A good Christmas party is about getting people to laugh together, including those who do not normally sit at the same table. The right Christmas party entertainment breaks the ice, gives people something to talk about and keeps the energy up until the dance floor opens. Here are 10 ideas that I have seen work again and again, both at company Christmas parties and private ones.
A quick piece of advice first: the best Fridays and Saturdays in November and December are booked early. If you are planning now, lock in the entertainment as soon as the date is set.
1. Comedy magic that brings the whole room together
A stage show of 20–30 minutes in which the audience is involved is one of the surest ways to bring everyone together. The combination of magic and humour works because everyone can follow along, even those who do not know each other. Read more about my stand-up comedy magic show.
2. The magical beer show
One of my most popular acts for Christmas parties is the beer show, in which beer is tapped from the stomach of a volunteer from the audience. It is absurd, it is funny, and people talk about it for weeks afterwards. The act has been performed in front of thousands of magicians at the world championships. Read the story here.
3. Close-up magic at the tables
Between the courses, the magician goes round performing magic right next to the guests, with cards, coins and borrowed objects. It requires no stage and works perfectly in a function room or a restaurant.
4. Father Christmas and magician together
For Christmas parties with children, or for a Christmas party that is allowed to be a little silly, Father Christmas is a hit. I work with an experienced, professional Father Christmas, so you can book Father Christmas and a magician together for children’s Christmas parties and Christmas lunches.
5. Ventriloquist with a human as the dummy
A guest is brought up and turned into the “dummy” while the ventriloquist provides the voice. It is an act in which colleagues laugh at each other in the good way. See more about the ventriloquist act.
6. Christmas quiz with teams across departments
A quiz with questions about the company, the colleagues and the events of the year is cheap to make and quickly creates a sense of community. Mix the teams so people get to know new faces.
7. The parcel game with a twist
The classic Danish parcel game with dice, but with a time limit and a rule that all parcels must be swapped at the end. Set a spending limit so nobody feels cheated.
8. Magical team building before the meal
If you hold the Christmas party straight after a working day, a short workshop in which the staff learn a magic trick and perform it for each other can be a fun start. Read about magical team building.
9. Sing-along with new lyrics
Write new verses to well-known Christmas songs about the highlights of the year at the company. It only costs a little time, and it often becomes the most shared video of the evening.
10. DJ or band to finish
Once the entertainment has loosened up the atmosphere, people are ready to dance. Plan the transition so there is no gap between the show and the music.
How to put the programme together
- Welcome and starter: Close-up magic at the tables breaks the ice.
- After the main course: The stage show. The guests are full but not yet tired.
- Coffee and dessert: Quiz or parcel game.
- The rest of the evening: Music and dancing.
Avoid scheduling the show late in the evening. After 10–11 pm it is hard to get the full attention of a whole room.
What do you need for a Christmas party show?
A stage show requires about 2 × 3 metres of free space in front of the guests. With more than about 30 guests there should be a microphone and speaker, which I can bring by arrangement. I perform in Danish and English, so international colleagues can join in too.
Would you like the entertainment sorted for this year’s Christmas party? Call +45 22 32 19 52 or get a no-obligation quote. You will find more ideas in the guide to entertainment for corporate parties.