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

Viva Blackpool turns Christmas dinner into a full stage party, with doors opening at 6pm and the main show starting around 8pm. The evening mixes stand-up comedy, singers, dancers, and singalong songs, with host Leye D Johns leading the fun.

I like the simple all-under-one-roof setup, and I like the broad musical mix, from current chart songs to older favourites. The main thing to check is what your booking includes: the listed ticket is for an over-16s seat, while food and drinks may be separate or part of a different package.

Key points

• Dinner before the curtain: Doors open at 6pm, giving you time for food, drinks, and pre-show entertainment.
• A proper party format: The show combines comedy, singing, dancing, Christmas music, and popular party songs.
• Leye D Johns hosts: He is described as the compere, singer, dancer, and comedian who drives the evening.
• Good for mixed-age adult groups: People from their late twenties to their nineties have enjoyed the format, but no one under 16 is admitted.
• Food quality can vary: Many reports praise the meal, but one serious complaint described a very slow service and poorly cooked dishes.
• Allow more than three hours: The advertised duration is about three hours, though a dinner, show, and possible disco can make the whole night much longer.

A Christmas party that starts before the show

Viva’s Christmas night is not just a seat in a theatre for a seasonal performance. It is built as a party night, beginning when the doors open at 6pm. You can settle in, order drinks, eat if your package includes dinner, and get into the festive mood before the curtain rises at roughly 8pm.

That timing matters. You are not being rushed straight from the street into a dark auditorium. The early part of the evening gives work groups, friends, and family parties time to arrive and get seated together. It also means you should treat this as an evening event rather than a short theatre visit.

The show itself is reported to run for about two and a half hours. The formal tour duration is listed as approximately three hours, but some versions of the evening have included a meal, the show, and a disco afterward. For planning purposes, I would leave the rest of your night open. A Christmas party has a way of ignoring the timetable.

What happens at Viva Blackpool

There is one main stop: Viva Blackpool. That makes the evening easy to follow. You arrive at the venue, take your seat, and spend the night in the same building rather than moving between a restaurant and a theatre.

The doors open at 6pm for dinner, drinks, and the pre-show build-up. The listed ticket includes admission and an over-16s seat, but alcoholic drinks are not included. You can buy them from the bars or order through waiter service during the evening.

Food needs a little care when booking. The event description presents the night as a Christmas party with dinner before the show, and several accounts describe a three-course meal. At the same time, the inclusions specifically identify the product as a seat ticket only. That suggests different ticket types or packages may be in use. Check the exact option you are paying for before assuming dinner is included.

At around 8pm, the curtain goes up. The format includes Christmas songs, familiar party numbers, comedy, singers, and dancers. It is made for audience participation rather than quiet concentration. You can expect plenty of singing along and a room that becomes more animated as the night progresses.

Leye D Johns and the stage energy

The host is a major part of the experience. Leye D Johns is described as the compere, singer, dancer, and comedian, so his role is much bigger than simply introducing the next act. He helps hold the evening together and keeps the tone light and quick.

That matters in a party show. The songs and costumes may provide the colour, but the host controls the pace between numbers. A strong compere can make a large room feel involved. Here, the comedy and audience interaction appear to be central rather than filler between musical sets.

The musical range should suit a mixed group. The program includes Christmas numbers, modern chart songs, older favourites, and party songs designed for a singalong. If your group has different tastes, that variety is useful. Nobody needs to love every number, since the show keeps changing its mood and style.

The production also involves frequent costume changes and plenty of movement on stage. You are getting a busy variety show, not a small acoustic concert. If you prefer a quiet, serious performance, this may feel loud and over the top. If your aim is to laugh, sing, and join in with a group, that is exactly the point.

The meal: useful, but check the package

Food is the least consistent part of the information available, so I would make it a booking question rather than an assumption. Several accounts describe a good or beautiful three-course meal, with one Christmas party account calling the food great and pairing it with the Jingle Bells Ball show.

Another account describes a very different experience: a meal that took around two and a half hours from starter to dessert, soup compared unfavourably to curry sauce, hard vegetables, an unsatisfactory Yorkshire pudding, and no salt, pepper, or side sauce available. The same person reported becoming seriously unwell afterward.

I cannot tell you which menu or service conditions applied on that night. The practical lesson is simpler: if the meal is important to you, confirm exactly what is included, ask about the menu if possible, and allow for the possibility that dinner service may affect the evening’s timing.

A slow meal can push the show later or make the pre-show period feel long. A well-run meal, on the other hand, gives the night a proper Christmas-party feel and saves you from arranging dinner elsewhere. The food may be good value when included in a larger package, but it is not wise to judge the ticket price without knowing whether you are buying the seat only or a dinner-and-show option.

What the £25 or $31.58 price means

The listed price is $31.58 per person, roughly £25 at the time of writing, though currency values change. On its own, that is a reasonable price for a live Christmas show if you mainly want the performance and a seat.

The value improves for people who want a ready-made group night. You do not need to find a restaurant, book a separate comedy show, and then work out where to continue afterward. Dinner, stage entertainment, drinks, and the possibility of a disco are all gathered in one place, although the exact package needs checking.

The value is less clear if you expect a full meal, drinks, and a late-night party to be included automatically. The listed inclusion is a seat ticket, and alcoholic drinks cost extra. Think of the advertised price as the entry point, not necessarily the final spend.

For a work Christmas event, the convenience can be worth more than squeezing every pound from the ticket. Someone else handles the entertainment, the room, and the basic schedule. You can focus on your group. For a couple seeking an intimate seasonal theatre evening, the party format may feel less appealing.

Who will enjoy this Christmas show

This is best for adults who like group entertainment. It works particularly well for work parties, friends visiting Blackpool, and families with older teenagers and adults who enjoy comedy and singalong music.

The age range can be broad. A group described as ranging from 28 to 90 enjoyed the event, and another account mentioned a 90-year-old joining in. That tells you something useful about the format: it does not depend on one narrow musical taste or a youthful nightclub atmosphere.

The over-16 rule is firm. No one under 16 can attend this show, so it is not suitable for a family outing with young children. Service animals are allowed, and the venue is near public transport. Most people can take part, but the available information does not provide detailed seating or step-free access information, so contact Viva Blackpool if you have specific access needs.

I would also recommend it to anyone who enjoys a strong host. Leye D Johns is repeatedly singled out in the available comments for his many roles on stage. The evening relies on personality as much as songs, which is why it can work even when the musical numbers are not all to your taste.

Getting the timing right

The doors open at 6pm, and the show begins at about 8pm. That two-hour lead-in is useful, but do not treat it as dead time. It is intended for dinner, drinks, and the party atmosphere to build.

If you are dining before the show, arrive with enough time to get settled. A late arrival could mean missing part of the meal or having to join the room while the pre-show activity is already under way. The ticket is mobile, so you can keep it on your phone rather than collecting a paper ticket.

The formal duration is approximately three hours, but you should plan with some flexibility. The show itself may last around two and a half hours, and a dinner or disco can extend the evening. One account describes a total night of about six hours, including a three-course dinner, the show, and a disco.

That longer version is good news if you want a full night out. It is less helpful if you have an early train or another booking. Blackpool is easy to enjoy at a relaxed pace, so I would avoid scheduling anything tightly after the show.

Drinks and the party atmosphere

Alcohol is available from the bars or through waiter service, but it is not included in the seat ticket. This gives you a choice: buy drinks as you go, or keep spending down and enjoy the stage program without adding much to the bill.

Waiter service can be convenient during dinner and the show, but it may also mean you pay more for the convenience. If you are attending with a work group, decide in advance how drinks will be handled. A shared bill can become its own Christmas drama.

The room is designed for participation. You should expect people to sing along, laugh loudly, and respond to the host. The atmosphere is part of the product, not a side effect. If you like reserved theatre etiquette, sit back and enjoy the show from the edge of the party. If you want to join in, the format gives you plenty of chances.

The main strengths and weaknesses

The biggest strength is the range of entertainment packed into one evening. You get comedy, singers, dancers, Christmas songs, modern music, older favourites, and party numbers. That variety helps a group stay engaged, even when everyone has different tastes.

The second strength is the host-led energy. Leye D Johns is not just a name on the bill. His role across comedy, singing, dancing, and presenting gives the show a clear centre.

Staff service is another strong point in many accounts. The team is described as helpful, friendly, and willing to assist, with one waiter named Tom receiving a specific mention for his warm service. That kind of personal attention can make a busy party night feel easier.

The weak point is consistency around food and timing. Most of the available comments about the meal are positive, but the severe negative account cannot be ignored. If you mainly want the show, consider the meal an extra part of the package rather than the reason to book.

Cancellation and practical booking notes

You receive confirmation when booking, and free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancel later than that and you will not receive a refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, with all cut-off times based on local time.

The experience is near public transportation, which helps if you are planning a festive night without driving. The ticket is mobile, and most people can participate. Remember that the show is for over-16s only.

Before paying, check four things: whether your chosen option includes dinner, the seating arrangement, the start date and time, and the likely end time. Those details matter more here than they would for a short daytime attraction.

Should you book Viva’s Christmas party show?

Book it if you want a lively, low-effort Christmas night with a mixed group. The comedy, singers, dancers, broad music selection, and host Leye D Johns give you plenty of entertainment for the price of the basic seat ticket.

I would be more cautious if you are booking mainly for a gourmet meal or need the evening to finish at an exact time. Confirm the food package, allow extra time, and budget separately for drinks. For an adult work party or a festive night in Blackpool, this is a practical choice with strong entertainment value. Just buy the right package and arrive ready to join the party.

FAQ

Where does Viva’s Big Christmas Show Night Out take place?

It takes place at Viva Blackpool in Blackpool, England.

What time do the doors open?

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

What time does the show begin?

The curtain goes up at approximately 8pm.

How long does the experience last?

The listed duration is approximately three hours. A dinner, show, and possible disco can make the full evening longer.

What is included in the ticket?

The listed inclusion is an over-16s seat ticket with admission to the show.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

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

Can children attend?

No. This show is for people aged 16 and over, and no under-16s are admitted.

Is the ticket mobile?

Yes. The experience uses a mobile ticket.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted, and the amount paid will not be refunded.