The best office Christmas party ideas get everyone involved early in the evening: an activity or entertainment that breaks the ice between departments, a good meal, and something people will talk about on Monday. Close-up magic, a festive activity like ice skating, a themed dinner and a well-timed party with music cover all of that.
In short
- Break the ice in the first hour, while people are still in their department groups.
- Pick one memorable moment, such as a magician, an activity or a surprise, rather than lots of small extras.
- Make it easy for everyone to join in: non-drinkers, remote staff and people who hate dancing.
- Book your venue and entertainment early. December Fridays go first.
I’ve performed at hundreds of Christmas parties over the last 20 years, from small team dinners to company parties for several hundred people. The ones that work best all have one thing in common: within the first half hour, people from different teams are laughing together. Here are the ideas that get you there.
1. Book entertainment that comes to your guests
The first hour of a Christmas party is the awkward bit. People arrive in their usual groups, stand near the people they sit next to all year, and wait for the drinks to work. Entertainment that moves around the room changes that straight away.
Close-Up magic and mind reading
A close-up magician performs for small groups as they mingle, with their own phones, rings and playing cards. Every group gets its own moment, and suddenly people who have never spoken are comparing notes on how it was done. It works just as well between courses at dinner. If you’re planning one, see my Christmas party magician page for how it works on the night.
Other roaming entertainment
- Caricaturists, who give guests something to take home.
- A photo booth with festive props, ideal for the later part of the night.
- Live acoustic music during the drinks reception, before the DJ takes over.
2. Start with a festive activity
An activity before dinner gives the team something to do together, and gives quieter people something to talk about besides work.
- Ice skating. Outdoor rinks such as Skate at Somerset House in London offer group bookings, and falling over is the best ice-breaker there is.
- Escape rooms. Mixed teams from different departments, with a small prize for the winners.
- Cocktail or wreath-making masterclasses. Creative, relaxed and good for smaller teams.
- A Christmas quiz. Cheap, easy and surprisingly competitive.
3. Make the dinner part of the party
A sit-down dinner is where most office parties either come alive or go quiet. A few small touches make a big difference:
- Mix the seating plan so departments sit together, not apart.
- Crackers, hats and terrible jokes, because they still work every single year.
- Table magic between courses, so every table gets its own performance while plates are cleared.
- Short speeches. Thank people, give out a few light-hearted awards, and get back to the party.
4. Pick a theme people will actually dress up for
A theme gives people permission to have fun, as long as it’s easy to join in. The best ones are low effort:
- Christmas jumper party, with a prize for the worst jumper.
- Casino night, with fun-money tables and a prize for the biggest winner.
- 1920s or Great Gatsby, which suits grand hotel ballrooms.
- Winter wonderland, where the venue does most of the work.
5. Include everyone
The best Christmas parties work for the whole team, not just the people who stay until the end.
- Remote and hybrid staff: run a short online celebration as well, such as a quiz or an online magic show on Zoom or Teams, so nobody misses out.
- Non-drinkers: good alcohol-free cocktails, not just orange juice.
- Families: a daytime party or festive lunch can be easier for people with caring responsibilities.
- Getting home: share transport options in advance, or book taxis for late finishes.
6. Add a charity element
A raffle, a charity auction or a collection for a local cause gives the party a bit of meaning. Many teams use a few minutes of the evening to choose next year’s charity, which gets everyone involved.
When to book your office Christmas party
December books up fast, especially the first three Fridays. As a rough timeline:
- By September: choose your date and book the venue.
- By October: book entertainment. Popular magicians, bands and DJs are often booked months ahead for December.
- By November: send invitations, collect dietary requirements and plan the running order.
- The week before: confirm timings with the venue and your entertainment.
More advice from Matt
About Matt Parro
Matt is a multi-award-winning close-up magician and mind reader who has performed at hundreds of Christmas parties over more than 20 years, for clients including Google, HSBC and Amazon. He performs across London, the UK and internationally.