The Top Holiday Party Entertainment Ideas for 2024

What's a party without some entertainment?
Brittany Anderson

Brittany Anderson

Editor

It’s the greatest time of year—holiday party season. Whether you’re planning an office holiday party, or a get together with family and friends, you’ll want to make sure it’s the best yet. These holiday party entertainment ideas will ensure your guests have a memorable end of year celebration.

If you’re ready to book holiday party entertainment, you’ve come to the right place. Here on The Bash, booking party vendors and entertainers is easy.  And, the best part? We've put together our list of our top holiday party entertainment ideas for your 2024 celebrations.

Pro Tip: Holiday booking starts as early as September. Don’t miss out on booking the perfect holiday party entertainment for your event!

Santa Visit

A Visit from SantaPhoto: Rich Kringle/TheBash

When it comes to the holidays, a visit from Santa is exciting for kids and adults alike. Everyone loves an appearance from jolly ole’ Saint Nick. Book a Santa to visit your holiday party for photo opportunities, to hand out gifts, or to read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. If you’re lucky, Santa may even bring Mrs. Claus too.

Find a Santa

Ugly Sweater Contest

Ugly Christmas Sweater ContestPhoto: Roman Samborskyi/shutterstock.com

If you’re looking for something to make your holiday party fun and a little more casual, consider an ugly sweater contest. This can work for all holidays and you can even offer prizes for the best, funniest, or most unique ugly sweater.

Live Music

DJ at a Holiday PartyPhoto: Jaw Knee Yeah/The Bash

There’s nothing better than some good music to get you and your guests into the holiday spirit. Hire a live band, solo musician, or a DJ to play holiday tunes and popular songs to keep the vibes lively or get guests on the dance floor.

Christmas Carolers

Christmas CarolersPhoto: Christmas Matters Holiday Carolers/The Bash

It’s not a holiday celebration without some Christmas carols (or holiday songs in general). Have a caroling session where guests can gather to sing traditional holiday songs together. For office Christmas parties, consider hiring some local Christmas Carolers to come sing songs while guests mingle.

Find Christmas Carolers

Festive Photo Booth

Holiday Photo BoothPhoto: Maglara/shutterstock.com

Book a photo booth that offers holiday-themed props and decorative backgrounds. This type of holiday party entertainment can also double as a party favor for guests. Everyone will love to take home their prints and have these memories for years to come.

Find a Photo Booth

A Fun Theme

Holiday Party ThemesPhoto: Monkey Business Images/shutterstock.com

Who says a holiday party can’t have a theme? Theme parties add an extra level of excitement and allow guests and party hosts to get creative with outfits, accessories, decorations, and more. 

Pro Tip: We love a Grinch themed party or Polar Express themed party for a 2023 event.

Holiday Karaoke

Holiday KaraokePhoto: Impact Photography/shutterstock.com

What’s better than holiday music? Set up a karaoke machine with a selection of holiday songs and greatest hits. You can also hire a professional karaoke DJ and let them provide the tunes, lyrics, speakers, and microphone.

Gift Exchange

Holiday Gift Exchange - Secret SantaPhoto: DC Studio/shutterstock.com

A gift exchange is a fun holiday party entertainment idea that gives guests a chance to spread some holiday cheer. Secret Santa is always a crowd favorite and a fun way to surprise friends and family with a treat guests know they’ll love.

Pro Tip: If you’re looking to have gifts at a corporate Christmas party (where guests may not know everyone in attendance), you can opt for a White Elephant Gift Exchange. 

Food Truck

Food Truck for a Holiday PartyPhoto: AlessandroBiascioli/shutterstock.com

A food truck is a great way to combine your food option with some holiday party entertainment. Whether you go with a standard food truck or a specialty that serves unique coffee or mini donuts, your guests will love it.

Find a Food Truck

Holiday Trivia 

Holiday TriviaPhoto: Monkey Business Images/shutterstock.com

Host a holiday-themed trivia game, with questions related to Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanza traditions, popular holiday movies, and historical facts. This is a great idea for a company holiday party and a way to get all guests involved and interacting with each other.

Cookie Decorating

Holiday Cookie DecoratingPhoto: Flotsam/shutterstock.com

Have a cookie decorating station with plain cookies, various colored icing, and edible decorations. Guests of all ages will enjoy this entertainment idea that also can double as a dessert station.

Magician or Illusionist

Magician Holiday Party EntertainmentPhoto: Matias Letelier/The Bash

Hire a magician or illusionist to perform mind-boggling tricks that will keep guests entertained and excited. You can also hire a performer who does strolling magic and tricks while guests are mingling and chatting amongst themselves.

Holiday Movie Marathon

Holiday Movie MarathonPhoto: FTiare/shutterstock.com

If your party is more laid back and casual, you can set up a cozy movie corner with classic holiday films that guests can watch throughout the party. If you’re looking for something to play in the background, you can set up a projector or movie screen rental to project holiday classics on an empty wall.

Fortune Teller

Fortune TellerPhoto: vimolsiri.s/shutterstock.com

Bring in a fortune teller or tarot card reader for guests who are interested in exploring mystical and entertaining aspects of the holiday party. What better way to get ready for the new year, than to take a look into the future.

Find a Fortune Teller

Hot Chocolate Bar

Hot Chocolate BarPhoto: Arina P Habich/shutterstock.com

Set up a table with hot cocoa, marshmallows, whipped cream, candies, and other toppings. Guests can choose a mug and add their favorite toppings. You can also add an option to spike hot chocolate with different spirits and alcohol.

Classic Games

Classic Games for Holiday Party EntertainmentPhoto: DGLimages/shutterstock.com

Organize fun games like charades or Pictionary with a holiday twist. For a corporate holiday party, games can be played in groups which will encourage team building while having some fun. 

Christmas Themed Storytelling

Christmas Themed StorytellingPhoto: Lucky Business/shutterstock.com

Set up a cozy area with a virtual or real fireplace where guests can share holiday stories, reminisce, or even read festive tales aloud. You can really kick it up a notch this holiday season and hire a professional storyteller to come read to guests little and big.

Find more holiday party ideas here on The Bash.

Published on 9/12/2024