50+ corporate holiday party ideas
50+ corporate holiday party ideas
Riley Leight · 7/18/2023
We’ve collected ideas on everything you need for an amazing holiday party, from venues and activities to entertainment and dining.
Does ordering pizzas to the office actually sound fun? Maybe for lunch on a Tuesday, but when it comes to your holiday party, it’s better to get a little creative.
You don’t have to invest top dollar into a luxury experience—though that’s always a fun option—you just have to do a little thinking on what would create a memorable time of connection and celebration.
Explore these lists of ideas to help you discover what might work well for your company’s holiday party.
Venue ideas for a corporate holiday party
Hotel Ballroom
Elegant and spacious, hotel ballrooms are ideal for large corporate gatherings with accommodation options for out-of-town guests.
Example Venue: "Grand Park Hotel Ballroom" - A luxurious hotel with a grand ballroom, perfect for hosting a festive corporate holiday event.
Historic Mansion
If you're looking for a touch of sophistication and charm, historic mansions offer a unique setting for a memorable holiday party.
Example Venue: "The Jefferson Manor" - A beautifully restored 19th-century mansion, providing an elegant and historic ambiance for your corporate holiday celebration.
Rooftop Terrace
Rooftop venues offer stunning views of the city skyline and create a chic, modern atmosphere for a trendy holiday event.
Example Venue: "Skyview Terrace Lounge" - An upscale rooftop venue with breathtaking views, perfect for hosting a stylish corporate holiday party.
Art Gallery
For a creative and inspiring setting, art galleries provide a unique backdrop that fosters conversation and networking.
Example Venue: "Canvas Art Gallery" - A contemporary gallery space featuring various artworks, providing an artistic touch to your corporate holiday gathering.
Cruise Ship
Hosting the holiday party on a cruise ship allows guests to enjoy both the celebration and a scenic tour.
Example Venue: "Harbor Voyager" - A luxury cruise ship with spacious decks and elegant interiors, offering a memorable corporate holiday experience on the water.
Country Club
Country clubs provide a refined and relaxed atmosphere, often offering outdoor spaces for additional holiday-themed activities.
Example Venue: "Green Hills Country Club" - A prestigious country club with beautifully manicured grounds, offering an exclusive setting for your corporate holiday party.
Brewery or Winery
If your team enjoys craft beer or wine, a brewery or winery offers a laid-back and enjoyable holiday celebration.
Example Venue: "Hopvine Brewery" - A microbrewery with a cozy ambiance and a wide selection of craft beers, creating a fun and casual corporate holiday party experience.
Museum
Museums provide an educational and sophisticated setting, giving guests the opportunity to explore exhibits during the event.
Example Venue: "Metropolitan Museum of Art" - A renowned art museum that offers exclusive event spaces, allowing your corporate holiday party to be surrounded by world-class art.
Beach Resort
For a tropical holiday celebration, beach resorts provide a relaxing and festive environment.
Example Venue: "Sunset Sands Resort" - A beachfront resort with palm-fringed shores, offering a delightful corporate holiday party experience by the sea.
Urban Loft
Urban lofts provide a trendy and modern space, perfect for a contemporary-themed holiday party.
Example Venue: "Urban Loft 42" - A stylish loft venue in the heart of the city, offering an industrial-chic ambiance for your corporate holiday event.
Science Center or Planetarium
Science centers or planetariums offer a unique and educational setting for a holiday celebration, combining entertainment with learning opportunities.
Example Venue: "Galaxy Science Center" - A state-of-the-art science center with interactive exhibits and a planetarium, providing a fascinating and out-of-this-world experience for your corporate holiday party.
Botanical Garden
Botanical gardens offer a tranquil and picturesque setting, creating a unique and festive atmosphere amidst lush greenery and colorful flowers.
Example Venue: "Serenity Botanical Gardens" - A botanical garden with diverse plant collections, providing a serene backdrop for your corporate holiday event.
Ski Lodge
Perfect for a winter-themed holiday celebration, ski lodges offer cozy interiors and access to outdoor activities in snowy landscapes.
Example Venue: "Alpine Peak Lodge" - A rustic ski lodge with a warm and inviting ambiance, providing a delightful experience for your corporate holiday party.
Yacht Club
For a touch of sophistication and luxury, yacht clubs offer a waterfront setting and often feature private boat charters for holiday cruises.
Art Studio
If your team enjoys creativity and hands-on experiences, an art studio provides a fun and interactive setting for holiday celebrations.
Example Venue: "Palette & Canvas Studio" - An art studio with experienced instructors, allowing guests to create their own masterpieces during the corporate holiday event.
Sports Stadium
Sports stadiums offer vast spaces and the excitement of being on the field, making them perfect for large-scale corporate holiday gatherings.
Example Venue: "Champion Field Stadium" - A renowned sports stadium with state-of-the-art facilities, providing an unforgettable experience for your corporate holiday party.
Industrial Warehouse
Industrial warehouses provide a blank canvas to create a trendy and edgy holiday party atmosphere.
Example Venue: "Urban Warehouse Collective" - An industrial-style warehouse with exposed brick walls and high ceilings, offering a chic and versatile space for your corporate holiday event.
Castle or Chateau
For a fairytale-like holiday celebration, castles or chateaus offer a touch of grandeur and historical charm.
Example Venue: "Royal Manor Castle" - A majestic castle with elegant interiors and enchanting gardens, providing a regal setting for your corporate holiday party.
Cooking School
Cooking schools offer a culinary experience where guests can participate in preparing their holiday feast under the guidance of professional chefs.
Example Venue: "Gourmet Culinary Institute" - A renowned cooking school with state-of-the-art kitchens, providing a delightful and interactive corporate holiday party.
Farm or Barn Venue
For a rustic and charming holiday celebration, farm or barn venues offer a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.
Example Venue: "Harvest Moon Farmstead" - A picturesque farm venue with barn facilities, providing a warm and country-style setting for your corporate holiday event.
Activity ideas for a corporate holiday party
Ugly Sweater Contest
Encourage guests to wear their most outrageous and festive ugly sweaters and host a contest to vote for the best/worst ones. Award prizes for the funniest, most creative, and most original sweaters.
Secret Santa Gift Exchange
Organize a Secret Santa gift exchange, where employees draw names and anonymously give gifts to their chosen colleagues. Set a budget for the gifts to keep it fair and enjoyable for everyone.
Holiday Trivia
Create a holiday-themed trivia game to test employees' knowledge of festive traditions, songs, and historical facts. Divide them into teams and offer small prizes to the winning group.
DIY Craft Station
Set up a DIY craft station with supplies for making holiday ornaments, cards, or decorations. This activity allows employees to express their creativity and take home a personalized keepsake.
Photo Booth
Arrange a photo booth with holiday-themed props and backdrops. It's a fantastic way for employees to capture fun and memorable moments during the event.
Karaoke
Host a holiday-themed karaoke session, complete with popular holiday songs and classics. Encourage employees to showcase their singing talents and create a lively atmosphere.
Cookie Decorating
Provide various cookies and an assortment of icing and decorations for employees to decorate their own festive treats. This activity is both enjoyable and delicious.
Virtual Reality Games
If you have the technology available or are willing to rent it, set up virtual reality games or experiences for employees to enjoy during the party. It's a modern and entertaining way to engage the attendees.
Holiday Charades
Play a game of holiday-themed charades, where participants act out festive words or phrases without speaking. It's a great icebreaker and guarantees lots of laughter.
Dance Floor and DJ
Have a dance floor and hire a DJ or a live band to play a mix of holiday tunes and popular hits. Dancing provides a fun way for employees to relax and celebrate together.
Gingerbread House Building
Organize a gingerbread house building competition. Provide pre-made gingerbread kits and let teams compete to create the most impressive edible houses.
Raffle and Giveaways
Arrange a raffle with exciting prizes for employees to win. This adds an element of excitement and appreciation for attending the holiday party.
Holiday Movie Screening
Set up a cozy area with a projector or screen to show holiday movie classics. Let employees vote on their favorite films to be featured.
Virtual Games and Challenges
If the party is held virtually, organize online games and challenges that employees can participate in from their homes, fostering a sense of camaraderie.
Wine or Whiskey Tasting
If your team enjoys alcoholic beverages, host a wine or whiskey tasting session with expert guidance. This can be a sophisticated and enjoyable activity.
Holiday-themed Escape Room
Set up a holiday-themed escape room challenge, where teams work together to solve puzzles and clues to "escape" within a given time. It's a great team-building activity that encourages collaboration and problem-solving.
Fortune Teller or Tarot Card Readings
Hire a professional fortune teller or tarot card reader to provide entertaining and light-hearted readings for interested employees. This adds a unique and mystical element to the party.
Festive Casino Night
Organize a casino night with holiday-themed games like "Blackjack Frost." Use play money or tokens for betting and offer prizes for those with the most winnings.
Holiday Bingo
Create holiday-themed bingo cards with festive symbols or images and host a game of bingo. Offer fun prizes for the first few winners and a grand prize for a blackout bingo.
S'mores Bar and Bonfire
If the venue allows for an outdoor space, set up a s'mores bar with marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate for employees to make their own tasty treats. Then, gather around a cozy bonfire to enjoy the s'mores and engage in casual conversations, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Entertainment ideas for a corporate holiday party
Live Band
Hire a live band to play a mix of holiday songs, classics, and popular hits, encouraging guests to dance and enjoy the live music.
DJ
A skilled DJ can curate a diverse playlist that includes holiday tunes and other music genres to keep the dance floor alive and energized.
Magician/Illusionist
Bring in a professional magician or illusionist to mesmerize the audience with mind-blowing tricks and sleight of hand.
Caricature Artist
Offer guests the chance to have their caricatures drawn, providing a fun and personalized keepsake from the party.
Stand-Up Comedian
Book a professional comedian to provide laughter and entertainment with a comedic performance tailored for the corporate audience.
Dance Performances
Arrange dance performances, such as a professional dance troupe presenting a holiday-themed routine, adding a touch of elegance and excitement.
Mind Reader or Mentalist
Bring in a skilled mentalist who can perform mind-reading tricks and mind-bending illusions to captivate the audience.
Fireworks Display
If the venue allows, end the evening with a spectacular fireworks display to light up the night sky with festive colors.
Celebrity Guest Appearance
Depending on your budget and industry connections, you can invite a celebrity to make a special appearance, give a motivational speech, perform, or even participate in a meet-and-greet session and photo opportunities with attendees.
Food and beverage ideas for a corporate holiday party
Buffet style with multiple food stations
Family-style serving with shared platters
Action stations with live cooking demonstrations
Cocktail party with passed hors d'oeuvres
Food truck or food cart vendors
Interactive food bars (e.g., taco bar, pasta bar)
Chef's table with customized menu
Plated dinner service with multiple courses
Dessert tasting table with assorted treats
Start planning your holiday party
Check out our guide to planning your 2023 holiday party and explore some of our favorite venues.
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