How to Plan a Company Holiday Party People Actually Want to Attend
Everyone has been to the holiday party where people show up, eat, stand around and leave by 9. It does not have to be that way. With a little planning, your company party can be the night your team talks about until next year.
Book early, especially for December
Holiday party season fills up fast. Venues, DJs and entertainment for December Fridays and Saturdays are often booked by late summer. If you are planning now, lock in your date first and build everything else around it.
Make the room feel like a party
The first thing guests notice is how the room feels. Lighting does more than decorations ever will.
Uplighting in your brand colors turns a ballroom or office into an event space
Your logo in light on the dance floor or a wall makes it feel custom
Dance floor lighting tells everyone the party has started
Give people something to do besides stand around
Not everyone wants to dance right away. The best holiday parties give guests easy ways to join in.
A photo booth with branded prints gets teams laughing together
Casino tables with professional dealers and real casino-style chips turn coworkers into friendly rivals
Event games like giant Jenga and cornhole keep the cocktail hour lively
Plan the program, then keep it short
Awards and a few words from leadership matter. A 45 minute program does not. Keep speeches tight, give your MC the run of show and move into the celebration while the energy is high.
Hire entertainment that reads the room
A holiday party crowd is mixed: new hires and veterans, every age and every music taste. An experienced DJ/MC keeps the music clean and on brand, handles the announcements and builds the dance floor at the right pace. That takes a lot of stress off whoever is hosting.
Save a big moment for the end
Give people a reason to stay. A last-song moment with cold sparks or a big award reveal keeps the room full until the final song.
Handle the details early
Your venue will likely want a certificate of insurance, and your accounting team will want an invoice and a W-9. Get both sorted before December gets busy.
Keep reading
Still need a date for your holiday party?
See our corporate packages and check your date before December fills up.
