The best holiday party catering in Los Angeles (2026)
The office party, Christmas Eve dinner, the family open house on New Year's Day. All of these caterers take December events in Los Angeles, and every card spells out what they offer and what they are best for.
Updated October 27, 2026. 9 listings, checked October 26, 2026.
Enter your party date and we will count backward to the days you need to act. December weekends in LA go first, so the bigger the party, the earlier the first email goes out.
--Counting from today's date.
Oct
16Fri
Request quotesSend the date, headcount, address and budget to three caterers in the same email so the answers are easy to line up.
Oct
30Fri
Sign and pay the depositYour date is not held until the contract is signed and the deposit clears. Ask how much of it comes back if the party is cancelled.
Nov
6Fri
Get the company card or PO approvedFinance teams slow down in December. Line up who signs the invoice before the caterer needs the final payment.
Dec
1Tue
Confirm the final headcountThis is the number you pay for. Count the plus-ones and the people who RSVP late, then round up by a few.
Dec
4Fri
Send the dietary listList names next to each allergy or vegan meal so the caterer can label plates or set them aside.
Dec
4Fri
Pay the balanceAsk whether the gratuity is already in the service charge before you add a tip on top.Moved to Friday so it lands on a workday.
Dec
11Fri
Party dayKeep your phone on for the driver's call about an hour out.
These lead times are what we see for 31 to 100 guests in a Los Angeles December. They are typical, not rules. A Tuesday lunch for 20 can come together in a week, while a Saturday for 300 near the 15th can be gone by October.
Holiday party caterers in Los Angeles
1
Marbled LA
Best for: office holiday parties and Christmas Eve dinners
This guide is published by MEDZ, which owns Marbled LA.
Area: Glendale
Holiday party catering
Online holiday store
Drop-off catering
Caters office holiday parties and family holiday meals, and runs a seasonal online holiday store for ordering at home.
December office parties can be stationed or passed small plates, or a buffet, and families can order holiday food through the online store. Planning a party? Send the start and end time, the headcount and the venue with a quote request.
Ratings as of October 2026, copied from Marbled LA's Google and Yelp profiles. The links show every review.
From Marbled LA's Google reviews
“We had such a wonderful experience with Marbled LA! The food was absolutely delicious, beautifully presented, and everything was handled with so much care and professionalism.”
Office holiday parties cluster in the first three weeks of December, and Christmas Eve orders compete for the same kitchen time. For an office party, start calling caterers in October or early November. For a gathering at home, give yourself at least two weeks.
At a holiday party people stand, talk and drink. Stationed or passed small plates usually beat a plated meal, whether the party is on a downtown rooftop, in an Arts District warehouse or in the office itself. If it runs past dinnertime, guests will expect a real meal, so either serve a buffet or make the bites substantial. Give each caterer the start and end time, the headcount and the venue.
Rain, cold and the patio
December is the start of LA's rainy season, and inland evenings can drop into the 40s. For a patio or rooftop party, ask the venue about heaters and a rain plan, and ask the caterer whether hot food can hold outside or should be served indoors.
Feeding the family at home
Plenty of families cook one centerpiece and order the rest. Others order the whole meal and reheat. Ask what arrives hot and what arrives chilled, and confirm the pickup or delivery time around the holiday itself. Roasts, ham, braises and roasted vegetables reheat well. Fried food and delicate greens do not.
Quantities for a holiday buffet
For a dinner buffet, plan on about 6 to 8 ounces of cooked protein per adult across all the mains, a little more if there is only one. Two or three sides, a salad and bread round it out. Desserts disappear at holiday parties, so allow one to two pieces per guest.
Holding food safely
If food arrives chilled, plan oven space ahead; most home ovens fit about two full-size pans at a time. Reheat to 165°F inside, then keep hot food at 140°F or above. Perishable food should not sit out for more than two hours.
What it costs in Los Angeles
December demand changes the math. Holiday party catering is still priced per guest, but delivery, staff and the bar matter as much as the menu. Figures cover food, or food and service where noted.
December party catering in LA, per guest unless noted
What
Typical range
Drop-off holiday party spread
$25 to $50 per guest
Staffed party with stations or a buffet
$60 to $130 per guest
Open bar, if added
$35 to $75 per guest
Bartender at one LA bar company
$70 per hour, 4 hour minimum
Service charge
18 to 22 percent
Venue fees, rentals and a bar can add as much again as the food at an office party. Holiday dates also bring higher delivery fees or order minimums at some kitchens, and sales tax applies to the food, the rentals and any required service charge.
Marbled LA prices holiday parties from $15 per guest for passed appetizers and $3 each for stationary bites, or $24, $48 and $70 per guest for buffet menus, with delivery from $150, $2.50 per guest for disposables and 15 percent service.
Tips
Book in October for a December date, while caterers still have the staff and kitchen time to quote a full menu.
If the party runs through dinnertime, a buffet often costs less per guest than enough passed bites to make a real meal.
These are typical Los Angeles market ranges drawn from public price lists and cost guides, not quotes. Every caterer prices its own menus, so ask each one for a written quote.
The first three weeks of December go first. Book in October or early November for an office party.
How much food do we need for a holiday party?
About 6 to 8 ounces of cooked protein per adult plus sides, for a dinner buffet. A cocktail-style party needs a steady flow of substantial bites, and more of them if it runs over dinnertime.
How long can party food sit out?
Two hours at room temperature, at most, for anything perishable. Keep hot food at 140°F or above in warmers, and swap in fresh platters rather than leaving one out all night.
Do we need staff for an office holiday party?
For a large group, or any party with several hot dishes, yes, staff keep it running. A small team usually does fine with a well-labeled drop-off setup.
