‍Remote workers are 31% more engaged than their on-site counterparts, but only when connection is intentional. Planning a virtual holiday party that brings your distributed team together is more than scheduling a video call during the holiday season. It requires designing experiences that create genuine connections.

The challenge with most virtual holiday events is ensuring your holiday party doesn't feel like another meeting. Only 33% of companies hold simple team-building activities like virtual coffee breaks, yet 83% of companies report improved global perspective as the most beneficial outcome of virtual team building.

This guide shares 35 proven holiday party ideas that transform screens into celebrations, organized by what works for remote team engagement. From virtual holiday party games that spark the festive spirit to company holiday party traditions adapted for remote teams, these ideas will help you create the best virtual holiday party your team has ever experienced.

Why Virtual Holiday Parties Need Intentional Design

Traditional office party celebrations rely on proximity: people naturally mingle, conversations happen organically, and energy builds through shared space. Virtual holiday office party events require a different approach to capture that same holiday spirit.

51% of employees are disengaged, while 13% are actively disengaged. But data shows that intentional engagement activities can flip this script. 80% of employees say learning and development opportunities would help them feel more engaged, and virtual holiday events are perfect vehicles for this kind of connection.

When done right, your virtual holiday celebration can strengthen team bonds just as effectively as any in-person event while supporting your broader company culture goals.

Virtual holiday party games

Virtual holiday party games work best when they're easy to join, quick to understand, and create moments for authentic interaction between remote team members.

Competitive team games

1. Holiday trivia tournament

This holiday game divides party guests into breakout rooms of 4 to 5 people. Mix holiday knowledge with company-specific questions to celebrate your unique company culture. Include multimedia rounds with holiday movie clips and holiday music snippets.

Pro tip: Create different difficulty levels so everyone can participate. Consider adding icebreaker games between trivia rounds to keep energy high.

2. Virtual escape room challenge

Book a holiday-themed version of an escape room designed for remote teams through platforms like The Escape Game or Outback Team Building. Groups of 6-8 work together to solve puzzles in this virtual event. Collaborative problem-solving fosters relationships while embracing the holiday spirit.

3. Holiday bingo: Company edition

Create bingo cards mixing holiday traditions with workplace inside jokes for your virtual office holiday party. Include squares like "has holiday lights visible on camera" and "mentions Q4 deadlines during party."

4. Festive Pictionary relay

Teams take turns drawing holiday-themed prompts in this game. Add company-specific categories like "office traditions" or "team achievements from this year" to strengthen team bonds.

5. Holiday scavenger hunt

Give teams 10 minutes to find specific items around their homes in a virtual scavenger hunt. Include categories like "ugliest holiday decoration" and "most festive snack" for friendly competition.

Interactive entertainment games

6. Holiday karaoke championship

Use virtual karaoke apps or share screens with YouTube karaoke videos for your virtual holiday party. Create themed rounds like "Worst Performance" for extra laughs and friendly competition.

7. Virtual dance party

Create a collaborative holiday playlist ahead of your virtual holiday event. Turn on the cameras and have a dance party to holiday music and team favorites.

8. Holiday movie trivia

Mix classic Christmas movie questions with recent releases for this holiday-themed game. Include visual rounds using movie stills and audio clips from classic holiday movies.

9. Team talent show

Invite remote team members to share special skills: musical instruments, magic tricks, poetry, or unique hobbies during your virtual party.

Guessing games & collaborative activities

10. Two truths and a lie: Holiday edition

Share three holiday-related statements about yourself during your virtual holiday party. Teams guess which is false while learning surprising facts about colleagues in this guessing game.

11. Holiday "Would you rather?"

Present entertaining dilemmas like "Would you rather eat only fruitcake for a week or listen to only Christmas music until February?" for your virtual event.

12. Virtual Secret Santa reveal

If you organized a secret Santa gift exchange, make the reveal part of your virtual entertainment with creative presentation challenges and holiday gift unboxing.

Virtual holiday food & drink ideas

Shared food experiences create some of the strongest team bonds, especially during a company party.

Cooking & baking together

13. Mulled wine making session

Send ingredient lists ahead of time for this event. Cook together while sharing stories about family holiday traditions, and be sure to include non-alcoholic options as well.

14. Holiday recipe exchange

Have each team member prepare their favorite holiday dish ahead of your party. During the event, each person presents their creation and shares the story behind the recipe.

15. Virtual cocktail hour

Hire a professional mixologist or designate team cocktail experts to teach signature holiday drinks for your virtual office party. Include mocktail options for an inclusive celebration during the holiday season.

16. Cookie decorating workshop

Send cookie decorating kits and host a virtual baking session where remote employees can share techniques and stories while making holiday cookies. This is a fun way to blend creativity with team-building activities.

17. Gingerbread house building contest

Mail a gingerbread house kit to each team member ahead of your event. Set a 30-minute timer and let creativity run wild in this great holiday party idea. Award prizes for most creative, most structurally sound, and most likely to survive an earthquake.

Tasting & pairing experiences

18. Wine and cheese pairing

Partner with local vendors to create curated tasting boxes for your virtual holiday party. Include tasting notes and pairing guides for an educational experience.

19. Hot chocolate bar

Send gourmet hot chocolate mixes with various toppings to party guests. Create custom blends while catching up with colleagues.

20. Coffee cupping session

For morning holiday party celebrations, explore different coffee blends with a guided tasting experience that brings remote teams together.

21. International Holiday Treats Tasting

Order treats from different cultural holiday traditions and ship them to remote team members. Discover how different cultures celebrate the holidays while enjoying a virtual party together.

Cultural connection & recognition activities

The best virtual holiday party ideas help remote team members get to know each other while celebrating diverse holiday traditions.

Storytelling & cultural sharing

22. Holiday traditions show and tell

Each person shares a meaningful tradition from their family or culture during your holiday party. Create space for questions and cultural exchange that strengthens team bonds.

23. Childhood holiday memory sharing

Use breakout rooms for intimate story sharing during your virtual event. Return to the main video call with highlights that made people laugh or feel connected.

24. Holiday around the world tour

Remote employees present 3-minute "postcards" from their location, sharing local holiday customs, decorations, or foods during this virtual party experience.

25. Gratitude circle

End your virtual holiday celebration by sharing what each person is grateful for about the team this year. Simple but powerful for strengthening team bonds.

Team recognition & celebration

26. Year in review video montage

Compile highlights from team achievements, funny moments, and milestones for your company holiday party. Screen during the virtual holiday event for shared nostalgia and celebration.

27. Peer appreciation awards

Create fun categories like "Best Virtual Background Artist" or "Most Reliable WiFi" for your virtual office party. Let team members nominate and vote in this holiday game.

28. Holiday costume contest

Go beyond the ugly sweater party concept. Encourage creative interpretations of holiday themes, favorite seasonal characters, or winter wonderland looks during your virtual celebration.

Creative holiday experiences

Use digital tools and creative activities to create virtual party experiences that couldn't happen at an in-person event.

Digital innovation activities

29. Virtual office holiday decorating

Use virtual backgrounds or digital collaboration tools to "decorate" shared online spaces together during your virtual office party.

30. Holiday playlist building

Collaborate on a shared holiday playlist with everyone contributing their favorite music. Play and discuss choices during your party.

31. Digital photo booth

Set up virtual photo booth sessions with holiday prompts and backgrounds for your holiday event. Create shared albums for ongoing team memories.

32. Holiday card design challenge

Use virtual whiteboard tools like Miro or Mural for this virtual game. Teams create digital holiday gifts in 15 minutes. Vote on categories like funniest, most artistic, and best use of company branding.

Creative expression & gaming

33. Online gaming tournament

Use platforms like Kahoot, Jackbox Games, or Among Us for structured team gaming with a holiday twist during your virtual party.

34. Virtual gift exchange and unboxing

If budget allows, send small holiday gifts ahead of time to employees. Unbox together during your virtual holiday celebration to share the excitement.

35. Ugly sweater fashion show

Transform your event into an ugly sweater party by turning on cameras for a runway show complete with creative backstories. Add holiday music and commentary for an extra touch of fun.

Planning your virtual party

Pre-event planning

Send Save-the-Dates early: Virtual holiday events are easy to skip, so voluntary participation is key for your holiday party's success.

Gather input on preferences: Survey remote team members about party ideas, dietary restrictions, and time zones. Engagement in your virtual holiday event starts with feeling heard. This approach supports your broader hybrid work strategy by showing flexibility and inclusion.

Plan for different participation styles: Some people enjoy being on camera during virtual activities; others prefer chat participation. Design your holiday party to accommodate different comfort levels.

During your virtual event

Start with structured icebreakers: Virtual holiday parties need more intentional warm-up than office party events. Start with low-stakes, fun games that encourage everyone to talk and embrace the holiday spirit.

Use breakout rooms strategically: Large groups can feel overwhelming on video calls. Rotate smaller groups for more intimate connection opportunities among team members.

Keep energy high with variety: Mix high-energy holiday party games with calmer activities. Transition between different types of engagement every 15-20 minutes during your virtual party.

Post-party follow-up

Share highlights and photos: Send recap emails with photos, videos, and inside jokes from your virtual holiday celebration. Keep the connection going beyond the event.

Gather feedback: Ask what worked well and what could improve for next time in your virtual office holiday party. 50-70% of an employee's work perception is influenced by their direct manager, so show you care about their experience.

Plan regular connection points: Don't wait until next December for your next virtual event. 40% of remote workers miss hanging out with their colleagues. Schedule regular virtual social time throughout the year, or make it happen in person. Consider using event management solutions to streamline planning and maintain consistent team connection.

Measuring success

Track what matters for your virtual holiday party:

• Participation rates: How many people attended your virtual holiday event vs. those invited?
• Camera usage: Were remote teammates comfortable being visible during your virtual party?
• Chat engagement: Did party guests actively participate in text discussions during the video call?
• Breakout room energy: Were smaller group conversations productive during your virtual holiday party?
• Post-event feedback: Would people attend similar virtual holiday events in the future?

Companies with engaged workforces are 83% more likely to report improved global perspective. Your virtual celebration can be a catalyst for year-round team connection and a stronger company culture. For more insights on measuring engagement, explore these employee engagement statistics.

Budget-friendly virtual holiday party ideas

Not every great virtual holiday party requires a big budget. Here are cost-effective approaches for your virtual holiday event:

Free Platform Options

DIY Game Shows: Use free holiday trivia platforms like Kahoot and create your own holiday-themed questions.

Collaborative Playlists: Use music platforms like Spotify for shared holiday music entertainment during your virtual party.

Free Virtual Backgrounds: Create themed digital environments without physical setup for your virtual office using Zoom backgrounds or Teams backgrounds

Low-cost participation ideas

Potluck style: Ask everyone to bring their own snacks and drinks to the virtual party.
User-generated content: Let team members lead holiday team-building activities based on their skills. BYOB (Bring Your Own Baking): Host cookie decorating with supplies people already have at home.

Making every holiday inclusive

Design virtual holiday celebrations that welcome everyone:

• Acknowledge Multiple Traditions: Include Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, and New Year celebrations in your virtual holiday party.
• Offer Non-Religious Options: Frame virtual party activities around winter themes rather than specific holidays.
• Consider Global Time Zones: Record activities for remote employees who can't attend your virtual holiday event live.
• Respect Different Comfort Levels: Provide multiple ways to participate in holiday party ideas without pressure during your virtual party.

Next steps: put it into practice

The most successful virtual holiday party ideas happen when connection is intentional, not accidental. Start planning your best virtual holiday party now:

1. Survey your team about preferred party ideas and timing for your virtual holiday event
2. Choose 3-5 activities from different categories of virtual holiday party games above
3. Set a date during the holiday season that works for most remote team members
4. Plan your technology setup and test everything in advance for your virtual party
5. Create excitement with themed invitations and pre-party communication about your virtual holiday celebration

Remember: 29% of fully remote workers are engaged, surpassing the 20% engagement rate of their on-site counterparts. Your virtual holiday office party can be the kind of intentional engagement that makes the difference in strengthening team bonds.

Virtual holiday party ideas FAQ

What are virtual holiday parties?

Virtual holiday parties are online celebrations held over video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet during the holiday season. These virtual events include holiday-themed games, team-building activities, and festive experiences designed to bring distributed teams together for meaningful connections.

How much do virtual holiday parties cost?

Virtual holiday party costs vary widely. DIY options using free platforms like Kahoot or Zoom backgrounds can cost under $50 total. Mid-range parties with shipped supplies (gingerbread house kits, cocktail ingredients) typically cost $15-30 per person. Professional virtual event companies charge $10-50 per person, depending on the experience complexity.

How long should a virtual holiday party last?

Most successful virtual holiday events last 60-90 minutes. Shorter than 60 minutes feels rushed and doesn't allow for meaningful connection. Longer than 90 minutes leads to Zoom fatigue and declining participation. The sweet spot is 75 minutes with varied activities every 15-20 minutes.

What platforms work best for virtual holiday parties?

Zoom is the most popular choice due to its breakout room functionality and screen sharing capabilities. Microsoft Teams works well for companies already using it daily. Google Meet is simple but lacks advanced features. For gaming, platforms like Kahoot, Jackbox Games, or specialized event platforms offer enhanced interactivity.

How many people can attend a virtual holiday party?

Most video conferencing platforms support 100+ participants, but optimal engagement happens with smaller groups. For an intimate connection, limit to 25-30 people. For larger companies, consider multiple smaller parties or use breakout rooms to create smaller group experiences within larger events.

When is the best time to host virtual holiday parties?

Schedule virtual holiday events during regular working hours to maximize participation. Tuesday through Thursday, 2-4 PM works well in most time zones. Avoid Mondays (a busy start to the week), Fridays (early weekend departures), and late December dates when people typically have time off.

How do you keep people engaged during virtual holiday parties?

Keep remote team members engaged through a variety of activities, interactive elements, and breakout rooms. Mix high-energy games with calmer activities, encourage camera usage, use chat features actively, and transition between different types of engagement every 15-20 minutes to prevent virtual fatigue.

What supplies should you send for virtual holiday parties?

Popular supply options include gingerbread house kits, cookie decorating supplies, cocktail ingredients, hot chocolate mixes, or holiday-themed craft materials. Send supplies 3-5 days before the virtual event. Include simple instructions and consider dietary restrictions when planning food items.

How do you make virtual holiday parties inclusive?

Create inclusive virtual holiday celebrations by acknowledging multiple traditions (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice), offering non-religious winter themes, accommodating different time zones with recordings, and providing multiple participation options for varying comfort levels with video calls.

Can virtual holiday parties replace in-person office parties?

Virtual holiday parties serve different purposes than in-person events. While they can't fully replicate physical presence, they excel at fostering intentional connection, including geographically distributed teams, and accommodating different schedules. Many companies find success with hybrid approaches, alternating between virtual and in-person celebrations.

Transform your workplace strategy beyond the holidays

Planning great virtual events is just one piece of optimizing your hybrid workplace. Gable helps you create intentional engagement opportunities year-round, from managing coworking access for distributed teams to optimizing your office utilization.