Graduation Party Venues in Nairobi and Along Thika Road

Graduation day is short. The ceremony is over by lunchtime, the gowns go back, and suddenly everyone is asking where the party is. If you book a venue early, that question has an easy answer.

This guide covers venues that list graduation parties among the events they host. Many sit along the Thika Road corridor, which is handy for families on that side of the city. We have also included a few options elsewhere in Nairobi. Each entry says only what we have confirmed about the venue, so call to check prices, dates and packages.

What to look for in a graduation venue

• Distance from the ceremony. Guests will drive straight from the graduation. The closer the venue, the more people stay for the party.
• Space for photos. Gowns, certificates and proud parents mean a lot of pictures. A garden with good backdrops helps.
• Catering. Decide early whether you want the venue to feed everyone or bring your own caterer.
• Parking. Graduation crowds come in many cars.
• A plan for rain. Ask about tents or a hall.

Along Thika Road

Sue Gardens, Garden Estate

Sue Gardens is a garden venue that hosts graduation parties, birthday parties, baby showers and shoots. It offers in-house catering, which keeps the planning simple.

Maline Gardens, Garden Estate

Maline Gardens has a lawn for outdoor celebrations and lists graduation parties, birthday parties and weddings. Ask about capacity and catering when you call.

Scilla Gardens, Kasarani

Scilla Gardens is one of the largest spaces on this list, taking up to 5,000 guests standing. It has in-house catering, parking, marquee space and accommodation, and alcohol is served. It suits a big joint celebration, such as several families or a class party.

Safaripark Hotel and Casino, Kasarani

Safaripark Hotel and Casino has a wide range of spaces, from rooms for 30 guests standing up to the Jambo Conference Centre for 1,200. Outdoors, Kumbayah Gardens takes up to 500 standing, Mamta Poolside up to 200 and Kigwa Waterfalls up to 100. There is in-house catering, parking, a generator and accommodation for relatives travelling in.

Eden Spot Gardens, Ruiru

Eden Spot Gardens has garden lawns, a covered reception area, a swimming pool and a play area. It provides in-house catering and parking. Alcohol is not served and you cannot bring your own, which suits a family-friendly party.

Imani Park Gardens, Ruiru

Imani Park Gardens has lawn fields and a seminar hall, so you have an indoor option if the weather turns. It lists graduation parties, private dinners and shoots, and there is parking.

Mystical Waterfront Garden, Ruiru

Mystical Waterfront Garden has a waterfront lawn and hosts graduation parties, birthday parties and corporate parties. Call to confirm capacity and catering.

Veska Garden, Thika

Further out, Veska Garden hosts graduation parties, birthday parties, baby showers and shoots. It has a pool and in-house catering.

Elsewhere in Nairobi

Natare Gardens, Karen

Natare Gardens takes up to 800 guests at a banquet. It offers in-house catering, tents and chairs, a PA system for speeches, a pool, parking and security.

Maryen Gardens, Redhill

Maryen Gardens gives you both indoor and outdoor space. The grass lawn takes up to 1,000 guests standing, and two halls each take 250 at a banquet, or 500 combined with a stage. You can use the in-house catering or bring outside caterers, and there is parking and security.

Planning the party

Book as soon as the date is out. Graduation dates cluster, and many families celebrate the same weekend. Popular venues go quickly.

Choose a format. A sit-down lunch, a garden buffet and an evening party each need different space. Decide first, then match the venue.

Keep speeches short. Two or three speakers is plenty: a parent, a mentor and the graduate. Give each a time limit.

Set up a photo spot. A simple backdrop with the graduate's name and course gives everyone a place for pictures.

Think about timing. If the ceremony runs late, guests will arrive tired and hungry. Have food ready soon after they arrive.

Mind the budget. List the big costs: venue, food, drinks, tent, sound, decor and photography. Get written quotes and agree what each one includes before you pay a deposit.

Questions to ask each venue

• Is our date free, and how long can we have the space?
• What is the capacity for the layout we want?
• Do we have to use your catering?
• Can we bring our own drinks, and is there a fee?
• Is there a tent or hall if it rains?
• How much parking is there?
• Can we bring our own sound system or DJ?

Find more options

See every venue that hosts this kind of event on our graduation party venue list, or search by area, such as venues in Ruiru or venues in Kasarani. Contact your shortlist directly and book early.