Nobody wants to plan the holiday party that everyone sits through politely before slipping out early. If you’ve been put in charge of your company’s holiday party, you’re probably wondering how to make it a night people will talk about long after the decorations come down.
In this guide, Kande Photo Booths shares 14 corporate holiday party entertainment ideas that bring people together and make your festive celebration one to remember.
How to Choose Entertainment for Your Corporate Holiday Party
Whether you call it a holiday party or a company Christmas party, the right corporate Christmas party entertainment depends on your guest list, venue, budget, and the atmosphere you want to create. Start by answering these questions:
- How many guests are coming? Large groups need entertainment that runs continuously and can handle a lot of people, like a photo booth or live music.
- How much space will you have? Is the party taking place in your office, or are you booking a venue? Double-check the floor plan, ceiling height, and power supply. An open-air or roaming photo booth works almost anywhere, while entertainment that needs a larger setup might not fit every space.
- Who will be coming? A good corporate party entertainment lineup caters to everyone in the room. Mix active options, like games or karaoke, with low-pressure ones, like photo booths and food stations, so quieter guests have something to enjoy too.
1. Branded Photo Booth
A classic photo booth rental never gets old, and it’s a crowd-pleaser for a reason. It gives colleagues an easy way to start talking and gather together for a photo. Add your company branding, and it becomes a core part of your event. At Kande Photo Booths, we design photo frames and strips with your company logo, a holiday theme, and the date, so every printed photo is a keepsake.
If you want something that works for every personality, from introverts to extroverts, a photo booth is a great choice. Guests can take prints home for their desks, and digital sharing puts the photos on their phones right away.
2. AI Sketch Robot
Give your team a personalized party favor with an AI sketch robot. This interactive experience uses a robotic arm to draw each guest’s portrait as a line sketch while they watch. In just 60 seconds, guests have a one-of-a-kind drawing to take home. It’s a great conversation starter and offers something a little different for colleagues who enjoy technology and personalized experiences.
3. Roaming Photo Booth
Not every guest wants to leave the dance floor or step away from a conversation to visit a static photo booth. That’s where a roaming photo booth comes in. A roaming attendant with a handheld photo booth moves around the venue, capturing moments as they happen. It’s an easy way to get more people involved, with no lines or fixed installations.
Roaming photo booths work particularly well at large or busy events, and at venues where guests move between different rooms.
4. Festive Trading Cards
Turn your colleagues into the stars of their own custom trading cards, created and printed on-site. Each card features professional photography, a personalized name field, and a branded design tailored to your event, including festive holiday themes. Trading cards add a personal touch and are particularly effective at getting colleagues to mingle, as guests compare, collect, and swap cards with their teammates.
5. Live Band or DJ
No corporate holiday party is complete without music. Whether you choose a live band or a DJ, confirm volume limits and setup times with your venue ahead of time, and keep speakers away from conversation areas.
6. AI Photo Booth
An AI photo booth puts a modern twist on the traditional photo booth, using facial recognition technology to place guests into immersive, custom-generated AI scenes. Depending on the scenes you choose, guests might find themselves at the North Pole or in Santa’s workshop. It’s an entertaining, unique way to capture the occasion, and it gets people talking and sharing their creations.
7. Holiday Trivia Showdown
A holiday trivia quiz is a fun way to get people talking and bring out their competitive side. Include a mix of holiday movie questions, seasonal music rounds, general knowledge, and company-themed questions.
Trivia works best for smaller companies, with guests split into teams of around five people. You’ll also need a good host to keep things moving and encourage participation.
8. 360° Photo Booth
If you want a real showstopper for your corporate holiday party entertainment, a 360 photo booth is well worth considering. Up to five guests at a time step onto a platform while a camera rotates around them, capturing dynamic 360° videos that are ready to share on social media. Each video can include effects such as slow motion and boomerang (reverse), and you can add confetti or a fog machine for an even bigger moment.
9. Festive Scavenger Hunt
Get your team moving with a festive scavenger hunt. Create a list of items to find or photo challenges to complete around the venue. Teams could track down a hidden Christmas decoration or snap a photo of themselves recreating a holiday scene.
The great thing about this idea is that it doubles as a team-building activity, helping colleagues warm up and get talking to each other.
10. Gingerbread House Decorating
For a slower-paced, more creative activity, set up a gingerbread house decorating station. Provide pre-baked gingerbread pieces, icing, and a selection of candy and edible decorations. Guests can work in teams or on their own to create the most impressive design.
11. Mix-Your-Own Cocktail and Mocktail Bar
A mix-your-own cocktail and mocktail bar gives guests the chance to create their own drinks. Provide a range of ingredients and recipe cards for inspiration, so everyone can make a festive drink that suits their taste. Make sure the alcohol-free options are just as appealing as the cocktails, and if alcohol is served, use professional bartenders to keep things responsible.
12. Karaoke
Nothing breaks the ice like karaoke. Watching colleagues belt out their favorite songs is a great way to get people laughing and having fun. Keep it casual, though, and never pressure anyone to perform.
13. Secret Santa
Secret Santa is a familiar festive favorite that works best for smaller teams and office-based parties. Set a clear spending limit and give everyone enough notice to find something thoughtful.
14. Team Volunteering
Give back to the community by building some charity work into your end-of-year celebrations. A volunteering activity brings people together around a shared purpose, and if you already work closely with a local charity, it’s a great opportunity to strengthen that relationship.
Hybrid and Remote Holiday Party Ideas
If your team works across different offices or from home, you can still plan a corporate holiday get-together that feels inclusive. Here are a few ideas:
- Virtual trivia
- Remote gift exchange
- Online games
- Ugly Christmas sweater day
- Virtual scavenger hunt
- Collaborative Spotify playlist
Tips for Booking Corporate Holiday Party Entertainment
December is one of the busiest months of the year for corporate events, so planning early is the best way to secure the entertainment you want. Here are our top tips for booking your corporate holiday party entertainment:
1. Set Your Budget
First, decide how much you want to invest, then focus on the experiences that will have the biggest impact on how much your colleagues enjoy the event.
2. Book Early
Popular dates and entertainment providers book up quickly during the holiday season. Start inquiring as soon as your event date and venue are confirmed.
3. Confirm Logistics
Confirm setup and teardown times, power access, floor space, and any venue restrictions before booking your entertainment.
4. Ask About Personalization
If branded or customizable experiences are available, discuss templates, logos, colors, and other design options with your provider in advance.
5. Make It Easy to Participate
Offer a mix of activities for a range of personalities, so everyone feels involved and can take part comfortably.
Book Photo Booth Entertainment for Your Holiday Party
Make your corporate holiday party one to remember. Kande Photo Booths has run over 2,000 events, from small office parties to large brand activations. Our team handles everything from setup to staffing and branding, so all you have to do is enjoy the party.
Explore our full range of experiences, or get a quote for your event.