The death of the Christmas party: Revellers are choosing to stay at home as festive season hits full swing, experts say with streets of UK quieter after booze-fuelled antics of previous years
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It used to be one of the busiest days of the year - for partygoers at least. But now Mad Friday - the last Friday before Christmas - is far from the traditional festive blowout and is no longer worthy of its name. Industry experts have admitted there had been a serious decrease in footfall this year, as prices have increased and more people are feeling strapped for cash.
![[2024: It is usually a time for pubs and bars to rake in cash, but the streets of Cardiff were quieter last week]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/23/15/93431153-14221899-image-a-58_1734969351023.jpg)
Instead, revellers are choosing to stay at home leaving the streets quieter than they have ever been in recent years. Hospitality bosses say businesses are barely breaking even - and that's before a raft of changes from Labour's tax raid Budget come into play from April.
![[2024: Revellers get into the festive spirit in Leeds last week, but there weren't many others around]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/23/17/93435255-14221899-image-a-3_1734975942071.jpg)
Pubs and bars are now fighting for survival as the threat of closure looms over them this Christmas. In years gone, revellers in fancy dress have packed out pubs and bars across the country. But landlords have even admitted that Mad Friday seems to have lost its 'Mad' title this year.
![[2024: Three mates in their Christmas jumpers enjoy a night out on the quiet streets of Newcastle last week]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/23/17/93435197-14221899-image-m-12_1734976182311.jpg)
2024: A pair of revellers are seen enjoying a night out in Newcastle on Mad Friday, but it was notably quieter than usual across the coutry. 2024: It is usually a time for pubs and bars to rake in cash, but the streets of Cardiff were quieter last week. 2024: Revellers get into the festive spirit in Leeds last week, but there weren't many others around.
![[2024: A pair of partygoers pose for a photo on a quiet street in Newcastle last week]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/23/18/93436069-14221899-image-m-41_1734977465045.jpg)
2024: Three mates in their Christmas jumpers enjoy a night out on the quiet streets of Newcastle last week. Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, told MailOnline: 'Without a doubt, people are feeling more cautious in terms of the economics - venues still aren't at the levels they were pre-pandemic.
![[2022: A group of friends all dressed up in Santa Claus outfits make the most of Mad Friday]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/23/15/93431127-14221899-image-a-60_1734969361814.jpg)
