47 FREE business networking events in December you need to know about

Free business events in London this December

• Fireside with Deepak Ravindran at LSE Generate (3 Dec at 6pm) forget chestnuts roasting by an open fire, why not a successful entrepreneur ruminating in a fireside chat? The founder of Oddbox shares lessons on running a mission-driven brand.
• SBN London December meet-up at Boisdale of Belgravia (3 Dec at 6pm) Are you a Scottish founder trapped in the English capital? Tartan entrepreneurs are invited to reflect on the year and welcome the festive season in this informal meetup.
• Black Culture Christmas Market at The Department Store, Brixton (7 Dec at 11am) a pop-up celebrating African Caribbean culture. Ecommerce website owners can meet traders, shop for gifts, and exchange cards with potential suppliers.
• Agency Coffee Club at Grind, Waterloo (9 Dec at 9:30am) hosted by Michael Murdoch (founder of The House and Story Cube) this event invites all London agency workers to down the timesheets and sign up for a coffee and a chinwag.
• Use the British Library for my Business at The British Library (9 Dec at 2pm) the British Library is chock full of resources for entrepreneurs. Sign up to this free workshop to learn about the tools, expertise, events and activities available.
• Born or Made in Brixton at Black Seed, Brixton (11 Dec at 8:30am) Karl Lokko, chairman of Europe’s first seed fund investing exclusively in Black founders, invites local business owners to come together, collaborate, and support each other.

Free business events in Newcastle this December

There’s still time for Geordie entrepreneurs to apply for Website Building Made Easy, a two day workshop at Village Hotel Newcastle starting on December 9.

Excitingly, this trip is entirely free to eligible SMEs in Newcastle, Northumberland or North Tyneside. Expert facilitators will be on hand to take you through the process of setting up a website to help you get up and trading in time for the new year!

Other free Newcastle business events in December include:

• Whey Ayes & Shine Networking at Komodo Digital (4 December at 8:30am) come along to this friendly Geordie networking event that will start your day off on the right foot. A 2-hour informal session catered for with free breakfast treats.
• PLATFORM at The Beacon of Light (6 Dec at 9am) a monthly event thrown in Sunderland and Newcastle, this month’s session will feature free refreshments and a very special guest speaker (no, it’s not Santa).
• Christmas Morning Networking at Michelangelo’s, Ryton (11 December at 9:30am) fancy a break from the city? Why not head outside the A1 for a relaxing tea or coffee with like-minded entrepreneurs. Christmas Jumpers are encouraged!
• Network+ Breakfast Networking at CookHouse Pub (17 Dec at 10am) buzzed from your coffee morning? Network+ will also host a digital marketing mastermind session at the pub (where else?).

Free business events in Leeds this December

• Technology & Social Justice at Platform (5 Dec at 8:30am) new technologies such as AI are rapidly changing the face of the legal sector. Join industry experts and academics for a panel discussion on social justice and how tech can help to deliver it.
• She Can Shine – Winter Showcase at Shine (5 December at 4pm) networking event or Christmas party? The She Can Shine programme is welcoming its female CEO members to share their journeys so far – friends and family welcome!

Free business events in Sheffield this December

Sheffielders should keep their eye out for a real Christmas cracker this month. SheffEx, the biggest event for founders in the Sheffield City Region, will return to the Crowne Plaza Royal Victoria Sheffield on Dec 4 at 9:30am. Christmas has come early!

Hundreds of local firms have already registered for a day filled with networking, workshops, and opportunities to grow your business. Highlights include the public speaking seminar at 10:30am to fix your stage fright and help you get your elevator pitch into shape.

Other free Sheffield business events in December include:

• Intro to HR and Business Management at Electric Works (4 Dec at 10am) want to grow your team next year? Find out everything you need to know about taking on your first employee in this in-person masterclass thrown by HR experts, Bhayani.
• Masterclass: Creative Enterprise Essentials at The Circle (10 Dec at 9:30am) led by Jodie Marshall, social entrepreneur, this half-day session will teach creative founders to turn their artistic ideas into fundamental business skills.

Free business events in Manchester this December

• Startup Activator Initiate: All About Funding at Circle Square (4 Dec at 1pm) an advisory session hosted by successful local entrepreneurs. Attendees will discover how to craft the perfect story to win over investors, with built-in networking time.
• Smiley Happy People Networking at Warrant House (10 Dec at 9:30am) a networking club for ‘inspirational’ founders. No entry fee required, you’re just asked to buy a drink from the bar to thank the venue (a difficult task, we’re sure).
• Christmas Quiz at GM Chamber (12 Dec at 9am) taking place on Christmas jumper day, this is a great chance for Greater Manchester Commerce members to show their best knitwear and meet with other local businesses.

Free business events in Liverpool this December

• Fintech for Good Forum at Avenue HQ Mann Island (3 Dec at 4pm) delivered in partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs, this event brings together experts and entrepreneurs on how FinTech can drive positive change for the local region.
• Movie Night at Brett Building, University of Liverpool (4 Dec at 5pm) green-eyed business owners (eco green, that is) are invited to join the Centre for Sustainable Business’ second Christmas Social! Settle in for a private screening of the acclaimed documentary ‘Responsible’, followed by an engaging panel discussion.
• Research and Knowledge Exchange at Redmonds Building (16 Dec at 8:15am) if your family is like mine, Christmas is the time for debate. Join Liverpool John Morre staff and business experts for an engaging discussion on how companies can help to address the major social, cultural, and political challenges of our time.
• Trek Therapy Wellbeing Walk at Scorton Picnic Site (29 Dec at 9:45am) running a firm can be lonely. If you fancy meeting new people this December (or just burning off those selection boxes) this Lancashire therapy walk is the perfect excursion.

Free business events in Birmingham this December

For Brummie business owners, the day that’s bigger than Christmas this month is the Midlands Business Network Expo on Dec 3 at 10am. Taking place at Aston Villa Football Club, the day promises learning, networking, and socialising in equal parts.

Other free Birmingham business events in December include:

• Leadership Matters at Aston Business School (3 Dec at 6:30pm) learn the essentials of how to manage people and cement strong leadership values at this free networking event, featuring a panel of local Midlands-based business experts.
• Celebration of Business Expo at The Eastside Rooms (11 Dec at 10am) an ‘immersive’ event that will celebrate the West Midlands’ most innovative companies. Start the festive season with inspiration by meeting the top business minds and topics that matter most, from global expansion to smart investing.
• Brummies Networking at Grosvenors Casino (10 Dec at 11am) is a monthly networking session for ‘stripped-back’ conversations fuelled by free teas and coffees. No need to impress; just turn up and meet with local, friendly founders.
• SUSTAIN at University College Birmingham (17 Dec at 10:30am) described by organisers as an ‘unconference’, this is an unconventional event for forward-thinking professionals who are passionate about sustainability that will be led by participants.

Free business events in Nottingham this December

• Monthly Meet Up at Papplewick & Linby Village Hall (2 Dec at 9:30am) not quite Nottingham but near enough for us, this networking group for women entrepreneurs is run by the (self-described) fabulous Cheryl Spittle, who says it is the antidote to traditional ‘pencil skirt’ networking. £5 fee for your first session, then free!
• Taming the Dragons at Dryden Enterprise (5 Dec at 3:30pm) Notts business owners won’t want to miss this one! A Dragon’s Den-style live pitching event where founders pitch to a panel of business angels for investment and support.

Free business events in Cambridge this December

• Cambridge HR Meetup at The Tram Depot (5 Dec at 5:30pm) a relaxed evening of networking for HR leaders, this event also opens up the mic at the end of the night, inviting entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas in a pressure-free zone.
• Techtonic Live – Cambridge at The Bradfield Centre (12 Dec at 5:30pm) hosted at Cambridge Science Park, Techtonic showcases the most innovative projects in the local area. Free for any entrepreneur working in tech, science, or innovation.

Free business events in Oxford this December

• Spotit Bootcamp at Business and Intellectual Property Centre Oxfordshire (3 Dec at 6pm) eight founders were invited to develop their company ideas as part of an eight week bootcamp. Wannabe entrepreneurs can attend their final presentation to see their inventions and gain valuable insight into early-stage business planning.
• Boosting Your Business Workshop at The Corn Exchange (5 Dec at 10am) enjoy a marketing masterclass to start; a collaborative discussion with the experts for your main meal; and advice on available funding as a sweet palette cleanser (and if we’ve made you hungry, a real lunch buffet is also provided).

Free business events in Bristol this December

• Create For Good at The Mount Without (3 Dec at 4pm) describes itself as an insightful gathering championing mission-led businesses in the creative industry. If you’re a founder based in Bristol and looking to make a difference, this one’s for you.
• South West Founders at Runway East (4 Dec at 6pm) Fancy a pizza-fuelled night of networking? South West Founders is a monthly gathering, and informal support group, for wannabe tech entrepreneurs. This month’s theme is ‘People and Health’.
• Audience with Phil Houghton at NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator (12 Dec at 4pm) get food for thought from Phil Houghton, successful founder of organic and ethical food chain, Better Food. Questions encouraged!

Free business events in Cardiff this December

• Women in Cyber at sbarc|spark, Maindy Road, Cardiff (3 Dec at 2pm), part of the Cyber Wales Group, this group will feature numerous experts in the cyber space, as well as light refreshments (laptop-free zone!)
• Smarter Meetings Expo at voco St David’s Cardiff (10 Dec at 9:15am) it’s not often there’s a networking event dedicated to Audio Visual (AV) expertise. Get ready for a day filled with AV Tech including interactive workshops, and networking opportunities, plus a bacon roll in the morning and a free lunch at 12pm.
• RSA Cardiff at sbarc|spark, Maindy Road, Cardiff (11 Dec at 6pm) stave off the winter blues by joining the Royal Society of Arts for some festive drinks, and rub shoulders with your fellow creatives and changemakers.

Free business events in Edinburgh this December

• Unfiltered Edinburgh at CodeBase Edinburgh (4 Dec at 11:30am) a deliberately unorganised opportunity to connect with tech founders in Edinburgh. Run by CodeBase, founders can drop-in for a casual chat, then set up at a coworking desk.
• ConnectED Business Networking at Hotel Indigo Edinburgh (17 Dec at 11am) a long-standing business group in Edinburgh for networking in a relaxed setting. Guest speakers included, but having a natter with your neighbour is the real incentive!
• Tech the Halls at CodeBase Edinburgh (19 Dec at 5:30pm) close out 2024 in style at CodeBase’s festive social! Expect crafts, games, music, and dancing. Come for as long as your schedule permits, leave as late as your new business pals will let you.

Free business events in Glasgow this December

• Unfiltered Glasgow at Barclays Eagle Labs (4 Dec at 8:30am) like its sister event in Edinburgh, this event is an informal coffee morning for local business owners to be completely honest about their venture. The only thing that’s filtered is the coffee.
• 8 Business Networking Coffee Morning at The Alchemist (11 Dec at 9:30am) the final meet-up of 2024 for the best business/cocktail club in Glasgow. If you’re visiting the 8 team for the first time this December, you’ll also be able to attend for free!
• Small 99’s People, Planet, Pint™ at Malones Irish Bar (12 Dec at 6pm) like drinking, hate climate change? People, Planet, Pint is a casual networking club for entrepreneurs in Glasgow who like a stiff one and care about sustainability.