? (realistic ranges)

• Venue hire: A broad market, but as a guide, London awards venues average ~£3.7k/day (with wide variation by size/location). Top-tier spaces (arenas, mega-pavilions) can be £20k–£30k+ per event day (e.g., Evolution London); Indigo at The O2 guide price shows ~£20.5k/day in published rate cards. 

• Catering (3-course dinner): Typical £80–£150+ per head in London hotels/venues (exclusive wines, choice menus, and dietary complexity push higher). 

• AV & show production: Highly variable. Many theatres/modern venues include robust in-house packages; custom LED sets, camera crews and IMAG quickly add zeros. (Tip: lock a rehearsal in your contract; avoid paying for last-minute fixes.)

• Host & entertainment: From an experienced MC to big-name talent—fees vary widely; factor hospitality and tech riders.

• Trophies, photo/video, branding: Keep a line for on-the-night capture and next-day social cutdowns.

Smart save: If you’re flexible on dates, mid-week or off-peak months reduce hire rates; bundle catering + AV where it makes sense; reserve lighting for high-impact moments and invest first in clear audio and screen visibility—the two drivers of guest satisfaction.


Curated shortlist: Award ceremony venues in London (by size & style)

Exceptional for 150–300 guests (seated):

• BMA House – Great Hall (Bloomsbury): Elegant, period features; awards-friendly stage access. ~200 on rounds. 

• IET London: Savoy Place (Embankment): Thames views + broadcast-quality AV across multiple rooms; polished hybrid options. 

Standout for 300–600 guests:

• 8 Northumberland Avenue – Ballroom (Trafalgar Square): Central, Grade II glamour with serious power + rigging and modern lighting. Indicative capacities: ~440–500 dinner / 700 reception (see official cap chart for layouts). 

• The Brewery – Porter Tun (City): Timber-roof wow factor; vast flat floor for stage builds and camera runs; up to ~900 seated / 1,000 standing depending on format. 

Large-format showcases (600–1,200+):

• Guildhall – Great Hall (City): Medieval spectacle; ~628 dinner / 900 reception. Great for sponsor-heavy premium nights. 

• Peacock Theatre (West End): Up to 1,000 tiered seats, integrated AV; perfect for a fast-paced stage show. 

• Royal Festival Hall (South Bank): The “world stage” look—~2,500 seats and ample red-carpet foyer space. 

• The Pelligon (Canary Wharf): Refurbished glass icon formerly East Wintergarden; premium blank canvas for immersive production. 

• Central Hall Westminster – Great Hall: Up to 2,400 with epic dome—think television-grade award shows and AGMs. 

Why this beats typical “listings” pages: we pair hard capacities and trustworthy sources with format-specific guidance (tiered theatre vs flat-floor gala), sightline notes, and production context—so you can shortlist faster and brief suppliers with confidence.


A proven planning timeline (cut, paste, adapt)

• 9–12 months out: Lock venue & date (prime autumn Thursdays go early). Begin AV concept + sustainability plan (data you’ll capture; vendor policies).

• 4–6 months: Confirm MC/entertainment. Menu tasting + service timings. Draft running order and trophy flow.

• 4–8 weeks: Content lock (scripts, name slides, VT packages). Logistics call with venue + all suppliers (doors, load-in, power, signal paths, seating plans).

• Show week: Rehearsal with MC/presenters. Showcaller final cues. Publish accessibility info (step-free routes, captioning/translation access).

• On the night: Tight showcalling and brisk pacing (target 90–120 minutes for the core ceremony).

• +48 hours: Post-event social cut + thank-yous; issue sustainability/event impact summary.

(For real-world timings and dress code norms, note how major London awards nights run: Reception ~18:30; Dinner ~19:00–19:30; After-party from ~22:30; Dress code: Black Tie.) 




READ MORE

FAQs Award Ceremony Venues in London


London is home to some of the best award ceremony venues in the UK, giving you plenty of choice if you’re planning the ultimate awards ceremony, For example, if you’re specifically looking for a large venue for an awards ceremony, you’re sure to find a place that will accommodate a large number of guests. And, when it comes to the location of the venue, that depends entirely on how accessible the venue is for you and your guests. Whilst London has plenty of award venues to choose from, it’s usually advisable to find somewhere Central or with good transport links, particularly if you have a large guestlist. .
What should be considered a great venue for an award ceremony depends entirely on what you’re after. London is lucky enough to have a lot of venues that vary in size, style and theme. Choose from modern venues that would suit an award ceremony layout, or maybe something more traditional.
The typical layout seating arrangement for an award ceremony is banquet style. This means circular tables all facing towards the stage area, where the awards will be presented. This is why there are particular types of venues used for award ceremonies.
London has popular award ceremony venues dotted all over – North London, South London, West and East. Some of the most popular award ceremony venues in London include Banking Hall, Goodenough College, Banqueting Hall and VUK Banqueting Suite – to name a few. Browse through our vast selection of event spaces for award ceremonies, big or small.
When it comes to choosing venues for awards ceremonies in London, you should consider a few things. Perhaps the biggest factor to consider is the venue. Ideally, your chosen venue will have a large stage area, as well as all the other facilities required to make your awards ceremony run smoothly. Think about how you will brand your event; the venue should offer you the opportunity to fully brand the ceremony. The location of your venue matters too – are there good transport links for your guests? Once that’s all started, you should start to think about the event catering and entertainment.
Northumberland Avenue is renowned for being a great area to find the perfect venue for award ceremonies (and honestly, Christmas parties, too). Covent Garden boasts a range of stylish venues and is very central, whereas the Connaught Rooms provide an elegant and historic atmosphere. For large-scale events, the OVO Arena Wembley is a prominent choice, accommodating many guests. Moorgate Place features impressive venues with extensive facilities and amenities, essential for a successful award ceremony. Liverpool Street offers a mix of modern and classic venues, suitable for various types of award ceremonies, whereas London Bridge provides access to unique locations with excellent transport links. Finally, West London and Lancaster Gate both offer luxurious hotels and iconic theatres, ensuring the perfect venue for your special event. We also love the area around Westminster for whole venue hire for the perfect awards event.
Why use Canvas to find awards ceremony venues in London?
Exclusive hidden gem venues, free to use, direct contact and best price guaranteed
Exclusive Venues
We boast a tailored selection of venues in London. Each venue brings something different to the table and its own wow-factor
Free to use
No booking or transaction fees EVER
Direct Contact
Your enquiries go straight to the venues, ensuring you'll be contacted as quickly as possible.
Best Price Guaranteed
The price you see are set by the venue, exactly what you'd get if you contacted them directly.
Hidden Gems
Discover local spaces - You may be surprised at what's hidden around the corner.
We Love London
We're super passionate about our city, our venues and helping create unforgettable events.
Mauve Wishlist icon in circle
Cross icon

Woohoo!

You've started a wishlist

Send an enquiry to more than a venue at once

  • Check icon contact multiple venues simultaneously
  • Check icon quick, easy and free
  • Check icon keep track of your favourite spaces