Corporate Holiday Party Entertainment Ideas (Beyond Just a DJ)
Corporate holiday party ideas that get people talking: silent disco, roaming photo booths, games, lighting and a DJ who reads the room. Charlotte, NC.
The company holiday party has a tough job. It needs to thank people for a long year, bring together teams who barely see each other, and be fun for everyone from the new hire to the CEO. And it usually has to happen on a Thursday in December when everyone is tired.
The good news: a few smart entertainment choices can turn a polite dinner into the party people talk about in January. Here are ideas we've seen work at Charlotte company parties, plus a few planning tips.
Start with a DJ who reads the room
A corporate crowd isn't a wedding crowd. Some people want to dance the whole time. Others want to talk, network and enjoy dinner. A good corporate DJ plays background music while guests arrive and eat, then reads the room and gets people out of their seats once the last course hits the table.
One client described it like this after a convention: "the music was on point and the vibe was exactly what we were hoping for: fun, engaging, and kept everyone on their feet."
Try a silent disco
A silent disco is a great way to break the ice at your company party. Your guests put on wireless headphones and choose their music channel. It's a party within a party: people who are a little shy about dancing tend to loosen up when they're in their own headphones, and it's hilarious to watch a room full of people singing different songs.
Silent disco packages come with 50 or 100 headphones, so your guests can pick from up to three music channels. You'll want a dedicated assistant to check headphones in and out.
When Dimensional Fund Advisors celebrated a company milestone at The Revelry at Camp North End, we brought a DJ, a silent disco set and lighting that transformed the space. Corporate events that don't feel corporate:
Let the photo booth find your guests
A photo booth is a natural fit for a company party, especially one where people from different departments don't know each other well. A few options:
- The Social Booth roams through the crowd capturing photos, boomerangs and GIFs that send instantly to phones. No waiting in line.
- A 360 Booth turns each guest into the star of a slow-motion video.
- A Mirror Booth lets guests pose, sign and snap photos with an interactive full-length mirror.
- An AI Booth transforms guests into custom characters or themed designs.
At SoFi's holiday party, guests lined up for slow-motion videos on the 360 spinner booth while the roaming booth kept snapping candid moments all over the room.
Add games people actually want to play
Not everyone wants to dance, and that's fine. Give them something else to do:
- LED ping pong for a little friendly competition
- Glow limbo led by the MC
Set the mood with lighting
Lighting is what makes a hotel ballroom or office space feel like a party. Uplighting in your brand colors or holiday colors, a custom monogram with your company logo, and moving heads over the dance floor change the whole room. Pin spot lighting on centerpieces adds a polished touch.
Moving heads are especially useful at company parties because they do two jobs. During awards and speeches they act as elegant spotlights. When it's time to dance, they switch to high-energy dance floor lighting.
Plan one "moment"
Give the party a peak. It might be an award presentation with spotlights, a CEO toast, or a big entrance on the dance floor with indoor cold sparks. Dancing on the Clouds creates a low-lying cloud effect across the dance floor that looks great in photos and video.
Planning tips for December
- Pick the right date for your team. Early December or even January can be easier for attendance.
- Keep the program short. A few quick thank-yous and awards, then let people enjoy the party.
- Think about remote teams. If part of your company can't attend, a short live stream of the program can include them.
- Have one point of contact. One team handling sound, lighting, entertainment and photo booths means fewer moving parts for you.
FAQ
How much does a DJ cost for a corporate holiday party? It depends on the length of the event, the size of the room and what you add, like lighting or a photo booth. Every ATG quote is custom and includes setup, breakdown, planning and travel.
Do you keep the music workplace-appropriate? Yes. You can set "do not play" lists ahead of time, and your DJ keeps the music right for a professional crowd.
What are good entertainment ideas for a company party? A DJ who reads the room, a silent disco, a roaming photo booth, games like LED ping pong and glow limbo, and lighting that transforms the space.
When should we book for December? As early as possible. December dates fill up fast.
Let's plan your holiday party
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