Christmas Party Games That Are Sure to Keep Your Guests Entertained
Brittany Barber
Contributor
On the hunt for Christmas party games? If you’re hosting a holiday gathering and want to make sure it’s a hit, you’re in the right place. While Christmas party ideas and planning tend to center mostly on food and décor, throwing in a few Christmas party games, activities and entertainment can take it up a notch.
Whether you’re planning a cozy house party or a big office bash (we have corporate holiday party ideas too), these fun Christmas party activities are festive, funny and slightly unhinged (in the best way). Below, you’ll find crowd-tested Christmas party games for adults, creative activities and fun entertainment ideas to consider for your upcoming holiday party. Go ahead and take note of these!
Christmas Party Games
Photo: Getty Images
Christmas party games are the fastest way to turn a group of polite guests into competitive holiday gremlins. These games for Christmas parties work especially well once drinks are flowing, but they’re fun even without liquid courage. Here are some ways to get the party started this Christmas.
Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest
Turn the dress code into a whole other thing by having an ugly Christmas sweater contest. Encourage guests to thrift or DIY an over-the-top festive crewneck and vote on whose is the absolute worst. You could take this a step further and make it an ugly Christmas outfit contest, but gauge according to what you feel your guests' commitment levels may be.
Spicy White Elephant
Take the classic gift exchange and add even more chaos into the mix. Go ahead and remove the steal limits, reveal mystery rules mid-game or throw in a round where everyone has to trade the last gift they stole. This version works wonders for adult crowds and corporate settings alike, as long as your guests aren’t overly competitive (consider this a warning, because things can get truly spicy with an amped-up rendition of White Elephant). Looking for gift ideas? Check out these
Christmas Movie Sips
From iconic Home Alone quotes to swooning over Jude Law’s one-liners in The Holiday, this is one of the most popular fun christmas party games for adults. Before pressing play, agree on a short list of moments that trigger a sip (such as mentions of Christmas, romantic clichés, or over-the-top holiday décor), then watch the movie together and sip each time one of those moments happens. Keep drinks light, pause if needed, and adjust the rules as you go so the game stays fun rather than feral. And remember, you can always keep it sober-friendly with sips of hot chocolate.
Guess the Christmas Song
Play five-second clips of holiday hits and make guests shout (or buzz in) with answers. Add bonus points for naming the artist or finishing the lyric. It’s loud, nostalgic, and perfect for mixed-age groups. You could also do this trivia style, and have everyone write their answers out if that’s more the vibe. Check out our Christmas playlist for inspiration.
Holiday Charades
Charades is a classic that never fails to get a room laughing, especially when you ditch the predictable prompts. Swap boring clues for niche categories like “Worst Christmas Gifts,” “Elf on the Shelf Crimes,” or “Overly Festive Neighbors,” and let guests act them out against the clock while teams shout guesses. It’s a guaranteed crowd favorite, whether you’re with the fam, gathering with friends or celebrating with co-workers.
Viral Christmas Game
Pull inspiration straight from TikTok—like this Christmas Game idea that’s been making the rounds. These fast-paced, silly challenges are perfect icebreakers and feel very of-the-moment. And go ahead and use social media to your advantage when it comes to brainstorming Christmas games. There are a lot of unique ideas out there!
Christmas Party Activities
Not everyone loves competitive games, and that’s where Christmas party activities for adults shine. These are more interactive, creative and great for mingling.
DIY Ornament or Gingerbread Bar
Set up a decorating station with ornaments or gingerbread houses, plus plenty of icing, sprinkles, paint pens, ribbons, and festive extras. Guests can decorate at their own pace while mingling, making it great low-pressure entertainment for any age. It’ll double as an activity and a party favor, which everyone will appreciate.
Christmas Mixology Experience
Turn your holiday bar into an experience at your Christmas party. Provide base spirits or mixers, festive garnishes and recipe cards. Encourage everyone to name their creation for an extra layer of fun, or let confident guests freestyle if they’re feeling bold. It’s an easy way to spark conversation, keep people busy and make the bar feel like an activity (not just a pit stop). Looking for inspiration? Check out these festive cocktail recipes.
Holiday Photo Challenge
Instead of basic selfies, give guests a list of themed shots to recreate throughout the night. Something like “Most dramatic gift opening,” and “Best fake smile.” It’s a super fun way to save your memories, plus it’ll do wonders for social sharing. Opt for a photo booth to make it all the more exciting!
Christmas Trivia Stations
Spice up your holiday trivia by turning the game into mini stations around the party, with classic categories like music, movies, pop culture and holiday traditions. Set up each station at a different spot in the room with a small stack of questions, a timer and simple instructions, then let guests rotate at their own pace instead of sitting through one long quiz. This format keeps energy high, encourages mingling and will let your guests jump in and out without any pressure.
Christmas Party Entertainment
If you want your party to feel next-level, it’s time to think about your holiday party entertainment. These ideas work especially well for larger gatherings or office events.
Hire a Holiday Character
A roaming Grinch, Santa, or elf instantly raises the energy and the photo ops. This Grinch appearance is a prime example of how fun it can be. It’s playful, interactive and surprisingly effective at breaking the ice. It works best for big parties, office events and themed nights, or if there will be a decent number of children attending.
Live Music
Hiring a live band or professional DJ who can blend Christmas hits with regular party music keeps the vibe festive without being overly Christmas-y. The best setups mix in holiday classics alongside crowd-pleasing pop, throwbacks or dance tracks so guests don’t feel like they’re trapped inside a department store playlist. Live musicians will add energy and visual interest, while a DJ offers flexibility to read the room and adjust the vibe in real time (so choose accordingly!).
Interactive Emcee or Game Host
An interactive game host or emcee will take the pressure off you as the host, all while keeping the party moving smoothly. These professionals can run trivia, bingo or whatever Christmas party games you have in mind. It’s a good choice if you want a little more structure, and is especially helpful for office parties where participation needs some encouragement.
Surprise Performance Moment
A surprise performance will add a memorable “wow” moment that guests won’t see coming. This could be flash-mob carolers bursting into song or a surprise drag Santa or Grinch character roaming the room. But it’s all in the timing! So don’t drop the ball until the party energy is already up for maximum impact.
Looking for something else? You can find even more Christmas party ideas and inspiration here on The Bash.
